T-strain mycoplasma in the chimpanzee.

Specimens from 4 chimpanzees were cultured for T-strain mycoplasma and Mycoplasma hominis. T-strain mycoplasmas were recovered from the genital tract and throat of a male and the genital tract of his female cagemate; neither had clinical evidence of infection. Two other male chimpanzees were culturally negative for T-strain mycoplasmas. M hominis was not isolated from any of the animals. The chimpanzee may serve as a suitable experimental model for studying the role of T-strain mycoplasmas in human urethritis and reproductive failure.     

The role of mycoplasmas in non-gonococcal urethritis: a review

The criteria that need to be fulfilled before regarding a mycoplasma as a cause of non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) are outlined. Of the seven mycoplasmas that have been isolated from the human genitourinary tract, most cannot be considered as contenders for causing NGU. Although there is no evidence to support an etiological role for Mycoplasma hominis, it may be unwise to ignore this mycoplasma in view of its known pathogenicity in other situations. The cumulative weight of evidence indicates that strains of Ureaplasma urealyticum (ureaplasmas) cause NGU in some patients. The reason for their occurrence in the urethra of some men without disease needs to be established. Ureaplasmas do not seem to cause post-gonococcal urethritis. The role in NGU of M. genitalium, newly discovered in the male urethra, is unknown, but its biological features, morphological appearance, and ability to cause genital disease in marmosets suggest that it may be pathogenic for man.     

Ureaplasmas in the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus): transmission and elimination.

All adult marmosets tested had ureaplasmas in their throats but not in the lower respiratory tract, and rarely in the genital tract. Ureaplasmas persisted in the throat of a marmoset separated from the colony for 44 days. They could not be recovered from the animals for at least nine weeks after a course of minocycline. Airborne reinfection did not occur when these animals were surrounded by, but separate from, infected marmosets. It occurred when the minocycline-treated animals were caged with the infected marmosets or were inoculated. The genital tract was more difficult to infect than the oropharynx.     

Characteristic male urine microbiomes associate with asymptomatic sexually transmitted infection

Background

The microbiome of the male urogenital tract is poorly described but it has been suggested that bacterial colonization of the male urethra might impact risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Previous cultivation-dependent studies showed that a variety of non-pathogenic bacteria colonize the urethra but did not thoroughly characterize these microbiomes or establish links between the compositions of urethral microbiomes and STI.

Methodology/Findings

Here, we used 16S rRNA PCR and sequencing to identify bacteria in urine specimens collected from men who lacked symptoms of urethral inflammation but who differed in status for STI. All of the urine samples contained multiple bacterial genera and many contained taxa that colonize the human vagina. Uncultivated bacteria associated with female genital tract pathology were abundant in specimens from men who had STI.

Conclusions

Urine microbiomes from men with STI were dominated by fastidious, anaerobic and uncultivated bacteria. The same taxa were rare in STI negative individuals. Our findings suggest that the composition of male urine microbiomes is related to STI.     

Thin-layer cytology findings of small cell carcinoma of the lower female genital tract. Review of three cases with molecular analysis

OBJECTIVE: To describe the thin-layer cytology findings of small cell carcinoma of the low female genital tract, with histologic correlation and human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping. STUDY DESIGN: The authors reviewed the clinical findings, thin-layer cytology and histologic features of small cell carcinoma of the lower female genital tract (cervix or vagina) occurring in three postmenopausal Chinese women at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, over a four-year period, from January 1998 to December 2001. Molecular techniques for HPV screening and genotyping using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism were employed on the cytologic specimens. RESULTS: The thin-layer preparations were of moderate to high cellularity. There were loose aggregates of or isolated small round cells with a high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, thin but irregular nuclear membrane, hyperchromatic nuclei, inconspicuous nucleoli and scanty cytoplasm. Tumor cell cannibalism was commonly found. Small groups of tumor cells with nuclear molding were noted. There was also obvious tumor diathesis in the background. The necrotic debris was admixed with isolated small round cells, apoptotic bodies and nuclear dust. Associated koilocytosis or squamous intraepithelial lesions were not seen. Histologic examination of the tumor biopsies showed classic features of small cell carcinoma associated with squashing artifacts and vascularized stroma. Molecular analysis revealed the presence of HPV DNA (either type 18 or 16) in all the three liquid-based cytology samples. CONCLUSION: While the cytomorphologic features of small cell carcinoma of the cervix or vagina in thin-layer preparations are slightly different from those in conventional smears, due mainly to the absence of smearing effect, recognition of the subtle but characteristic appearance can enhance the accuracy of the cytologic diagnosis. The association between HPV and primary small cell carcinoma of the lower female genital tract was confirmed by this study.     

