Female Genital Tract Secretions and Semen Impact the Development of Microbicides for the Prevention of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections

ABSTRACT To identify topical antimicrobial preparations which may be effective in preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, we examined the activity of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) against Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydial elementary bodies were incubated with dilutions of CHG gel for various times from 0 to 120 min. An aliquot of each dilution was further diluted and was inoculated onto McCoy cell monolayers in individual wells in a 96-well microtiter plate. The cultures were incubated for 48 h, and the chlamydial inclusions were stained and counted. CHG gel diluted fourfold (0.0625% CHG) killed C. trachomatis serovar D, and CHG gel diluted eightfold (0.0313% CHG) killed serovar F immediately upon exposure. CHG gel diluted 16-fold (0.0156% CHG) killed serovar D, and CHG gel diluted 32-fold (0.0078% CHG) killed serovar F after 120 min of exposure. Alteration of the pH over the range of from 4 to 8 did not significantly affect its activity. The addition of 10% whole human blood decreased the CHG gel activity at 0 min but had no significant effect after 120 min of exposure. We conclude that CHG gel may be effective topically against C. trachomatis at concentrations that can be used and under conditions that are found in the female genital tract and that further studies of its antimicrobial efficacy and toxicity in vivo are warranted.

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The role of the local microenvironment in regulating susceptibility and immune responses to sexually transmitted viruses in the female genital tract

Journal of Reproductive Immunology ◽

10.1016/j.jri.2009.08.010 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 83 (1-2) ◽

pp. 168-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Charu Kaushic

Keyword(s):

Immune Responses ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Female Genital Tract ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Female Genital

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Mucosal Immunity in the Female Genital Tract, HIV/AIDS

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/350195 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Juliana Reis Machado ◽

Marcos Vinícius da Silva ◽

Camila Lourencini Cavellani ◽

Marlene Antônia dos Reis ◽

Maria Luiza Gonçalves dos Reis Monteiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mucosal Immunity ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Female Genital Tract ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Systemic Spread ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Relationship Of ◽

Female Genital ◽

Hiv Aids

Mucosal immunity consists of innate and adaptive immune responses which can be influenced by systemic immunity. Despite having been the subject of intensive studies, it is not fully elucidated what exactly occurs after HIV contact with the female genital tract mucosa. The sexual route is the main route of HIV transmission, with an increased risk of infection in women compared to men. Several characteristics of the female genital tract make it suitable for inoculation, establishment of infection, and systemic spread of the virus, which causes local changes that may favor the development of infections by other pathogens, often called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The relationship of these STDs with HIV infection has been widely studied. Here we review the characteristics of mucosal immunity of the female genital tract, its alterations due to HIV/AIDS, and the characteristics of coinfections between HIV/AIDS and the most prevalent STDs.

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Self Sampling as Part of Screening for Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Clinic Attenders. A Preliminary Study

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/095646249400500411 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 284-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

A R Markos ◽

A A H Wade ◽

M Walzman ◽

M Shahmanesh

Keyword(s):

Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽

Female Genital Tract ◽

Sex Industry ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Lower Genital Tract ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

Genitourinary Medicine ◽

Female Genital

Self sampling of the secretions of the female genital tract for microbiological investigations for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis was assessed in female attenders of the genitourinary medicine clinic in Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the possibility of offering this method of investigation to workers in the sex industry, who are reluctant to attend GUM Clinics. This Pilot Study aimed at assessing the feasibility and acceptability of self sampling of the secretions of the lower genital tract by female patients and its reliability in the detection of sexually transmitted infections. The analysis of the data from 75 participants, indicated that 7 infections were detected on patient sampling as compared to 11 on samples taken by a physician. Self sampling may prove a valuable alternative for the sex industry workers who are reluctant to attend GUM clinics.

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