The effects of females’ susceptibility on the coexistence of multiple pathogen strains of sexually transmitted diseases

 We study the dynamics of sexually transmitted pathogens in a heterosexually active population, where females are divided into two different groups based on their susceptibility to two distinct pathogenic strains. It is assumed that a host cannot be invaded simultaneously by both disease agents and that when symptoms appear – a function of the pathogen, strain, virulence, and an individual’s degree of susceptibility – then individuals are treated and/or recover. Heterogeneity in susceptibility to the acquisition of infection and/or in variability in the length of the infection period of the female subpopulations is incorporated. Pathogens’ coexistence is highly unlikely on homogeneously mixing female and male populations with no heterogeneity among individuals of either gender. Variability in susceptibility in the female subpopulation makes coexistence possible albeit under a complex set of circumstances that must include differences in contact/mixing rates between the groups of females and the male population as well as differences in the lengths of their average periods of infectiousness for the three groups. Received 25 July 1995; received in revised form 6 May 1996     

Epidemiological models for sexually transmitted diseases

The classical models for sexually transmitted infections assume homogeneous mixing either between all males and females or between certain subgroups of males and females with heterogeneous contact rates. This implies that everybody is all the time at risk of acquiring an infection. These models ignore the fact that the formation of a pair of two susceptibles renders them in a sense temporarily immune to infection as long as the partners do not separate and have no contacts with other partners. The present paper takes into account the phenomenon of pair formation by introducing explicitly a pairing rate and a separation rate. The infection transmission dynamics depends on the contact rate within a pair and the duration of a partnership. It turns out that endemic equilibria can only exist if the separation rate is sufficiently large in order to ensure the necessary number of sexual partners. The classical models are recovered if one lets the separation rate tend to infinity.This work has been supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

The sexually transmitted insect virus,Hz-2V

Hz-2V is one of only a very few sexually transmitted viruses currently known in insects. Replication of this insect pathogenic virus results in sterility of infected moths rather than mortality. The sterility of the infected host is a consequence of virus directed malformation of adult reproductive tissues, which in females results in cellular proliferation and hypertrophy of these tissues. Virus replication has additional ramifications in infected females. Infected females produce more mating pheromones and attract more mates than healthy females, ultimately facilitating virus transmission and enhancing viral fitness. The molecular mechanisms used by the virus to manipulate the host to enhance its fitness are yet to be determined. Unraveling the underlying principles of these mechanisms promises to enhance our understanding of insect reproductive physiology, as well as provide molecular tools for use in novel approaches in sterile insect control programs.     

Association of sexually transmitted infections and human papillomavirus co-infection with abnormal cervical cytology among women in Saudi Arabia

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative agent of cervical and other cancers. Sexually transmitted Infections (STIs) may play a crucial role in HPV persistence, leading to serious complications, including cervical cancer. This study investigated the association of HPV/STI co-infection in cervical samples with cervical dysplasia among women in Saudi Arabia. HPV-positive cervical samples (n = 142) were obtained from previous studies and newly collected samples (n = 209) were obtained from women aged 19–83 years. For HPV detection and genotyping, PCR and Genoflow HPV assay kits were used. STIs were detected using a Genoflow STD array kit. Of 351 samples, 94 (27%) were positive for STIs. Among HPV-positive samples, 36 (25%) were positive for STIs; the most common pathogens were Ureaplasma urealyticum/Ureaplasma parvu (13%) and Mycoplasma hominis (6%). A global significant correlation was detected between HPV and STIs with progression of abnormal cervical cytology (χ² = 176, P < 0.0001). Associations between cervical cytology diagnosis and HPV status, STI types (opportunistic and pathogenic), and the presence of Ureaplasma spp., and Mycoplasma hominis were significant (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that additional study in a larger population is warranted to determine the association between HPV/STI co-infection and cervical neoplasia in Saudi women.     

Recent change in the annual pattern of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States

This study analyzed the 1999 to 2003 database of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for seasonal and longer-term time trends in the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in the United States. Linear regression was used to ascertain time trends, and a linear mixed auto-regression model was applied to determine the statistical significance of the major peaks relative to the annualized time series mean. A statistically significant increasing trend during the 5 yr span was documented only in the incidence of chlamydia. No clear annual periodicity was detected in any of the STDs; instead, significant three-month cycles were documented in all the STDs, with prominent peaks evident in March, May, August, and November. The March and May peaks could be associated with the sexual activities of young adults during spring break, which for different colleges and universities, commences as early as mid- to late-February and concludes as late as early- to mid-April, when huge numbers of sexually active youth congregate at beach resort settings. We propose the August peak is representative of summer sexual activity, in particular, of youths during school recess when adult supervision is poor. Finally, the autumn peak seems to be an expression of an endogenous annual rhythm in human reproductive biology, exemplified by elevated levels of testosterone in young males and sexual activity at this time of the year.     

