scholarly journals The importance of microbiological tests of vaginal secretion during reproductive period

2004 ◽  
Vol 132 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Arsic-Arsenijevic ◽  
Ivana Radonjic ◽  
Vera Mijac ◽  
Ivana Cirkovic

Vaginal infections, during reproductive period are frequent and although not life treating, they can affect their normal functions. They can also affect wommen's fertility as well as the course of pregnancy. The outcome of pregnancy can be endangered due to the possibility of infection of newborn while passing trough birth canal of the infected mother. As statistically shown, bacterial vaginosis is considerably more often found with the patients having precancerous changes on cervix, or diagnosed cancer of cervix, comparing with women with healthy cervix. It can also cause the apperance of postoperative pelvic cellulitis after hysterectomy. On the other side, the presence of S. agalactiae in vaginal secretion may cause very serious and lethal infections of the newborn such as meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis. As for protozoa T. vaginalis it has been shown that it could cause reduced fertility ability and that during pregnancy it could demage fetal membranes and bring to its premature rupture and premature birth. There is also increased risk of cervix cancer. During reproductive period of women especially if risk factors are existing such as hormone therapy, diabetes mellitus type 1 and applications of wide range antibiotics, vaginal fungal infections caused by Candida can frequently appear. These infection apart from the discomfort like itch and affluent secretion they can also mean diagnostic and therapeutical problem. Regular microbiological test of women are highly recommended during reproductive period as standard for bacterial vaginosis, fungal and trichomonas infections. If those results appear negative, further microbiological tests are necessary. Such tests which are more elaborate, more timely and more expensive are referring to tests on chlamidia, micoplasma and some viruses that can also be the cause of vaginal secretion disbalance in women during reproductive period.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-99
Author(s):  
Soad Al Osta ◽  
Gibran Atwi ◽  
Nourhan El Ahmar ◽  
Noha Bejjani ◽  
Fayez Abillama ◽  
...  

Background: Mucormycosis is a rare fatal infection caused by a ubiquitous fungus from the order of Mucorales, which can have varying clinical presentations. Immunocompromised patients are particularly susceptible to mucormycosis and can suffer fatal consequences if not treated adequately. COVID-19 infection with its immunomodulatory properties has been associated with a wide range of secondary bacterial and fungal infections. We present a case of rapidly progressive rhinocerebral mucormycosis post-COVID-19 infection with the subsequent development of several complications associated with the disease. Case Report: A 62-year-old male patient with a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II, presented 14 days post-COVID-19 recovery with right facial swelling, erythema, and right eye proptosis. Throughout his disease, the patient developed blindness and cranial nerve palsies. He was also found to have palatal necrotic lesions, consistent with the diagnosis of mucormycosis. The patient’s disease was complicated by Garcin syndrome, meningitis, orbital apex syndrome, cavernous sinus thrombosis, brain infarction, and hemorrhage. Despite all measures and interventions, the patient died. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection and its treatments are associated with an increased risk of secondary fungal infections like mucormycosis. As such, a high index of suspicion is needed amongst healthcare workers for the early diagnosis and treatment of such opportunistic infections since prompt treatment is associated with a marked improvement in outcome. Furthermore, optimal glucose control and judicious use of corticosteroids in COVID-19 patients decreases the risk of developping such life threatening superinfections.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Bertran ◽  
Patrick Brachet ◽  
Marjolaine Vareille-Delarbre ◽  
Julie Falenta ◽  
Annie Dosgilbert ◽  
...  

