Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis in Women Attending Family Planning Clinics

Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in 242 women attending family planning clinics in Concepción, Chile was studied using the Nugent criteria. The syndrome was present in 33.1% of women. No statistical difference was found between the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis and the of oral contraceptives (31.9%) or intrauterine devices (33.1%). The sensitivity and specificity of the Nugent criteria compared with the Amsel criteria were 86.7% and 91.0%, respectively. Vaginal fluid pH and appearance had low specificity in this population. Microorganisms associated with bacterial vaginosis were Gardnerella vaginalis (96.3%), Prevotella/Porphyromonas (70%),Mobiluncus spp. (48.8%), Mycoplasma hominis (21.3%) and Ureaplasma urelyticum 21.3). These results suggest that preventive actions and management of clinical infection to prevent complications are needed.     

巢－PCR分型检测人乳头状瘤病毒同源序列

采用Ｌ１通用引物ＭＹ１１／９介导聚合酶链反应,（ＰＣＲ）,从人生殖道疣,癌组织中扩增人乳头状瘤病毒（ＨＰＶ）同源序列得３９４－５５２ｂｐＤＮＡ片段,再以内引物ＧＰ５／６介导第二次扩增得１３９－１５４ｂｐ片段,然后根据ＲｓａＩ酶切扩增片段的电泳图谱来分出ＨＰＶ型别,无需特异型别的探针进行分子杂交,３５例宫颈癌和３０例生殖器疣ＨＰＶ同源序列检出率分别为８５．７５％和９６％;１２例卵巢腺癌检出ＨＰＶ同源     

巢－PCR分型检测人乳头状瘤病毒同源序列

采用L₁通用引物MY 11/9介导聚合酶链反应(PCR),从人生殖道疣、癌组织中扩增人乳头状瘤病毒(HPV)同源序列得394-552bp DNA片段,再以内引物GP5/6介导第二次扩增得139-154bp片段,然后根据Rsa Ⅰ酶切扩增片段的电泳图谱来分出HPV型别,无需特异型别的探针进行分子杂交,35例宫颈癌和30例生殖器疣HPV同源序列检出率分别为85.75%和96%;12例卵巢腺癌检出HPV同源序列者7例.本法简便、灵敏、可靠,并适合于临床应用.     

光敏生物素标记法制备HPV DNA探针

本文将PBR322与HPV重组质粒DNA转化大肠杆菌HB101株,经氨苄青霉素—四环素平板筛选转化成功的菌落,将其扩增、提取质粒DNA,纯化后用限制性内切酶酶切,琼脂糖凝胶电泳区分不同大小的限制性内切片段,并用电洗脱法回收7.9Kb的HPV DNA片段。在高能卤素灯光照下标记光敏生物素制备HPV DNA探针,并检测其特异性和敏感性。结果表明:此探针具有较高敏感性,可达2.5pg;并且具有较强的特异性。     

Prognostic Evaluation of DNA Index in HIV-HPV Co-Infected Women Cervical Samples Attending in Reference Centers for HIV-AIDS in Recife

Introduction

Persistence of cervical infection caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types with high oncogenic risk may lead to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether, in HIV-positive women, the presence of aneuploidy in cervical cell samples is associated with presence and evolution of CIN.

Methods

The present study had two stages. In the first stage, comprising a cross-sectional study, the association between the presence of aneuploidy seen via flow cytometry and sociodemographic characteristics, habits and characteristics relating to HPV and HIV infection was analyzed. In the second stage, comprising a cohort study, it was investigated whether aneuploidy was predictive of CIN evolution.

Results

No association was observed between the presence of aneuploidy and HPV infection, or between its presence and alterations seen in oncotic cytological analysis. On the other hand, aneuploidy was associated with the presence of CIN (p = 0.030) in histological analysis and with nonuse of antiretroviral therapy (p = 0.001). Most of the HIV-positive women (234/272) presented normal CD4+ T lymphocyte counts (greater than 350 cells/mm³) and showed a greater aneuploidy regression rate (77.5%) than a progression rate (23.9%) over a follow-up of up to two years.

Conclusion

Although there was an association between the presence of cervical tissue lesions and the DNA index, the latter was not predictive of progression of the cervical lesion. This suggests that progression of the cervical lesion to cancer in HIV-positive women may also be changed through improvement of the immunological state enabled by using antiretroviral therapy.     

Chlamydia Detection during the Menstrual Cycle: A Cross-Sectional Study of Women Attending a Sexual Health Service

Background

We investigated the detection of chlamydia at different stages of the menstrual cycle.