Mycoplasmosis in specific-pathogen-free and conventional guinea pigs.

Normal female guinea pigs were examined for organisms of the order Mycoplasmatales. Thirty-nine isolations were made from nose or vagina of 108 guinea pigs. Seven isolates were identified as Mycoplasma caviae, 9 were unidentifiable mycoplasmas, and 23 were identified as nonsterol-requiring acholeplasmas.     

THE MORPHOLOGICAL EXPRESSION OF IMPOSEX IN NUCELLA LAPILLUS (LINNAEUS) (GASTROPODA: MURICIDAE)

The prosobranch gastropod Nucella lapillus exhibits imposex(occurrence of male parts in addition to the female genitalduct) in response to tributyltin (TBT) pollution. Six stageswith three different types in the first three stages and twotypes in the last two stages can be distinguished and are documentedwith SEM-photographs for the first time. Furthermore, nine additionalalterations to the genital tract are shown. As a consequence of TBT exposure in early life stages a sexchange might occur. The oogenesis is suppressed and supplantedby spermatogenesis. The results are two observed specimens witha male genital tract (with a testis) and different female parts.Anatomical and histological details are given here. If TBT-expositionoccurs later, the vagina is replaced by a small prostate glandor the vaginal opening is occluded by proliferating tissue. The two established indices for PSH monitoring (VDS and RPS)in muricid gastropods are discussed. It is shown that the VDSis the more valid parameter. (Received 2 January 1991; accepted 1 March 1991)     

Struvite calculus in the vagina of a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

On 27 January 2000, a struvite calculus was observed in the vagina during necropsy of a 138-cm-long female bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) collected from the Stono River, South Carolina (USA). Vaginal calculi have been reported in other species of cetaceans but not in bottlenose dolphins. Urinary tract infection might have been an underlying cause of the calculus. While urinary tract inflammation was not detected by light microscopic evaluation of sections of the urinary tract, it is conceivable that sufficient time had lapsed following voiding of the calculus through the urethra for urinary tract infection to have resolved. To further define the prevalence and significance of urolithiasis, prosectors of dead stranded marine mammals are encouraged to closely observe their urinary and genital tracts for calculi and to submit them for quantitative analysis.     

Cytotoxic effect of a T-strain mycoplasma (Ureaplasma urealyticum) on cultured normal human cells (WI-38)

Normal human embryonic lung fibroblasts (WI-38) were infected with Ureaplasma urealyticum, a urea hydrolysing mycoplasma. It was possible to observe reduced rates of multiplication of infected cells and reduced plating efficiency as well as the morphological changes usually associated with mycoplasma infection of animal cells in vitro. The cytotoxic effect on multiplication was sensitive to aureomycin but not penicillin. It was not related to depletion of amino acids or nucleic acid precursors from the cell culture medium but appeared to require that the host cells be growing. Ureaplasmas could not be recovered from cell culture medium after 4 days post infection and their characteristic urease activity could not be demonstrated either in cell culture medium or associated with the cells after the first cell subcultivation. [³H]TdR was incorporated into the nuclei of infected cells and the percent labelled nuclei was reduced compared with uninfected cells. Nuclear labelling indices of infected cells increased as the cells were subcultivated by trypsinization suggesting that the ureaplasmas were removed from the host cell surface by this treatment. In general, the effects of ureaplasmas on WI-38 cells do not appear to be as pronounced as effects of other mycoplasmas on animal cells in culture. It is clear, nonetheless, that the urea hydrolysing mycoplasmas can infect cells in culture and cause discernible effects on the growth and metabolism of these cells.     