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common genital infection in reproductive-aged women, is associated with increased risk of sexually transmitted infections. Its etiology remains unclear, especially the role ofGardnerella(G.)vaginalis, an anaerobic bacterium characteristic of the BV-alteration of the vaginal ecosystem. In the genital mucosa, dendritic cells (DCs) sense bacteria of the microenvironmentviareceptors and then orchestrate the immune response by induction of different T cell subtypes. We investigated the interactions betweenG. vaginalisand human monocyte-derived DCs using a wide range of bacterial concentrations (multiplicity of infection from 0.01 to 100), and the effects of this pathogen on PHA-induced lymphocyte proliferation. As observed by electron microscopy and cytometry,G. vaginalisreduced the internalization ability of DCs by forming extracellular clusters and induced neither DC maturation, nor DC secretion of cytokines, except at the highest dose with a very early DC maturation state. The same profile was observed on lymphocytes with significant increases of proliferation and cytokine secretion only at the highest bacterial concentration. Our findings indicate thatG. vaginalispossesses slight immune-stimulating activities against DCs and T cells, reflecting thus a defective inflammatory response and giving rise to the atypical, non- or low-grade, inflammatory clinical disease profile.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sufia Imam ◽  
Dattatreya Mukherjee ◽  
Suriya Narayan Harikrishnan ◽  
Aayushi Raj Sinha

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) infection caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may be associated with a wide range of disease patterns, ranging from mild to life-threatening pneumonia[1].During the current pandemic of COVID-19, a myriad of manifestations and complications has emerged and are being reported frequently. We are discovering patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk of acute cardiac injury, arrythmias, thromboembolic complications (pulmonary embolism and acute stroke), and secondary infections[2]. Recently, we have noticed that there is an increase in the incidence of invasive fungal infections in COVID-19 disease manifesting as orbital compartment syndrome,orbital cellulitis and rhino-orbital-cerberal mucormycosis. Several such cases have been reported during the course of COVID-19 disease or as a sequelae. In general mucormycosis infections are rare and opportunistic and are associated with high mortality ranging from 25-62%[3].Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection caused by mold fungi of the genus Mucor Rhizopus, Rhizomucor and Absidia, which are in the Mucorales order of the Zygomycetes class [4]. The most common type is Rhizopus Oryzae and approximately 60% of mucormycosis cases in humans; it is responsible for 90% of the rhino-orbital-cerebral form [5]. The pathogenesis of mucormycosis include killing of mucorales by mononuclear and polymorphonuclear phagocytes of normal hosts through generation of oxidative metabolites and defensins, hence neutropenic patients and those with dysfunctional phagocytes are susceptible to develop invasive mucormycosis[6,7]. A hallmark of mucormycosis infection is the presence of extensive angioinvasion with resultant vessel thrombosis, infarction and tissue necrosis[8].In COVID-19 there is endothelial barrier disruption, dysfunctional alveolar-capillary oxygen transmission and impaired oxygen diffusion capacity[9]. Profound lymphopenia with reduced numbers of T lymphocytes, CD4+T, and CD8+T cells, may alter the immune response of COVID-19 patients enhancing the risk of invasive fungal infections[10].We conducted a literature search online and read several published papers on ‘mucormycosis post COVID-19 infection. Here we present to you the risk factors, clinical profile, investigations, treatment and prevention of this rare disease which is causing havoc during the COVID-19 pandemic.Risk Factors: Preexisting morbidities like uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and lung disease, ventilator-associated pneumonia, neutropenia, elevated free iron levels, deferoxamine, hematological malignancies, stem cell transplants, and organ transplant patients on immunosuppressants, use of corticosteroids and tocilizumab, iatrogenic immunosuppressions, COVID-19 infection & its treatment causing immunosuppression.Clinical Profile: fever, pain, redness, and periocular swelling, acute and progressive, drooping of eyelids, limitation of ocular movements, and painful loss of vision. The progression is usually rapid, an average of two days from the onset. Eyelid and periocular edema, complete ptosis, total ophthalmoplegia, proptosis and relative afferent pupillary defect, unilateral facial or orbital pain, headache, periocular swelling, double vision or diminution of vision,congestion with conjunctival edema and signs of exposure keratitis, chemosis, sinusitis, nasal discharge and neurological signs and symptoms if intracranial extension is present. The patients may exhibit one or more of the above mentioned signs and symptoms depending on the severity of disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 867-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Fesatidou ◽  
Anthi Petrou ◽  
Geronikaki Athina

