scholarly journals Adaptation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to the Female Reproductive Tract

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 117863612094707
Author(s):  
Wenxia Song ◽  
Qian Yu ◽  
Liang-Chun Wang ◽  
Daniel C Stein
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Host Cell Signaling

Gonorrhea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is a common sexually transmitted infection and an urgent public health problem. Humans are the exclusive host, and the genital tract with heterogeneous epithelia is the primary niche of this bacterium, creating unique challenges for understanding its pathogenesis. The cervical tissue explant model that we have developed enabled us to show that the properties of the epithelial cells in the female reproductive tract are the main factors driving gonococcal adaptation. Gonococcal variants that colonize strongly and penetrate poorly, thereby causing asymptomatic infection, survive better in the cervix. Gonococci adapt to different epithelial cell types by varying their surfaces and modulating distinct epithelial cell-cell adhesion complexes through manipulation of host cell signaling. These findings provide critical new insights on the mechanisms by which N. gonorrhoeae adapts to the human mucosal surface and causes asymptomatic infection.

scholarly journals Microbiological profile of patients attending sexually transmitted infection/reproductive tract infection clinic in a tertiary care hospital

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 3649
Author(s):  
Sonal Prakash Chavan ◽  
Sharmila Sanjay Raut ◽  
Pragati Sharma ◽  
Ravindra Kashinath Khadse
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Reproductive Tract Infection ◽  
Tract Infections

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are an important public health problem worldwide. Growing spread of RTIs/STIs are an augmenting factor for HIV transmission. Due to lack of adequate laboratory infrastructure, there is limited data. Hence information regarding STIs lies essentially on syndromic basis.Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional study carried from June 2016 to September 2016 with sample size of 300 patients attending STI/RTI clinic. Various samples were collected like scrapings, exudates and swabs from ulcerative lesions for microscopy. Urethral, vaginal and cervical swabs for wet mount, gram stain and culture. Blood sample were collected for RPR, TPHA, ELISA HSV II, HIV, HBsAg. Processing and identification of organism as per NACO guidelines.Results: Out of total 300 cases, 255 (85%) are females and 45 (15%) are males. Maximum cases are from 25-44 years age group. Genital discharge syndrome is more common in females while genital ulcerative syndrome more in males. Coinfection with HIV is found in 17% cases. Herpes genitals (20%) is the most common causative agent for ulcerative STIs in males. VDS is the most common syndrome in Females. Candida (27.8%), G. vaginalis (12.2%) and T. vaginalis (3.5%).Conclusions: Viral and fungal STIs are more common than bacterial STIs. Targeted intervention and contact tracing as done for HIV should be effectively emphasised for STI/RTI also. Syndromic approach should be supplemented by Laboratory diagnosis for more effective outcome.

scholarly journals The Iron-Repressed, AraC-Like Regulator MpeR Activates Expression offetAin Neisseria gonorrhoeae

2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (12) ◽  
pp. 4764-4776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee Hollander ◽  
Alexandra Dubon Mercante ◽  
William M. Shafer ◽  
Cynthia Nau Cornelissen
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Iron Transport ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Resistance Rates

ABSTRACTNeisseria gonorrhoeaeis an obligate human pathogen that causes the common sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea. Gonococcal infections cause significant morbidity, particularly among women, as the organism ascends to the upper reproductive tract, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility. In the last few years, antibiotic resistance rates have risen dramatically, leading to severe restriction of treatment options for gonococcal disease. Gonococcal infections do not elicit protective immunity, nor is there an effective vaccine to prevent the disease. Thus, further understanding of the expression, function, and regulation of surface antigens could lead to better treatment and prevention modalities in the future. In the current study, we determined that an iron-repressed regulator, MpeR, interacted specifically with the DNA sequence upstream offetAand activated FetA expression. Interestingly, MpeR was previously shown to regulate the expression of gonococcal antimicrobial efflux systems. We confirmed that the outer membrane transporter FetA allows gonococcal strain FA1090 to utilize the xenosiderophore ferric enterobactin as an iron source. However, we further demonstrated that FetA has an extended range of substrates that encompasses other catecholate xenosiderophores, including ferric salmochelin and the dimers and trimers of dihydroxybenzoylserine. We demonstrated thatfetAis part of an iron-repressed, MpeR-activated operon which putatively encodes other iron transport proteins. This is the first study to describe a regulatory linkage between antimicrobial efflux and iron transport inN. gonorrhoeae. The regulatory nidus that links these systems, MpeR, is expressed exclusively by pathogenic neisseriae and is therefore expected to be an important virulence factor.

scholarly journals Neisseria gonorrhoeae Modulates Cell Death in Human Endocervical Epithelial Cells through Export of Exosome-Associated cIAP2

