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Liu S, Ouyang Y, Tang Q, Mei B, Li C. Prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum among outpatients in central China: A retrospective study. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 110:116394. [PMID: 38850689 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) are the common sexually transmitted pathogens and lead to genital diseases, highly prevalent all around the world. The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of NG, CT and UU among outpatients in central China. A total of 2186 urogenital swabs were collected from the patients and the NG, CT and UU pathogens were testing with RT-PCR method, meanwhile the medical records were obtained from the hospital information system. The overall infection rates of NG, CT and UU were 4.57 %, 6.63 % and 48.81 % respectively, showed the prevalence of UU was higher than NG and CT. The younger people had the highest infection rate of NG (10.81 %), CT (20.54 %) and UU (54.59 %). Single infection (89.09 %) was significant higher than co-infection (10.91 %), and the CT-UU co-infection was the prominent pattern (66.41 %). There were an obvious sex difference, the prevalence of NG and CT were significant higher in male, whereas UU was higher in female. Our study could contributed a better understanding of the prevalence of NG, CT and UU, facilitating to the development of effective screening, prevention and treatment policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Yaoling Ouyang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Quan Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Mei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengbin Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jingzhou Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Jingzhou, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
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Paul P, Chandra R. Mobility and sexually transmitted infections: Exploring intersectional axes of alcohol consumption and risky sexual behavior among Indian men. Int J STD AIDS 2024:9564624241273033. [PMID: 39137925 DOI: 10.1177/09564624241273033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies in India and other low-income countries find an inconsistent association between mobility/migration and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men. This study comprehensively examined the association between mobility and STIs among men in India. It also assessed heterogeneous associations of mobility, alcohol consumption, and risky sexual behavior with STIs using interaction analysis. METHODS We utilized a sample of 71,128 sexually active men aged 15-54 years from the 2019-21 National Family Health Survey-5. Binary logistic regression models were employed to study the associations. RESULTS Among the study participants, 16% were mobile and away from home for a month or more in the last 12 months. Around 29% of men reported alcohol consumption and 6% had risky sexual behavior (sexual intercourse with a non-marital/non-cohabitating partner). Regression results suggest that mobility (AOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.29-1.55 [short-duration]; AOR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.77-2.13 [long-duration]) and alcohol consumption (AOR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.24-1.40) were significantly associated with an increased risk of STIs, even after controlling for socio-demographic covariates. Interaction analysis further reveals that mobile men who consumed alcohol and engaged in risky sexual behavior had a significantly higher likelihood of contracting an STI-twice as high in cases of short-duration mobility and three times higher in cases of long-duration mobility. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that both short and long-duration mobility are significantly associated with an increased risk of STIs among men. Alcohol consumption and risky sexual behavior further exacerbate the risk of STIs in mobile men. Initiatives for STI/HIV prevention among men must pay particular attention to temporary mobile men for both short and long durations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pintu Paul
- Centre for Economic Data and Analysis (CEDA), Ashoka University, Sonepat, India
| | - Rakesh Chandra
- School of Health Systems Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India
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Victory J, John S, Wang LQ, Koegl J, Richter LL, Bayrampour H, Joseph K, Lisonkova S. Racial/ethnic disparity in severe maternal morbidity among women who conceived by in vitro fertilization. AJOG GLOBAL REPORTS 2024; 4:100367. [PMID: 39100508 PMCID: PMC11296243 DOI: 10.1016/j.xagr.2024.100367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In vitro fertilization (IVF) as a fertility treatment is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Racial/ethnic disparity in severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in women who conceived by IVF is understudied. Objective To examine differences in the association between race/ethnicity and SMM between women who conceived spontaneously and those who conceived using IVF. Methods We included all singleton live births and stillbirths in the United States, 2016-2021; data were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics. Maternal race/ethnicity included non-Hispanic White (NHW), non-Hispanic Black (NHB), American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN), Asian, Pacific Islander (PI), Hispanic, and mixed-race categories. The SMM composite outcome included eclampsia, uterine rupture, peripartum hysterectomy, blood transfusion, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We used logistic regression to adjust for potential confounders (such as age, education, parity, prepregnancy body mass index, smoking during pregnancy, chronic hypertension, and preexisting diabetes) and to assess modification of the association between race/ethnicity and SMM by IVF. Results The study population included 21,585,015 women: 52% were NHW, 15% NHB, 0.8% AIAN, 6% Asian, 0.2% PI, 24% Hispanic, and 2% were of mixed race. IVF was used by 183,662 (0.85%) women; the rate of the SMM composite outcome was 18.5 per 1000 deliveries and 7.9 per 1000 deliveries in the IVF and spontaneous conception groups, respectively (unadjusted rate ratio 2.