Background: Bacterial infections are a growing problem worldwide causing morbidity and mortality mainly in developing countries. Moreover, the increased number of microorganisms, developing multiple resistances to known drugs, due to abuse of antibiotics, is another serious problem. This problem becomes more serious for immunocompromised patients and those who are often disposed to opportunistic fungal infections. Objective: The objective of this manuscript is to give an overview of new findings in the field of antimicrobial agents among five-membered heterocyclic compounds. These heterocyclic compounds especially five-membered attracted the interest of the scientific community not only for their occurrence in nature but also due to their wide range of biological activities. Method: To reach our goal, a literature survey that covers the last decade was performed. Results: As a result, recent data on the biological activity of thiazole, thiazolidinone, benzothiazole and thiadiazole derivatives are mentioned. Conclusion: It should be mentioned that despite the progress in the development of new antimicrobial agents, there is still room for new findings. Thus, research still continues.


Author(s):  
Pedro Montagut-Martínez ◽  
David Pérez-Cruzado ◽  
José Joaquín García-Arenas

Background: Diabetes is a serious chronic disease associated with a large number of complications and an increased risk of premature death. A dietary evaluation is of utmost importance for health promotion, disease prevention and individual treatment plans in patients with diabetes. Methods: An exhaustive search was carried out in various databases—Medline, Web of Science, Open Gray Cochrane Library and Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN)—for systematic review of the measurement properties of instruments that evaluate the dietary intake of people with diabetes mellitus type 1 and/or 2 according to COSMIN standards. Results: Seven instruments were identified. There was no instrument measuring nutritional status for which all the psychometric properties were evaluated. The methodological quality for each of the psychometric properties evaluated was ‘inadequate’ or ‘doubtful’ for all instruments. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) evaluated the most psychometric characteristics and with a better score in terms of quality of the evidence. Conclusions: Several instruments have been developed for the evaluation of dietary intake in people with diabetes. Evaluation of this construct is very useful, both in clinical practice and in research, requiring new knowledge in this area. The FFQ is the best instrument available to assess dietary intake in people with diabetes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S576-S577
Author(s):  
Thomas Holowka ◽  
Harry Cheung ◽  
Maricar F Malinis ◽  
Sarah Perreault ◽  
Iris Isufi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ibrutinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat hematologic malignancies that may increase the risk of serious infection including invasive fungal infections (IFI). In a study of 378 patients with hematologic malignancy on ibrutinib, serious infection and IFI occurred in 11% and 4% respectively (Varughese et al. Clin Infect Dis). The primary aims of our study were to determine the incidence of serious infection and associated risk factors in patients on ibrutinib. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with hematologic malignancy prescribed ibrutinib for ≥ 1 week at Yale New Haven Hospital from 2014 to 2019 to identify serious infections defined as those requiring inpatient management. We collected demographic, clinical and oncologic data. Chi-squared tests were used to determine factors associated with an increased risk of infection. Results A total of 254 patients received ibrutinib including 156 with CLL, 89 with NHL and 9 with other leukemias. Among these, 21 underwent HSCT, 9 complicated by GVHD. There were 51 (20%) patients with serious infections including 45 (17.7%) bacterial, 9 (3.5%) viral and 5 (2%) IFI (1 pulmonary cryptococcosis, 4 pulmonary aspergillosis). Anti-mold prophylaxis was prescribed to 7 (2.8%) patients, none of whom developed IFI. Risk factors associated with serious infection included ECOG score ≥ 2 (OR 4.6, p < 0.001), concurrent steroid use (≥ 10 mg prednisone daily for ≥ 2 weeks; OR 3.0, p < 0.001), neutropenia (OR 3.6, p < 0.01), lymphopenia (OR 2.4, p < 0.05) and maximum ibrutinib dose of 560 mg (OR 2, p < 0.05). There was a dose dependent increase in infections based on number of chemotherapy regimens prior to ibrutinib initiation: 14.3% with 0, 19.7% with 1-2 and 28.7% with ≥ 3 prior treatments. Conclusion The incidence of serious infection in hematologic patients on ibrutinib was higher than previously reported (20% versus 11%) but the rate of IFI was lower (2% versus 4%). High ECOG score, leukopenia, steroids, and higher ibrutinib doses were associated with an increased risk for serious infection. Targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis should be considered for patients on ibrutinib with these risk factors. Improving functional status may also reduce the risk of infection in patients on ibrutinib. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Regina Sá ◽  