Methods

Electronic medical records for women attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between March 2011 and 31^st December 2012, who were tested for chlamydia by nucleic acid amplification of high vaginal, cervical, or urinary samples, and who recorded a date of last normal menstrual period (LNMP) between 0–28 days were included in the analysis. Logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association of chlamydia with menstrual cycle adjusted by demographics and behavioural variables. Chlamydia and beta globin load were determined on those with stored samples.

Results

Of the 10,017 consultations that included a test for chlamydia and a valid LNMP, there were 417 in which chlamydia was detected. The proportion of samples with chlamydia was greater in the luteal phase (4.8%, 184/3831) than in the follicular phase (3.4%, 233/6816) both in the crude (OR 1.29 95%CI 1.1–1.6, p = 0.01) and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.4 (95%CI 1.1–1.8, p = 0.004). Among women using hormonal contraception, there was no significant association with the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle (aOR 1.3, 95%CI 0.9, 1.8, p = 0.18). Among women not using hormonal contraception, there was a significant association with the luteal phase (aOR 1.6, (95% CI 1.1–2.3, p = 0.007). The chlamydia load was not significantly different in the 329 positive stored samples in weeks 3 and 4 vs weeks 1 and 2 for any site (P>0.12).

Conclusions

The higher detection of chlamydia detection in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in only those not taking hormonal contraception suggest that hormonal factors influence chlamydia detection. The absence of a significantly highly chlamydia load in women during the luteal phase raises questions about the mechanism.     

Prevalence of Trichomoniasis by PCR in Women Attending Health Screening in Korea

Trichomoniasis is the most common curable sexually-transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. There are few reports on the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in Korea. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of trichomoniasis by PCR in Guri city, Korea. All adult women who visited Hanyang University Guri Hospital for health screening within the National Health Care Service were invited to participate in the study, and 424 women were enrolled between March and June 2011. PCR was used to detect Trichomonas vaginalis using primers based on a repetitive sequence cloned from T. vaginalis (TV-E650). Fourteen women (3.3%) were found to have T. vaginalis. All were over 50, and they were significantly older on average than the 410 Trichomonas-negative women (mean ages 63.4 vs 55.3 years). It seems that T. vaginalis infection is not rare in women receiving health screening, especially among those over 50.     

Development of a Multiplex PCR Test with Automated Genotyping Targeting E7 for Detection of Six High-Risk Human Papillomaviruses

Cervical cancer is caused by high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) and viral detection tests aid in the diagnosis of precursor lesions. In the present study, a molecular test for detection of high-risk HPV DNA, called E7-HPV, was standardized and assessed in samples from women with pre-cancerous lesions. The development of the E7-HPV test for detection and genotyping of six high-risk HPV (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45 and 52), consisted of evaluating primer quality and adjusting the multiplex PCR conditions. Primer design was based on the E7 region of each HPV, and the fluorochrome 6-FAM was added to PCR primers. Viral detection was performed by capillary electrophoresis in automated sequencer in samples obtained from 60 women (55 with ASC-H/HSIL cytology) from August to September 2013. A non-inferiority analysis was conducted with the cobas HPV test as a reference and following international guidelines for the development of new tests. The two tests had a high concordance rate in HPV16 detection (kappa=0.972), with only one discordant case (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3, negaive with cobas and positive for HPV16 by E7-HPV) and complete agreement in HPV18 detection. When comparing detection of all high-risk HPV, three cases were positive with cobas but negative with E7-HPV, and another three cases were negative with cobas but positive with E7-HPV (HPV16, 31 and 52). When we evaluate the cases initially suspected by cytology, the two tests had the same sensitivity in detection CIN2 or worse. In conclusion, the E7-HPV test has satisfactory initial results, and its development can be continued.     

Scale-Up,Retention and HIV/STI Prevalence Trends among Female Sex Workers Attending VICITS Clinics in Guatemala

Background

Since 2007, Guatemala integrated STI clinical service with an HIV prevention model into four existing public health clinics to prevent HIV infection, known as the VICITS strategy. We present the first assessment of VICITS scale-up, retention, HIV and STI prevalence trends, and risk factors associated with HIV infection among Female Sex Workers (FSW) attending VICITS clinics in Guatemala.

Methods

Demographic, behavioral and clinical data were collected using a standardized form. Data was analyzed by year and health center. HIV and STI prevalence were estimated from routine visits. Retention was estimated as the percent of new users attending VICITS clinics who returned for at least one follow-up visit to any VICITS clinic within 12 months. Separate multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to investigate factors associated with HIV infection and program retention.