The influence of sexually active non-reproductive groups on persistent sexually transmitted diseases

We describe several population models exposed to a mild life-long sexually transmitted disease, i.e. without significant increased mortality among infected individuals and providing no immunity/recovery. We then modify these models to include non-reproductive groups consisting of those isolated from sexual contact and those who are sexually active but infertile due to choice, medical or other reasons. We analyse the potential effect on the dynamics of the population. We are interested in how the isolated class may curb the growth of the infected group while keeping the healthy population at acceptable levels. We also analyse the difference between being sexually active and abstained within the non-reproductive class and its impact on the epidemic reproductive number and the nature of the bifurcation around the disease-free equilibrium. We provide a comparison with our models introduced in a previous article, which include only the isolated from sexual contact class.     

性病后慢性前列腺炎的病原菌及其耐药性研究

目的:探讨本地区性病后慢性前列腺炎的病原菌分布及其对抗生素的耐药性状况.方法:对131例性病后慢性前列腺炎患者的前列腺液细菌培养和药物敏感试验结果进行统计分析.结果:131例性病后慢性前列腺炎患者的前列腺液细菌培养阳性率为86.3%,从113例阳性标本中共分离培养出14种117株细菌,其中以凝固酶阴性表皮葡萄球菌最为常见(45.2%),其构成比显著高于其他病原菌,药物敏感试验结果显示前列腺液分离菌对临床常用的多种抗生素耐药,而对万古霉素、丁胺卡那霉素、呋喃唑酮、多粘菌素B等耐药率相对较低.结论:凝固酶阴性表皮葡萄球菌是性病后慢性前列腺炎的主要病原菌,病原菌检查和药敏试验对临床诊断和治疗性病后慢性前列腺炎具有重要作用.     

A clinical study on the association of Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma hominis infections in women attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) outpatient clinic

Swabs from the posterior vaginal fornix were obtained from 804 consecutive female patients visiting a large Dutch sexually transmitted diseases (STD) outpatient clinic. A detailed clinical history was obtained and complaints concerning the lower genital tract, such as vaginal discharge or vulval and vaginal irritation, were recorded. Patients were examined and the presence of non-physiological vaginal secretions was established by speculum examination. The swabs were monitored for bacterial vaginosis (BV) or Candida albicans infection. PCR diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis was performed as well. Four groups of patients (n=14-21) with BV or single infections caused by one of these three pathogens and a control group with no pathogens were selected and Mycoplasma hominis PCR was performed additionally. At clinical presentation, controls and single-infected patient groups were comparable with regard to complaints of the lower genital tract and sexual risk behavior defined as having prior STDs and/or admitted prostitution. Only in the T. vaginalis-positive group significantly more women reporting sexual risk behavior were found than in controls. In agreement with former in vitro observations, an in vivo association between the PCR-detected presence of M. hominis and T. vaginalis was established. In 79% of all samples positive for T. vaginalis, M. hominis could be detected, as compared to only 6% in control samples (P=0.0004). However, since single infections by either of the two pathogens were regularly observed, there does not seem to be an exclusive association between the species, as the bacterium is also more frequently found in cases of BV (P=0.026). Co-infection of M. hominis with C. albicans (11%) or C. trachomatis (0%) did not differ significantly from controls (6%). M. hominis did not associate with complaints of the lower genital tract. However, if all groups were combined there appears to be a very significant association between the presence of M. hominis and sexual risk behavior (P=0.0004). M. hominis and sexual risk behavior were more closely associated than M. hominis and T. vaginalis. No indications were found for an enhanced pathogenicity by either of the symbionts.     