Tiago Pinho-Bandeira ◽  
Guilherme Queiroz ◽  
Joana Matos ◽  
João Duarte Ferreira ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Ovar was the first Portuguese municipality to declare active community transmission of SARS-CoV-2, with total lockdown decreed on March 17, 2020. This context provided conditions for a large-scale testing strategy, allowing a referral system considering other symptoms besides the ones that were part of the case definition (fever, cough, and dyspnea). This study aims to identify other symptoms associated with COVID-19 since it may clarify the pre-test probability of the occurrence of the disease. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This case-control study uses primary care registers between March 29 and May 10, 2020 in Ovar municipality. Pre-test clinical and exposure-risk characteristics, reported by physicians, were collected through a form, and linked with their laboratory result. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The study population included a total of 919 patients, of whom 226 (24.6%) were COVID-19 cases and 693 were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Only 27.1% of the patients reporting contact with a confirmed or suspected case tested positive. In the multivariate analysis, statistical significance was obtained for headaches (OR 0.558), odynophagia (OR 0.273), anosmia (OR 2.360), and other symptoms (OR 2.157). The interaction of anosmia and odynophagia appeared as possibly relevant with a borderline statistically significant OR of 3.375. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> COVID-19 has a wide range of symptoms. Of the myriad described, the present study highlights anosmia itself and calls for additional studies on the interaction between anosmia and odynophagia. Headaches and odynophagia by themselves are not associated with an increased risk for the disease. These findings may help clinicians in deciding when to test, especially when other diseases with similar symptoms are more prevalent, namely in winter.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Bartolo ◽  
Victoria Hall ◽  
N. Deborah Friedman ◽  
Chloe Lanyon ◽  
Andrew Fuller ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are novel hypoglycemic agents which reduce reabsorption of glucose at the renal proximal tubule, resulting in significant glycosuria and increased risk of genital mycotic infections (GMI). These infections are typically not severe as reported in large systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the medications. These reviews have also demonstrated significant cardiovascular benefits through other mechanisms of action, making them attractive options for the management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We present two cases with underlying abnormalities of the urogenital tract in which the GMI were complicated and necessitated cessation of the SGLT2 inhibitor. Case presentations Both cases are patients with T2DM on empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor. The first case is a 64 year old man with Candida albicans balanitis and candidemia who was found to have an obstructing renal calculus and prostatic abscess requiring operative management. The second case describes a 72 year old man with Candida glabrata candidemia who was found to have prostatomegaly, balanitis xerotica obliterans with significant urethral stricture and bladder diverticulae. His treatment was more complex due to fluconazole resistance and concerns about urinary tract penetration of other antifungals. Both patients recovered following prolonged courses of antifungal therapy and in both cases the SGLT2 inhibitor was ceased. Conclusions Despite their cardiovascular benefits, SGLT2 inhibitors can be associated with complicated fungal infections including candidemia and patients with anatomical abnormalities of the urogenital tract may be more susceptible to these infections as demonstrated in these cases. Clinicians should be aware of their mechanism of action and associated risk of infection and prior to prescription, assessment of urogenital anatomical abnormalities should be performed to identify patients who may be at risk of complicated infection.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 204993612198954
Author(s):  
Isabel Ruiz-Camps ◽  
Juan Aguilar-Company