Results

During 2007–2011 5,682 FSW visited a VICITS clinic for the first-time. HIV prevalence varied from 0.4% to 5.8%, and chlamydia prevalence from 0% to 14.3%, across sites. Attending the Puerto Barrios clinic, having a current syphilis infection, working primarily on the street, and using the telephone or internet to contact clients were associated with HIV infection. The number of FSW accessing VICITS annually increased from 556 to 2,557 (361%) during the period. In 2011 retention varied across locations from 7.7% to 42.7%. Factors negatively impacting retention included current HIV diagnosis, having practiced sex work in another country, being born in Honduras, and attending Marco Antonio Foundation or Quetzaltenango clinic sites. Systematic time trends did not emerge, however 2008 and 2010 were characterized by reduced retention.

Conclusions

Our data show local differences in HIV prevalence and clinic attendance that can be used to prioritize prevention activities targeting FSW in Guatemala. VICITS achieved rapid scale-up; however, a better understanding of the causes of low return rates is urgently needed.     

头颈部肿瘤基因组中HPV16DNA的同源序列

利用头颈部肿癌临床活检新鲜组织和石蜡包埋组织的两种处理标本,分别采用核酸分子杂交和聚合酶链反应(PCR)两种技术,分析了头颈部肿瘤组织基因组中人乳头瘤病毒16型的同源序列,并研究HPV16的感染同头颈部肿瘤发生发展的关系。结果表明:1.喉鳞状细胞癌DNA中有HPV16 DNA同源序列,检测频率在20.0％以上。2.PCR扩增石蜡包埋肿瘤组织DNA中HPV16的URR(病毒基因上游调控区)中的序列,电泳分析扩增产物在喉乳头状瘤、喉癌、鼻腔内翻性乳头瘤和口腔癌中检测率分别是11.1％、20.0％、42.9％和27.3％。3.研究表明HPV16 DNA阳性率与喉癌原发部位,分化程度和临床分期之间可能有一定的相关性。人乳头瘤病毒可能是头颈部肿瘤的病毒病因之     

Prognostic Value of HPV E6/E7 mRNA Assay in Women with Negative Colposcopy or CIN1 Histology Result: A Follow-Up Study

Pap test, and especially HPV DNA test, identify a large group of women who do not have any clinically relevant lesions, i.e., CIN2+ (Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia grade 2 or worse), but who are at greater risk of getting lesions in the future. The follow up of these women needs new biomarkers with prognostic value. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of E6/E7 mRNA over-expression assay (PreTect HPV-Proofer, Norchip) for 5 HR-HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, and 45) for progression to CIN2+ after a negative colposcopy. This prospective study, conducted at four Italian centres, enrolled 673 women with either a negative colposcopy or a negative or CIN1 histology. The clinical end-point was histological confirmation of CIN2+. Women were classified at baseline according to mRNA results and managed according to local colposcopy protocols. At least one conclusive follow-up test was obtained for 347 women (25 months average lapse since recruitment, range 5–74). Only seven CIN2+ were detected during follow up, three among the 82 women positive for mRNA at baseline, two among the 250 negative (Fisher exact test, p = 0.02), and two among the 12 with an invalid test. Absolute CIN2+ risk was 6.7/1,000 person/years in the whole cohort. The absolute CIN2+ risk was 18.4/1,000 person/years and 3.6/1,000 person/years in mRNA-positive and mRNA-negative women, respectively. In conclusion, E6/E7 mRNA over-expression appears to be a good candidate as a prognostic biomarker to manage HR-HPV DNA-positive women with negative colposcopy or histology, particularly in order to decrease follow-up intensity in those who are negative.     

实时荧光定量RT-PCR在小鼠及人G蛋白mRNA检测中的应用

用自行设计的TaqMan双标探针和扩增引物建立检测鸟苷酸结合蛋白(G-protein)mRNA的实时荧光定量RT-PCR技术.用G蛋白纯品绘制定量标准曲线,实时荧光定量PCR仪检测ECV304细胞和小鼠G蛋白mRNA水平.10μmol/LGqαmRNA反义寡核苷酸(GqαODN)作用ECV304细胞24h后,Gqα的mRNA表达显著下降(3.18×108±1.75×108拷贝下降到1.44×106±4.82×105拷贝),48h和72h下降更明显;Gsα和Gi2α的mRNA表达变化不显著.10μmol/LGsαmRNA反义寡核苷酸(GsαODN)作用ECV304细胞24h后,Gsα的mRNA表达显著下降(2.97×108±2.68×107拷贝下降到4.16×106±2.00×106拷贝),48h和72h下降更明显;Gqα、Gi2α表达变化不显著.小白鼠油酸致伤后6h,GqαmRNA表达显著下降(1.16×108±8.73×106拷贝下降到3.30×106±1.68×106拷贝),24h下降更显著(9.32×107±1.47×107拷贝下降到4.14×106±1.67×106拷贝);Gsα和Gi2α表达变化的趋势同GqαmRNA.结果准确可靠,重现性好.说明建立的实时荧光定量RT-PCR方法成功地实现了对ECV304细胞和小白鼠肺组织G蛋白不同亚型不同丰度基因表达的检测.     