Sex-Related Differences in Urethra Development in Human Embryos

Virtually no information on the chronology of prenatal development of the human urinary tract and the sex-related differences in the emergence of urinary tract topography during embryonic development is presently available. The aim of our work was to study sex-related differences in urethra development in human embryos and early fetuses. Forty-nine preparations of human embryos and early fetuses without external signs of anatomical abnormalities were studied in order to achieve the aim and fulfill the objectives of the study. Embryos and early fetuses were divided into six groups according to gestational age and parietococcygeal length. The complex of adequate methods of morphological research used in the study included preparation and microscopy of serial histological and anatomical sections of human embryos, including female and male urinary tracts, preparation of 3D-reconstruction models, and morphometry. The formation of prostatic urethra, a derivative of the urogenital sinus, was shown to occur at the beginning of the ninth week of embryogenesis, and the primordium of the internal sphincter of the urinary tract was formed at the end of the tenth week. Formation of the terminal part of spongy urethra took place during weeks 10–11 and involved funnel-like protrusion of the ectoderm from the top of the balanus towards the urethra lumen. The secondary ventral displacement of the urethral opening does not occur in female fetuses, and, therefore, only the prostatic urethra is a homolog of the female urinary tract. The pelvic part of the urogenital sinus was transformed into the prostatic urethra and the membranous urethra of the male at the end of the first stage of fetal development. Elongation of the genital tubercle (a penis primordium) and formation of the urethral ridge walls that involved the urogenital folds occurred at the same time.     

Selection on an antagonistic behavioral trait can drive rapid genital coevolution in the burying beetle,Nicrophorus vespilloides

Male and female genital morphology varies widely across many taxa, and even among populations. Disentangling potential sources of selection on genital morphology is problematic because each sex is predicted to respond to adaptations in the other due to reproductive conflicts of interest. To test how variation in this sexual conflict trait relates to variation in genital morphology we used our previously developed artificial selection lines for high and low repeated mating rates. We selected for high and low repeated mating rates using monogamous pairings to eliminate contemporaneous female choice and male–male competition. Male and female genital shape responded rapidly to selection on repeated mating rate. High and low mating rate lines diverged from control lines after only 10 generations of selection. We also detected significant patterns of male and female genital shape coevolution among selection regimes. We argue that because our selection lines differ in sexual conflict, these results support the hypothesis that sexually antagonistic coevolution can drive the rapid divergence of genital morphology. The greatest divergence in morphology corresponded with lines in which the resolution of sexual conflict over mating rate was biased in favor of male interests.     

Seroepidemiologic aspects of Neisseria meningitidis in homosexual men.

Neisseria meningitidis has been isolated with increasing frequency from specimens obtained from patients attending venereal disease clinics and is an occasional cause of genital infection. Among 383 homosexual men attending either a venereal disease clinic or a community screening clinic meningococci were cultured from specimens obtained from 35.0% of all the subjects, and with similar frequency in the two groups. Of the positive specimens 93.5% were from the throat, 5.8% from the rectum and 0.72% from the urethra. The serogroups and serotypes of the isolates were characteristic of those commonly found in nasopharyngeal specimens from other asymptomatic carriers. Gonococci were isolated from 8.6% of all the subjects and were 1.4 times more common in those who also harboured meningococci. Of the cultures positive for gonococci, 14.7% were from the throat and 85.3% from the rectum. The two bacteria were rarely isolated from the same site in the same individual. Gonococci, but not meningococci, were significantly more common (P less than 0.05) in the group attending the venereal disease, clinic than in the group attending the screening clinic, the rates being 17.1% and 7.0%.     

Calixolepis thuli n. g., n. sp. (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) from the wood duck Aix sponsa (Anatidae) in America

Calixolepis thuli n. g., n. sp. is described and figured on the basis of the specimens from the wood duck Aix sponsa (L.) (Anseriformes: Anatidae) from Cuba and the USA. The tapeworm is characterised by: (1) strobila of medium size; (2) deep genital atrium; (3) external accessory sac; (4) unilateral genital pores, with female genital ducts situated anterior to male ducts; and (5) the following characteristic structure of the male and female terminal genitalia: the genital pouch has a stylet and a goblet-like structure, the calix; a cirrus is absent; and the thick-walled copulatory part of the vagina forms vaginal vestibule distally which may open through a vaginal papilla into the genital atrium. Other morphological structures indicate a relationship with species of the genus Sobolevicanthus Spasskii & Spasskaya, 1954 or with Cladogynia Baer, 1938 (Hymenolepididae). The differences between the tapeworms from Cuba and the USA suggest the possible occurrence of various morphological forms of Calixolepis.     

