Sexually Transmitted Infections Detected by Multiplex Real Time PCR in Asymptomatic Women and Association with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Nunes

et al. 2023

Rev. Assoc. Med. Bras.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the sociodemographic and clinical profile of women deprived of their liberty and to identify the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and human papillomavirus through self-sampling samples. METHODS: This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study of the prevalence and correlation of the diagnosis of human papillomavirus infection in 268 encarcered women in Amazonas submitted to self-sampling from June 2019 to September 2020 using the genotyping analysis. Patients with positive and inconclusive results were evaluated by commercialized PCR to detect pathogens causing sexually transmitted diseases. The sample size used was based on a convenience sample. RESULTS: In 268 women, human papillomavirus DNA was detected in 87 (32.5%) of them. Sexually transmitted diseases were detected in 30 (34.48%) of the 87 women with a positive or inconclusive result for human papillomavirus. Women with more than three pregnancies had a higher risk of human papillomavirus detection (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of human papillomavirus and other sexually transmitted diseases in encarcered women in Amazonas is 32.5 and 34.48%, respectively. Most women were single (60.4%) and reported having had more than 15 partners (90.8%).

Section: Authors' Contributionsmentioning

confidence: 49%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human papillomavirus prevalence and frequency of sexually transmitted diseases in encarcered women by self-sampling approach

Nunes

et al. 2023

Rev. Assoc. Med. Bras.

“…Delayed treatment increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility (1)(2)(3). Moreover, GCTI increases the risk of acquiring HIV infection, and it may be related to ovarian cancer and cervical cancer (4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Availability of <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> Testing and Its Importance in the Surveillance of Genital Chlamydial Infection

et al. 2021

The reported prevalence of genital chlamydia trachomatis infection (GCTI) in low income countries is much lower than that in high income countries. This study surveyed the prevalence of GCTI in 456 A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t hospitals in Shandong province, China in December 2018. Among the hospitals surveyed, antigen testing, PCR testing, and either antigen or PCR testing were available in 200 (43.9%), 88 (19.3%) and 268 (58.8%) hospitals, respectively. PCR testing was more available in tertiary hospitals than in primary and secondary hospitals (X 2 =28.560, P=0.000).Significant differences were observed in the availability of antigen testing (X 2 =15.708, P=0.003), PCR testing (X 2 =22.494, P=0.000), and either antigen or PCR testing (X 2 =21.729, P=0.000) among different types of hospital. In 2018, 1532 cases of GCTI were reported in 99 hospitals.Tertiary hospitals reported more cases than primary and secondary hospitals (X 2 =24.082, P=0.000). The distribution of different types of hospital that reported GCTI cases was consistent with that of hospitals that provided laboratory testing for GCTI. Antigen and PCR testing were only available in 200 (43.9%) and 88 (19.3%) hospitals, respectively.Results highlighted that the availability of laboratory testing for GCTI in Shandong Province was poor, suggesting that the prevalence of GCTI in the province had been sorely underestimated.

“…Importantly, a possible coinfection with other microorganisms, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) [ 12 , 13 ], Mycoplasma genitalium [ 14 , 15 ], and Neisseria gonorrhoeae [ 16 , 17 ] has been reported. An association between Chlamydia and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia has also been reported [ 18 ]. Indeed, the worst consequences concern women’s health [ 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chlamydia trachomatis as a Current Health Problem: Challenges and Opportunities

Rodrigues

Sousa²,

Vale

2022

Diagnostics

Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infections (STIs) worldwide. It is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), which is an obligate intracellular bacterium. In some cases, it can occur in coinfection with other parasites, increasing the pathologic potential of the infection. The treatment is based on antibiotic prescription; notwithstanding, the infection is mostly asymptomatic, which increases the risk of transmission. Therefore, some countries have implemented Chlamydia Screening Programs in order to detect undiagnosed infections. However, in Portugal, there is no CT screening plan within the National Health Service. There is no awareness in the general healthcare about the true magnitude of this issue because most of the methods used are not Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology-based and, therefore, lack sensitivity, resulting in underreporting infection cases. CT infections are also associated with possible long-term severe injuries. In detail, persistent infection triggers an inflammatory milieu and can be related to severe sequels, such as infertility. This infection could also trigger gynecologic tumors in women, evidencing the urgent need for cost-effective screening programs worldwide in order to detect and treat these individuals adequately. In this review, we have focused on the success of an implemented screening program that has been reported in the literature, the efforts made concerning the vaccine discovery, and what is known regarding CT infection. This review supports the need for further fundamental studies in this area in order to eradicate this infection and we also suggest the implementation of a Chlamydia Screening Program in Portugal.