The beneficial sexually transmitted microbe hypothesis of avian copulation

Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain why femalebirds either copulate repeatedly with a single mate or copulatewith multiple partners even though only a single copulationmay be sufficient to fertilize an entire clutch. We hypothesizethat females may directly benefit from high frequencies of copulationand multiple copulation partners if they receive a cloacal inoculationof beneficial sexually transmitted microbes (STMs) that caneither protect them against future encounters with pathogensand/or serve as therapy against present infections. Experimentsin domestic animal production, wildlife rehabilitation, andclinical medicine indicate that inoculations of beneficial microbesderived from the indigenous microflora of hosts can lead tonutritional benefits, resistance to colonization by pathogens,the elimination of infection, and improved immune system functioningin recipients. Our hypothesis predicts greater copulatory rateswhen the probability of the transmission of beneficial microbesexceeds that of pathogens and when the positive effects of beneficialmicrobes on host fitness exceed the negative effects of pathogens.Patterns of copulatory behavior in birds suggest the potentialutility of our hypothesis. We discuss our hypothesis in thecontext of observed patterns of copulation in birds and proposesome ways to directly test our hypothesis. Information on the probabilitiesof transmission during copulation of beneficial and pathogenic microbesand their relative potencies in birds are needed to directlytest the predictions of our hypothesis.     

基因芯片及其在性传播疾病病原体研究中的应用

基因芯片是近年发展起来的一种高通量的核酸分析技术,已成为“后基因组时代”的重要分析工具之一。本简述了基因芯片的概念、分类及特点,并对基因芯片技术在性传播疾病病原体淋球菌、沙眼衣原体、解脲脲原体和人乳头瘤病毒研究中的应用作了综述。     

The influence of sexually active non-reproductive groups on persistent sexually transmitted diseases

We describe several population models exposed to a mild life-long sexually transmitted disease, i.e. without significant increased mortality among infected individuals and providing no immunity/recovery. We then modify these models to include non-reproductive groups consisting of those isolated from sexual contact and those who are sexually active but infertile due to choice, medical or other reasons. We analyse the potential effect on the dynamics of the population. We are interested in how the isolated class may curb the growth of the infected group while keeping the healthy population at acceptable levels. We also analyse the difference between being sexually active and abstained within the non-reproductive class and its impact on the epidemic reproductive number and the nature of the bifurcation around the disease-free equilibrium. We provide a comparison with our models introduced in a previous article, which include only the isolated from sexual contact class.     

Strategies for successful designing of immunocontraceptive vaccines and recent updates in vaccine development against sexually transmitted infections - A review

BackgroundThe world population is continuously growing. It has been estimated that half of the world’s population is from the Asian continent, mainly from China and India. Overpopulation may lead to many societal problems as well as to changes in the habitat. Birth control measures are thus needed to control this growth. However, for the last 50–60 years, there have not been any improvements in the field of contraception. Nevertheless, the immunocontraceptive vaccine is an emerging field, and it might be the only replacement for the existing mode of contraception for the next millennium. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are frequent, and their transmission rate increases yearly. As antibiotics are the prevailing treatment for this kind of infections, resistance in humans has increased; therefore, having effective antibiotic treatments for STIs is now a concern. Vaccines against STIs are now needed. It is thought that the improvements in the fields of proteomics, immunomics, metabolomics, and other omics will help in the successful development of vaccines.ObjectiveTo collect and review the literature about recent advancements in immunocontraception and vaccines against sexually transmitted diseases/infections.MethodsReliable scientific databases, such as PubMed Central, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Goggle Scholar, were consulted. Publications bearing important information on targeted antigens/immunogens for contraceptive vaccine design and advancements in vaccine development for STIs were gathered and tabulated, and details were analyzed as per the theme of each study.ResultsImportant antigens that have a specific role in fertility have been studied extensively for their contraceptive nature. Additionally, the advancements in the screening for the best antigens, according to their antigenic nature and how they elicit immune responses for an extended period were also studied. Herd immunity for STIs and advancements in the development of vaccines for syphilis, gonorrhea, and herpes simplex virus were also studied and tabulated in this review. An extensive knowledge on STIs vaccines was gained.ConclusionThis extensive review is aimed to provide insights for active researchers in vaccinology, immunology, and reproductive biology. Advancements in the development of vaccines for different STIs can be gathered as a wholesome report.     