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.26-2.43). In women with spontaneous conception, NHB, Asian and mixed-race women had elevated odds of SMM compared with NHW women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.39, 95% CI 1.37-1.41; aOR=1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.07; and aOR=1.42, 95% CI 1.38-1.46, respectively). Racial/ethnic disparities in SMM and its components were not different between the IVF and spontaneous conception groups for the mixed-race category. NHB and Hispanic women had significantly higher aORs for uterine rupture/intrapartum hysterectomy compared with NHW women in the IVF group, while Asian women had a higher aOR for ICU admission compared with NHW women in the IVF group. Conclusion Women who conceived by IVF have a greater than two-fold higher risk of SMM and this higher risk is evident across all racial/ethnic groups. However, NHB and Hispanic women who conceived by IVF had a higher risk of uterine rupture/hysterectomy, and Asian women who conceived by IVF had a higher risk of ICU admission. Our results warrant further investigation examining pregnancy and postpartum care issues among racial/ethnic minority women who conceive using IVF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Victory
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Victory, John, Wang, Richter, Joseph, and Lisonkova)
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Victory, Wang, Joseph, and Lisonkova)
| | - Sid John
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Victory, John, Wang, Richter, Joseph, and Lisonkova)
| | - Li Qing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Victory, John, Wang, Richter, Joseph, and Lisonkova)
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Victory, Wang, Joseph, and Lisonkova)
| | - Johanna Koegl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria (Koegl)
| | - Lindsay L Richter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Victory, John, Wang, Richter, Joseph, and Lisonkova)
| | - Hamideh Bayrampour
- Department of Family Practice, Midwifery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Bayrampour)
| | - K.S. Joseph
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Victory, John, Wang, Richter, Joseph, and Lisonkova)
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Victory, Wang, Joseph, and Lisonkova)
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Joseph and Lisonkova)
| | - Sarka Lisonkova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Victory, John, Wang, Richter, Joseph, and Lisonkova)
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Victory, Wang, Joseph, and Lisonkova)
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Joseph and Lisonkova)
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Allan-Blitz LT, Fifer H, Klausner JD. Managing treatment failure in Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection: current guidelines and future directions. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 24:e532-e538. [PMID: 38367636 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(24)00001-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Due to the continued emergence of resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotics, clinicians are increasingly more likely to encounter cases of Neisseria gonorrhoeae treatment failure. The current international treatment guidelines offer few regimens for cases of N gonorrhoeae infection that do not respond to first-line therapy, and there are many complexities that should be considered with such regimens; these include regional variations in resistance to alternative agents, access to different antibiotics, and penetration of those antibiotics within different tissues. Further, such regimens do not account for the challenges of treating pharyngeal infections; many patients who have not responded to treatment with extended-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotics to date have had pharyngeal involvement. In addition, pharyngeal infections play a pivotal role in the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance in N gonorrhoeae and are more difficult to treat than urogenital infections because of the unfavourable pharmacokinetics of cephalosporins in pharyngeal tissues. Here, we summarise the current guidelines, provide additional approaches and considerations for clinicians, and highlight knowledge gaps that should be addressed to ensure appropriate therapy in cases of treatment failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lao-Tzu Allan-Blitz
- Division of Global Health Equity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Helen Fifer
- Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Jeffrey D Klausner