Fertilization following mixed insemination with 'cervix-selected' and 'unselected' spermatozoa in the rabbit

The possible selection of spermatozoa for fertilization by the female genital tract was investigated using genetically homogeneous, numerically adjusted 'cervix-selected' and 'unselected' rabbit spermatozoa. Samples of spermatozoa were marked by 15 min exposure to 1.3 mg TEPA/ml and then washed for 15 min. TEPA-treated and control samples were inseminated alternately into the vagina (= 'cervix-selected') or uterine horns (= 'unselected') of prospective donors. After 6 h spermatozoa were recovered from the uterine horns of the donors. Equal numbers of 'selected' and 'unselected' spermatozoa were inseminated either into the uterine horns (24 does) or oviducts (25 does) of recipients. The fertilization rates were 48 and 72%, respectively. Significantly more eggs were fertilized by untreated than by TEPA-treated spermatozoa. Almost identical fertilization rates, however, were observed between 'cervix-selected' and 'unselected' spermatozoa. It is concluded, therefore, that in the rabbit no selection of (preincubated) spermatozoa for fertilization takes place at the cervical level.     

Immunological microenvironments in the human vagina and cervix: mediators of cellular immunity are concentrated in the cervical transformation zone

Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is key to defense against intracellular pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis and viruses that infect the lower female genital tract, but little is known about CMI at this site. Recent studies indicate that there are immunological microenvironments within the female genital tract, and that immune functions are affected by hormones as well as infections and inflammatory processes. To determine the distribution of mediators of CMI within the lower female genital tract, we have enumerated and characterized T-lymphocyte subsets and natural killer and antigen presenting cells (APCs; macrophages and dendritic cells) in the introitus, vagina, ectocervix, endocervix and cervical transformation zone (TZ) from healthy women, and have examined the effects of the menstrual cycle, menopause and inflammation on these parameters. In women without inflammation, T cells and APCs were most prevalent in the cervical TZ and surrounding tissue. Intraepithelial lymphocytes were predominantly CD8+ T cell+; most CD8+ cells in the TZ and endocervix, and a proportion of cells in the ectocervix, expressed T-cell internal antigen-1, a marker of cytotoxic potential. In contrast, the normal vaginal mucosa contained few T cells and APCs. Cervicitis and vaginitis cases had increased numbers of intraepithelial CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes and APCs. The menstrual cycle and menopause had no apparent effect on cellular localization or abundance in any of the lower genital tract tissues. These data indicate that the cervix, especially the TZ, is the major inductive and effector site for CMI in the lower female genital tract. Because CD4+ T cells and APCs are primary host cells for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), these data also provide further evidence that the cervix is a primary infection site of HIV-1, and that inflammation increases the risk of HIV transmission.     

Enkephalin-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the feline genito-urinary tract

Summary Besides the classical neurotransmitters acetylcholine and norepinephrine the genito-urinary tract contains also neuropeptides. The distribution of substance P- and VIP-containing nerve fibers have earlier been described. Also enkephalin-immunoreactive nerve fibers occur in the male and female genito-urinary organs of the cat. The nerves are more numerous in male than in female genital tract. The prostatic gland and vas deferens receive the largest supply. In the female genital tract the enkephalin-immuno-reactive nerve fibers are regularly seen in the smooth muscle layer of the cervix. Of special interest is the rich occurrence of the enkephalin nerve fibers among the nerve cell bodies in the para-urethral and cervical ganglia supporting the view that enkephalin may play a neuromodulating role.     