The dynamics of sexual contact networks: effects on disease spread and control

Sexually transmitted pathogens persist in populations despite the availability of biomedical interventions and knowledge of behavioural changes that would reduce individual-level risk. While behavioural risk factors are shared between many sexually transmitted infections, the prevalence of these diseases across different risk groups varies. Understanding this heterogeneity and identifying better control strategies depends on an improved understanding of the complex social contact networks over which pathogens spread. To date, most efforts to study the impact of sexual network structure on disease dynamics have focused on static networks. However, the interaction between the dynamics of partnership formation and dissolution and the dynamics of transmission plays a role, both in restricting the effective network accessible to the pathogen, and in modulating the transmission dynamics. We present a simple method to simulate dynamical networks of sexual partnerships. We inform the model using survey data on sexual attitudes and lifestyles, and investigate how the duration of infectiousness changes the effective contact network over which disease may spread. We then simulate several control strategies: screening, vaccination and behavioural interventions. Previous theory and research has advanced the importance of core groups for spread and control of STD. Our work is consistent with the importance of core groups, but extends this idea to consider how the duration of infectiousness associated with a particular pathogen interacts with host behaviours to define these high risk subpopulations. Characteristics of the parts of the network accessible to the pathogen, which represent the network structure of sexual contacts from the “point of view” of the pathogen, are substantially different from those of the network as a whole. The pathogen itself plays an important role in determining this effective network structure; specifically, we find that if the pathogen’s duration of infectiousness is short, infection is more concentrated in high-activity, high-concurrency individuals even when all other factors are held constant. Widespread screening programmes would be enhanced by follow-up interventions targeting higher-risk individuals, because screening shortens the expected duration of infectiousness and causes a greater relative decrease in prevalence among lower-activity than in higher-activity individuals. Even for pathogens with longer durations of infectiousness, our findings suggest that targeting vaccination and behavioural interventions towards high-activity individuals provides comparable benefits to population-wide interventions.     

女性泌尿生殖系统性病病原体感染情况分析

目的 研究性传播疾病病原体在女性泌尿生殖系统的感染情况。方法 选择2018年广州市皮肤病防治所性病门诊收治的484例女性初诊患者为患者组,选择同期30例健康女性体检者作为对照组,检测两组对象8种性病的患病情况,包括6种法定报告性病（HIV感染、梅毒、生殖器疱疹、沙眼衣原体感染、淋病、尖锐湿疣）和2种非法定报告性病（解脲脲原体及人形支原体感染、假丝酵母菌感染）。结果 484例初诊女性患者中共有292人患性病,占女性初诊患者的60.3%,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。292例性病患者合并感染率较高,出现性病合并感染的患者共94人,占32.2%（94/292）。入选患者共有感染类型23型,患者最多可同时患有4种性病。沙眼衣原体感染患者合并感染率最高,达到83.7%（36/43）。结论 应加强女性性病患者性病病原体的全面筛查和相关感染的预防。     

性病患者泌尿生殖系病原体感染分析

目的 结合临床分析医院性病门诊具有泌尿生殖道刺激症状及异常分泌物患者的淋球菌(NG)、沙眼衣原体(CT)和解脲脲原体(UU)的感染状况,为临床治疗提供依据.方法 对门诊283例患者标本作NG、CT、UU检测,其中UU、CT采用新型快速试剂盒检测;NG检测采用分泌物涂片、染色、镜检,可疑者再用培养法确证.结果 三种病原体总感染率为62.19％(176/283),单一感染占39.22％(111/283),混合感染占22.97％(65/283),混合感染中以CT+ UU感染(13.07％)为主;男、女感染率分别为59.65％和66.07％,患者年龄集中在21 ～40岁,以31 ～40岁组阳性病例数最多(35.34％);职业分布:病例数最多的是无业人员(45.58％),其次为工人、干部.非淋菌性尿道(宫颈)炎(NGU)和淋病(GU)的阳性检出率分别为46.64％和15.54％.结论 NGU和GU的的感染以性成熟期患者为主,NGU发病率高,应引起高度重视.     

The effect of aggregative overwintering on an insect sexually transmitted parasite system

In contrast to the extensively studied sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) of humans, little is known of the ecology or evolutionary biology of sexually transmitted parasites in natural systems. This study of a sexually transmitted parasite on an insect host augments our understanding of both the parasite's population dynamics and virulence effects. The impact of overwintering was assessed on the prevalence of the parasitic mite Coccipolipus hippodamiae on the two-spot ladybird, Adalia bipunctata. First, the effect of infection on host survival was examined during the stressful overwintering period. Box experiments in the field revealed that the infected ladybirds, especially males, are less likely to survive overwintering. The study provides the first evidence that the parasite harms males and suggests revisions of theories on the adaptive virulence of sexually transmitted parasites. It also indicates the importance of using a range of experimental conditions because virulence can be dependent on host condition and sex. Box experiments were also used to examine whether transmission of the parasite occurs within overwintering aggregations. These revealed that substantial transmission does not occur in aggregations and that transmission is predominantly sexual. Overall, the virulence effects and the lack of transmission mean that the overwintering period acts to diminish parasite prevalence and will retard the spring epidemic associated with host reproductive activity.