High-Throughput Pseudovirion-Based Neutralization Assay for Analysis of Natural and Vaccine-Induced Antibodies against Human Papillomaviruses

A highly sensitive, automated, purely add-on, high-throughput pseudovirion-based neutralization assay (HT-PBNA) with excellent repeatability and run-to-run reproducibility was developed for human papillomavirus types (HPV) 16, 18, 31, 45, 52, 58 and bovine papillomavirus type 1. Preparation of 384 well assay plates with serially diluted sera and the actual cell-based assay are separated in time, therefore batches of up to one hundred assay plates can be processed sequentially. A mean coefficient of variation (CV) of 13% was obtained for anti-HPV 16 and HPV 18 titers for a standard serum tested in a total of 58 repeats on individual plates in seven independent runs. Natural antibody response was analyzed in 35 sera from patients with HPV 16 DNA positive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2+ lesions. The new HT-PBNA is based on Gaussia luciferase with increased sensitivity compared to the previously described manual PBNA (manPBNA) based on secreted alkaline phosphatase as reporter. Titers obtained with HT-PBNA were generally higher than titers obtained with the manPBNA. A good linear correlation (R² = 0.7) was found between HT-PBNA titers and anti-HPV 16 L1 antibody-levels determined by a Luminex bead-based GST-capture assay for these 35 sera and a Kappa-value of 0.72, with only 3 discordant sera in the low titer range. In addition to natural low titer antibody responses the high sensitivity of the HT-PBNA also allows detection of cross-neutralizing antibodies induced by commercial HPV L1-vaccines and experimental L2-vaccines. When analyzing the WHO international standards for HPV 16 and 18 we determined an analytical sensitivity of 0.864 and 1.105 mIU, respectively.     

Detection of DNA in Human Blastocyst Cavity Aspirate by Multiplex PCR

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is a modern method of detection of chromosomal and genetic abnormalities in a human embryo before its transfer to the uterus. The genetic material is obtained by embryo biopsy. Here, we attempted to evaluate the efficiency of a method of noninvasive biopsy—aspiration of the blastocoel contents (blastocentesis) of human embryos. In this study, a biopsy was carried out human embryos with low morphological characteristics (3–4 CC according to Gardner grading) on day 6–7 of development. DNA obtained from the aspirate, as well as from the blastocyst, was analyzed by QF-PCR (quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction) after whole genome amplification. In total, 24 blastocysts and aspirate samples obtained from them were analyzed; assayable DNA was found in seven (29%) aspirate samples from the blastocyst cavity, and this DNA was identical to blastocyst DNA in five (71%) cases. Thus, it was shown that, using aspiration of the blastocoel fluid of the human embryo, it is possible to obtain DNA suitable for analysis by molecular genetic methods. The features and advantages of the use of multiplex QF-PCR method combined with whole genome amplification for studying DNA obtained during aspiration of the blastocoel fluid are discussed. The prospects of DNA obtainment by the noninvasive biopsy method for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) in the routine practice of infertility treatment and prevention of chromosomal and genetic abnormalities in newborns are considered.     

Two regions in human DNA polymerase beta mRNA suppress translation in Escherichia coli.

Although human DNA polymerase beta (DNA pol beta) shows 96% identity with rat DNA pol beta at the amino acid level, it is weakly expressed in Escherichia (E.) coli relative to the rat enzyme. The mechanism of this suppression was investigated. Pulse-chase protein labeling and steady state mRNA analysis showed that mature human DNA pol beta protein is relatively stable in E. coli and the levels of human and rat DNA pol beta mRNA were comparable indicating that the human DNA pol beta expression is suppressed at the translational level. By systematic expression analysis of a number of chimeric genes composed of human and rat cDNAs, two strong translational suppression regions were mapped in the human DNA pol beta mRNA; one was named TSR-1, corresponding to CGG encoding arginine (arg) at position 4 and the other, termed TSR-2, is located between codons 153 and 199. Since substitution of the rat Arg-4 codon with synonymous codons showed strong effects upon the expression level, we propose that the arg codon at the N-terminal coding region plays a role in modulating expression.