Higher risks of infection are associated with some targeted drugs used to treat solid organ and hematological malignancies, and an individual patient’s risk of infection is strongly influenced by underlying diseases and concomitant or prior treatments. This review focuses on risk levels and specific suggestions for management, analyzing groups of agents associated with a significant effect on the risk of infection. Due to limited clinical experience and ongoing advances in these therapies, recommendations may be revised in the near future. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are associated with a higher rate of infections, including invasive fungal infection, especially in the first months of treatment and in patients with advanced, pretreated disease. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of Pneumocystis pneumonia and cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation. Venetoclax is associated with cytopenias, respiratory infections, and fever and neutropenia. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors may predispose patients to opportunistic and fungal infections; need for prophylaxis should be assessed on an individual basis. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have been linked to a higher risk of general and opportunistic infections. Breakpoint cluster region-Abelson (BCR-ABL) inhibitors are associated with neutropenia, especially over the first months of treatment. Anti-CD20 agents may cause defects in the adaptative immune response, hypogammaglobulinemia, neutropenia, and hepatitis B reactivation. Alemtuzumab is associated with profound and long-lasting immunosuppression; screening is recommended for latent infections and prevention strategies against CMV, herpesvirus, and Pneumocystis infections. Checkpoint inhibitors (CIs) may cause immune-related adverse events for which prolonged treatment with corticosteroids is needed: prophylaxis against Pneumocystis is recommended.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s258-s259
Author(s):  
James Harrigan ◽  
Ebbing Lautenbach ◽  
Emily Reesey ◽  
Magda Wernovsky ◽  
Pam Tolomeo ◽  
...  

Background: Clinically diagnosed ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is common in the long-term acute-care hospital (LTACH) setting and may contribute to adverse ventilator-associated events (VAEs). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common causative organism of VAP. We evaluated the impact of respiratory P. aeruginosa colonization and bacterial community dominance, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, on subsequent P. aeruginosa VAP and VAE events during long-term acute care. Methods: We enrolled 83 patients on LTACH admission for ventilator weaning, performed longitudinal sampling of endotracheal aspirates followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing (Illumina HiSeq), and bacterial community profiling (QIIME2). Statistical analysis was performed with R and Stan; mixed-effects models were fit to relate the abundance of respiratory Psa on admission to clinically diagnosed VAP and VAE events. Results: Of the 83 patients included, 12 were diagnosed with P. aeruginosa pneumonia during the 14 days prior to LTACH admission (known P. aeruginosa), and 22 additional patients received anti–P. aeruginosa antibiotics within 48 hours of admission (suspected P. aeruginosa); 49 patients had no known or suspected P. aeruginosa (unknown P. aeruginosa). Among the known P. aeruginosa group, all 12 patients had P. aeruginosa detectable by 16S sequencing, with elevated admission P. aeruginosa proportional abundance (median, 0.97; IQR, 0.33–1). Among the suspected P. aeruginosa group, all 22 patients had P. aeruginosa detectable by 16S sequencing, with a wide range of admission P. aeruginosa proportional abundance (median, 0.0088; IQR, 0.00012–0.31). Of the 49 patients in the unknown group, 47 also had detectable respiratory Psa, and many had high P. aeruginosa proportional abundance at admission (median, 0.014; IQR, 0.00025–0.52). Incident P. aeruginosa VAP was observed within 30 days in 4 of the known P. aeruginosa patients (33.3%), 5 of the suspected P. aeruginosa patients (22.7%), and 8 of the unknown P. aeruginosa patients (16.3%). VAE was observed within 30 days in 1 of the known P. aeruginosa patients (8.3%), 2 of the suspected P. aeruginosa patients (9.1%), and 1 of the unknown P. aeruginosa patients (2%). Admission P. aeruginosa abundance was positively associated with VAP and VAE risk in all groups, but the association only achieved statistical significance in the unknown group (type S error <0.002 for 30-day VAP and <0.011 for 30-day VAE). Conclusions: We identified a high prevalence of unrecognized respiratory P. aeruginosa colonization among patients admitted to LTACH for weaning from mechanical ventilation. The admission P. aeruginosa proportional abundance was strongly associated with increased risk of incident P. aeruginosa VAP among these patients.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None


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