2015 ◽  
Vol 83 (9) ◽  
pp. 3410-3417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Nudel ◽  
Paola Massari ◽  
Caroline A. Genco
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Cell Death Pathways ◽  
Host Cell Death ◽  
Cervical Epithelial Cells

Several bacterial pathogens persist and survive in the host by modulating host cell death pathways. We previously demonstrated thatNeisseria gonorrhoeae, a Gram-negative pathogen responsible for the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhea, protects against exogenous induction of apoptosis in human cervical epithelial cells. However, induction of cell death byN. gonorrhoeaehas also been reported in other cell types. The mechanisms by whichN. gonorrhoeaemodulates cell death are not clear, although a role for the inhibitor of apoptosis-2 (cIAP2) has been proposed. In this study, we confirmed thatN. gonorrhoeaeinduces production of cIAP2 in human cervical epithelial cells. High levels of intracellular cIAP2 were detected early afterN. gonorrhoeaestimulation, which was followed by a marked decrease at 24 h. At this time point, we observed increased levels of extracellular cIAP2 associated with exosomes and an overall increase in production of exosomes. Inhibition of cIAP2 inN. gonorrhoeae-stimulated epithelial cells resulted in increased cell death and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production. Collectively these results indicate thatN. gonorrhoeaestimulation of human endocervical epithelial cells induces the release of cIAP2, an essential regulator of cell death and immune signaling.

scholarly journals Prevalence of urogenital, anal, and pharyngeal infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycoplasma genitalium: a cross-sectional study in Reunion island

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Calas ◽  
N. Zemali ◽  
G. Camuset ◽  
J. Jaubert ◽  
R. Manaquin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Mycoplasma Genitalium ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Urogenital Infection ◽  
High Prevalence

Abstract Background Recommendations for sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening vary significantly across countries. This study evaluated the prevalence of urogenital and extragenital infections with Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in patients visiting a French STI clinic in the Indian Ocean region to determine whether current STI screening practices should be updated. Methods This cross-sectional study examined all patients who visited the STI clinic between 2014 and 2015. Triplex polymerase chain reaction screening for CT, NG, and MG was performed on urine, vaginal, pharyngeal, and anal specimens (FTD Urethritis Basic Kit, Fast Track Diagnostics, Luxembourg). Results Of the 851 patients enrolled in the study, 367 were women (367/851, 43.2%) and 484 were men (484/851, 56.0%). Overall, 826 urogenital specimens (826/851, 97.1%), 606 pharyngeal specimens (606/851, 71.2%), and 127 anal specimens (127/851, 14.9%) were taken from enrolled patients. The prevalence of urogenital CT and MG was high in women ≤25 years (19/186, 10.21%; 5/186, 2.69%) and in men who have sex with women ≤30 years (16/212, 7.54%; 5/212, 2.36%). Among patients with urogenital CT infection, 13.7% (7/51) had urethritis. All patients with urogenital MG infection were asymptomatic. Men who have sex with men had a high prevalence of pharyngeal CT (2/45, 4.44%) and NG (3/44, 6.81%) and a high prevalence of anal CT (2/27, 7.41%), NG (2/27, 7.40%), and MG (1/27, 3.70%). After excluding patients with concomitant urogenital infection, extragenital infections with at least 1 of the 3 pathogens were found in 20 swabs (20/91, 21.9%) taken from 16 patients (16/81, 19.7%), all of them asymptomatic. Conclusions Routine multisite screening for CT, NG, and MG should be performed to mitigate the transmission of STIs in high-risk sexually active populations.

scholarly journals Sero-epidemiology and risk factors of syphilis in Makassar, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-49
Author(s):  
Maryam Kusumawaty ◽  
Khairuddin Djawad ◽  
Muh Nasrum Massi ◽  
Andi Muhammad Adam ◽  
Siswanto Wahab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Treponema Pallidum ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Introduction. Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum spirochete and is mainly transmitted by sexual contact. Syphilis has the potential to cause serious complications and is closely related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection thus making syphilis still a major public health problem. In Indonesia, surveys of high-risk populations in 2007 and 2011 reported an increase in the prevalence of syphilis, especially in men who have sexual relationships with other men (MSM). Moreover, studies have described risk factors for HIV transmission including MSM, heterosexual contacts, Intravenous (IV) drug use, and infected partners. Objectives. To assess the epidemiological aspects and risk factors for syphilis in Makassar, as well as the correlation with a coinfection of other sexually transmitted infections. Material and Methods. This study is a multi-centre cross-sectional descriptive study with consecutive sampling. We evaluated cases for eligibility by confirming the diagnosis based on the serological result using rapid plasma reagin assay (RPR), Treponema pallidum haemagglutination (TPHA), and HIV screening kit. The cases were analyzed based on epidemiological features, risk factors and clinical findings, co-infection with other sexually transmitted infection (ST), and stadium of the disease. Results. A total of 79 serologically confirmed syphilis cases were collected between January 2017 and December 2018 in Makassar, the capital city of South Sulawesi province in Indonesia. Of the 63 male subjects (79.7%), 38 (48.1%) were homosexual/MSM, and in 41 cases of HIV-infected subjects, 25 (60.9%) of them were also MSM. Conclusion. Our study showed there was a significant correlation between syphilis and an increased risk of HIV transmission in MSM groups. The higher number of cases of syphilis and HIV co-infection among MSM can increase transmission of both infections and should be considered a major risk factor for syphilis in Makassar.