Frequency of detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in cervical canal and the Douglas pouch of infertile and fertile women

The group of organisms commonly referred to as genital mycoplasmas comprise species most often found in genitourinary tract of sexually active adults as common commensal inhabitants, or pathogens which can possibly cause many different pathologies like: non-gonococcal urethritis, bacterial vaginosis, cervicitis, endometritis or pelvic inflammatory disease. The problem of their morbidity and the possible influence they have on human fertility is still not clear. The aim of this study was to find out whether two investigated species- Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis can be detect more often in a group of infertile women. 74 women participated in the study and were assigned to one of 2 groups of patients: infertile women and fertile women without any sign of genital tract infection. Swabs from the cervical canal of the uterus and the fluid from the Douglas pouch were taken during the gynecological examination and laparoscopic procedure. Two diagnostic methods were used: biochemical method- commercial diagnostic kit- Mycoplasma IST 2 and PCR method. The results showed that Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis were detected among both fertile and infertile women with nearly the same frequency, much more often in cervical canal than in the Douglas pouch. Ureaplasma urealyticum was more common pathogen than Mycoplasma hominis in both groups and locations. The achieved results point out that the role of genital mycoplasmas in human infertility is still unclear and require further investigations.     

Response to Neisseria gonorrhoeae by cervicovaginal epithelial cells occurs in the absence of toll-like receptor 4-mediated signaling

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have recently been identified as fundamental components of the innate immune response to bacterial pathogens. We investigated the role of TLR signaling in immune defense of the mucosal epithelial cells of the lower female genital tract. This site provides first line defense against microbial pathogens while remaining tolerant to a complex biosystem of resident microbiota. Epithelial cells derived from normal human vagina, ectocervix, and endocervix expressed mRNA for TLR1, -2, -3, -5, and -6. However, they failed to express TLR4 as well as MD2, two essential components of the receptor complex for LPS in phagocytes and endothelial cells. Consistent with this, endocervical epithelial cells were unresponsive to protein-free preparations of lipooligosaccharide from Neisseria gonorrhoeae and LPS from Escherichia coli. However, they were capable of responding to whole Gram-negative bacteria and bacterial lysates, as demonstrated by NF-kappaB activation and proinflammatory cytokine production. The presence of soluble CD14, a high-affinity receptor for LPS and other bacterial ligands, enhanced the sensitivity of genital tract epithelial cells to both low and high concentrations of bacteria, suggesting that soluble CD14 can act as a coreceptor for non-TLR4 ligands. These data demonstrate that the response to N. gonorrhoeae and other Gram-negative bacteria at the mucosal surface of the female genital tract occurs in the absence of endotoxin recognition and TLR4-mediated signaling.     

Detection of bacterial vaginosis-related organisms by real-time PCR for Lactobacilli,Gardnerella vaginalis and Mycoplasma hominis

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of detecting bacterial vaginosis (BV)-related organisms in stored genital tract specimens using real-time PCR. Frozen cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples from 21 women were analyzed by real-time PCR for the numbers of Mycoplasma hominis, Gardnerella vaginalis and lactobacilli. Lactobacilli organisms were detected in all CVL samples, G. vaginalis was detected in all but one sample, while M. hominis was detected in only six samples. Using the Amsel criteria to define BV, the samples from women with BV had significantly higher numbers of G. vaginalis organisms than samples from women without BV (P=0.004). In contrast, the number of lactobacilli organisms in BV samples was significantly lower (P=0.013). The number of M. hominis organisms was not significantly different between BV-positive and BV-negative samples. A striking relationship was observed where most of the samples contained high numbers of either lactobacilli or G. vaginalis but not both. These results show that it is possible to determine the presence of BV-related organisms in stored genital tract samples by PCR, suggesting that this could be developed into an objective method that could be useful for certain applications.     

A new antibiotic combination for frozen bovine semen 1. Control of mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas, Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis and Haemophilus somnus

Systematic evaluations of new combinations of antibiotics for the control of bovine mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas, Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis and Haemophilus somnus in a bovine frozen semen process were made. These organisms were standardized to 10(5) to 10(6) colony forming unit (CFU) and inoculated into each ml of raw semen. Antibiotics in a final volume of 0.02 ml were added to each ml of the raw semen and were contained at the same concentration in the nonglycerol portion of the extenders (whole milk, 20% egg yolk citrate, 20% egg yolk tris, Plus-X, and 28% egg yolk tris). The combination of gentamicin (500 ug/ml) tylosin (100 ug/ml) and Linco-Spectin (300/600 ug/ml) was more effective for the control of mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas and equally effective for the control of C. fetus subsp. venerealis and Haemophilus somnus than the standard combination of penicillin, dihydrostreptomycin and polymyxin B sulfate.