Development of parthenogenetic and fertilized mouse embryos in the uterus and in extra-uterine sites

Development ◽  
1975 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-405
Author(s):  
S. A. Iles ◽  
M. W. McBurney ◽  
S. R. Bramwell ◽  
Z. A. Deussen ◽  
C. F. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Neural Tissue ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Mouse Embryos ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Embryonic Cells ◽  
Haploid Embryos ◽  
Keratinized Epithelium ◽  
Mouse Eggs

Mouse eggs were activated with hyaluronidase in vitro and subsequently transferred to the oviduct. In the female reproductive tract they formed morulae and blastocysts which died soon after implantation. Haploid blastocysts were transferred beneath the kidney capsule and here some formed disorganized egg-cylinder structures in a week. Morulae and blastocysts from haploid and diploid parthenogenones were also transferred beneath the testis capsule. Two to four months later the growths which had formed were sectioned. They contained neural tissue, pigment, keratinized epithelium, glandular epithelium, ciliated epithelium, cartilage, bone, muscle, adipose tissue, and haemopoietic tissue. The range of cell types was similar to that produced by fertilized control blastocysts except that the parthenogenones did not form identifiable yolk-sac carcinoma or embryonal carcinomacells. The growths from haploid and diploid parthenogenones in the testis were stained with Feulgen and their DNA content measured. Growths from diploid embryos contained the normal diploid amount of DNA while growths from haploid embryos contained less than this amount. Cell cultures were prepared from the growths. The cells which were investigated contained no Y chromosome, suggesting that they were derived from the embryonic cells rather than the cells of the male host. These cells contained a near diploid chromosome number, although some of them were originally derived from haploid embryos.

Wnt-7a maintains appropriate uterine patterning during the development of the mouse female reproductive tract

Development ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 125 (16) ◽  
pp. 3201-3211 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Miller ◽  
D.A. Sassoon
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Hox Genes ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Anteroposterior Patterning ◽  
Stratified Epithelium ◽  
Distinct Cell ◽  
Hoxa Gene Expression ◽  
Posterior Shift

The murine female reproductive tract differentiates along the anteroposterior axis during postnatal development. This process is marked by the emergence of distinct cell types in the oviduct, uterus, cervix and vagina and is dependent upon specific mesenchymal-epithelial interactions as demonstrated by earlier heterografting experiments. Members of the Wnt family of signaling molecules have been recently identified in this system and an early functional role in reproductive tract development has been demonstrated. Mice were generated using ES-mediated homologous recombination for the Wnt-7a gene (Parr, B. A. and McMahon, A. P. (1995) Nature 374, 350–353). Since Wnt-7a is expressed in the female reproductive tract, we examined the developmental consequences of lack of Wnt-7a in the female reproductive tract. We observe that the oviduct lacks a clear demarcation from the anterior uterus, and acquires several cellular and molecular characteristics of the uterine horn. The uterus acquires cellular and molecular characteristics that represent an intermediate state between normal uterus and vagina. Normal vaginas have stratified epithelium and normal uteri have simple columnar epithelium, however, mutant uteri have stratified epithelium. Additionally, Wnt-7a mutant uteri do not form glands. The changes observed in the oviduct and uterus are accompanied by a postnatal loss of hoxa-10 and hoxa-11 expression, revealing that Wnt-7a is not required for early hoxa gene expression, but is required for maintenance of expression. These clustered hox genes have been shown to play a role in anteroposterior patterning in the female reproductive tract. In addition to this global posterior shift in the female reproductive tract, we note that the uterine smooth muscle is disorganized, indicating development along the radial axis is affected. Changes in the boundaries and levels of other Wnt genes are detectable at birth, prior to changes in morphologies. These results suggest that a mechanism whereby Wnt-7a signaling from the epithelium maintains the molecular and morphological boundaries of distinct cellular populations along the anteroposterior and radial axes of the female reproductive tract.

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