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Bogale EK, Anagaw TF, Tiruneh MG, Fenta ET, Endeshaw D, Delie AM, Adal O, Tareke AA. Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, and its associated factors among students in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1976. [PMID: 39049035 PMCID: PMC11267747 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19548-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are illnesses mainly spread through unprotected sexual activity. There is a scarcity of aggregate evidence in Ethiopia. The aim of this review was to assess the pooled prevalence of STI, and its associated factors among students in Ethiopia to fill the aforementioned gap. METHODS We extensively searched the bibliographic databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to obtain eligible studies. Further screening for a reference list of articles was also done. The Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet was used to extract data, and Stata 17 was used for analysis. The PRISMA-guidline and Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale were used for quality appraisal. To check heterogeneity, the Higgs I2 and Cochran's Q tests were employed. Sensitivity and subgroup analysis were implemented. To detect publication bias, Egger's test and funnel plots were used. RESULTS The pooled prevalence of STI among students in Ethiopia was 13.6% with a 95% CI (10.2, 17). Findings from sub group analysis based on student category shows that the pooled prevalence of STI were 14.5% among University students, 14.2% among college students and 10.6% among high school students. Having multiple sexual partners (AOR 3.31; 95% CI: 2.40-4.57), not using condoms during sexual intercourse (AOR 2.56; 95% CI: 1.72-3.81), and having poor knowledge about sexually transmitted infections were 3.08 times (AOR 3.08; 95% CI: 1.84-5.15) significantly associated with STI. CONCLUSION The pooled prevalence of STIs among students in Ethiopia was high, and factors like having multiple sexual partners, not using condoms during sexual intercourse, and having poor knowledge about sexually transmitted infections were significantly associated with STIs. Hence, reduce STIs among students, strengthening sexual and reproductive health services, raising awareness about transmission and prevention, and promoting consistent condom use through health information dissemination is crucial. Further qualitative studies are suggested to explore the barriers and facilitators of STI prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eyob Ketema Bogale
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
| | - Tadele Fentabel Anagaw
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Misganaw Guadie Tiruneh
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Eneyew Talie Fenta
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia
| | - Destaw Endeshaw
- Department of Adult Health Nursing, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Amare Mebrat Delie
- Lecturer of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Injibara University, Injibara, Ethiopia
| | - Ousman Adal
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Emergeny, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Abiyu Abadi Tareke
- Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, COVID-19 Vaccine/EPI Technical Assistant at West Gondar Zonal Health Department, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Hasan Z, Netherland M, Hasan NA, Begum N, Yasmin M, Ahmed S. An insight into the vaginal microbiome of infertile women in Bangladesh using metagenomic approach. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1390088. [PMID: 39040604 PMCID: PMC11261484 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1390088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The dysbiosis of vaginal microbiota is recognized as a potential underlying factor contributing to infertility in women. This study aimed to compare the vaginal microbiomes of infertile and fertile women to investigate their relationship with infertility. Methods Metagenomic analysis was conducted on samples from 5 infertile and 5 fertile individuals using both amplicon 16S and metagenomics shotgun sequencing methods. Results and discussion In the infertile group, the bacterial community was primarily represented by three major bacterial genera: Lactobacillus (79.42%), Gardnerella (12.56%) and Prevotella (3.33%), whereas, the fertile group exhibited a more diverse composition with over 8 major bacterial genera, accompanied by significantly reduced abundance of Lactobacillus (48.79%) and Gardnerella (6.98%). At the species level, higher abundances of L. iners, L. gasseri and G. vaginalis were observed in the infertile group. Regarding the microbiome composition, only one fertile and two infertile subjects exhibited the healthiest Community State Types, CST-1, while CST-3 was observed among two infertile and one fertile subject, and CST-4 in three other fertile and one infertile subject. Overall, alpha diversity metrics indicated greater diversity and lower species richness in the control (fertile) group, while the infertile group displayed the opposite trend. However, beta-diversity analysis did not show distinct clustering of samples associated with any specific group; instead, it demonstrated CST-type specific clustering. Shotgun metagenomics further confirmed the dominance of Firmicutes, with a greater abundance of Lactobacillus species in the infertile group. Specifically, L. iners and G. vaginalis were identified as the most dominant and highly abundant in the infertile group. Fungi were only identified in the control group, dominated by Penicillium citrinum (62.5%). Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) corroborated read-based taxonomic profiling, with the taxon L. johnsonii identified exclusively in disease samples. MAG identities shared by both groups include Shamonda orthobunyavirus, L. crispatus, Human endogenous retrovirus K113, L. iners, and G. vaginalis. Interestingly, the healthy microbiomes sequenced in this study contained two clusters, Penicillium and Staphylococcus haemolyticus, not found in the public dataset. In conclusion, this study suggests that lower species diversity with a higher abundance of L. iners, L. gasseri and G. vaginalis, may contribute to female infertility in our study datasets. However, larger sample sizes are necessary to further evaluate such association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahid Hasan
- Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Nurjahan Begum
- Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mahmuda Yasmin
- Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sangita Ahmed
- Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Goddard-Eckrich D, Stringer KL, Richer A, Dasgupta A, Brooks D, Cervantes M, Downey DL, Kelleher P, Bell SL, Hunt T, Wu E, Johnson KA, Hall J, Guy-Cupid GAN, Thomas BV, Edwards K, Ramesh V, Gilbert L. 'Yeah, they suck. It's like they don't care about our health.' Medical mistrust among Black women under community supervision in New York city. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38915232 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2024.2358084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Black women in the USA experience some of the poorest health outcomes and this is especially true for those involved in the carceral system who are at elevated risks for HIV/STIs, reproductive health, and chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate Black women's experience accessing healthcare services. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 43 women from Project EWORTH under community supervision in New York City. We analysed responses focusing on barriers to healthcare engagement. All interviews were recorded, and data analysis was conducted using NVivo. Themes influencing Black women's ability to engage with healthcare providers and systems included: 1) disclosed provider mistrust/judgement; 2) feeling disrespected by providers and the medical system; 3) mistrust of medical providers/system/hospital/government; 4) lack of health communication; 5) low health literacy; 6) provider gender preference. Findings highlight the need to improve trust and collaboration between healthcare providers and Black women. This study addresses the critical gap in understanding perceptions of discrimination, stigma, and barriers to attaining health care. Funders and accreditation agencies must hold providers and organisations accountable for acquiring and making available diversity, equity and inclusion training for providers, demonstrating increasingly equitable medical relationships through responsiveness to patient feedback, and increasing the number of Black providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Goddard-Eckrich
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Kristi L Stringer
- Department of Health and Human Performance, Public Health. Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA
| | - Ariel Richer
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Anindita Dasgupta
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Deidra Brooks
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Melissa Cervantes
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Dget L Downey
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Phoebe Kelleher
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Sydney L Bell
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Timothy Hunt
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Elwin Wu
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Karen A Johnson
- School of Social Work, University of AL, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Jennifer Hall
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Gail-Ann N Guy-Cupid
- College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, Social Work Program, University of The Virgin Islands, Saint. Thomas/Saint Croix, UVI, USA
| | - Brittany V Thomas
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Kevonyah Edwards
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Vineha Ramesh
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
| | - Louisa Gilbert
- The Social Intervention Group, School of Social Work, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA
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Mitchell E, Bennett LR. Infertility in the Pacific: A crucial component of the sexual and reproductive health and rights agenda. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2024; 64:297-299. [PMID: 38263768 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Across Pacific Island countries, women and men are disproportionately affected by several risk factors for infertility, including sexually transmissible infections, complications from unsafe abortions, postpartum sepsis, obesity, diabetes, tobacco smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Despite this, little is known about community awareness of infertility, behavioural risk factors, the lived experiences of infertile couples or the contexts in which they access fertility care. In this opinion piece we discuss the current evidence and gaps in evidence regarding infertility in Pacific Island countries and the importance of locally tailored approaches to preventing infertility and the provision of fertility care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Mitchell
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Linda Rae Bennett
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Choi G, Song KS, Nimse SB, Kim T. Development of a DNA-Based Lateral Flow Strip Membrane Assay for Rapid Screening and Genotyping of Six High-Incidence STD Pathogens. BIOSENSORS 2024; 14:260. [PMID: 38785734 PMCID: PMC11118844 DOI: 10.3390/bios14050260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a global concern because approximately 1 million new cases emerge daily. Most STDs are curable, but if left untreated, they can cause severe long-term health implications, including infertility and even death. Therefore, a test enabling rapid and accurate screening and genotyping of STD pathogens is highly awaited. Herein, we present the development of the DNA-based 6STD Genotyping 9G Membrane test, a lateral flow strip membrane assay, for the detection and genotyping of six STD pathogens, including Trichomonas vaginalis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, and Mycoplasma genitalium. Here, we developed a multiplex PCR primer set that allows PCR amplification of genomic materials for these six STD pathogens. We also developed the six ssDNA probes that allow highly efficient detection of the six STD pathogens. The 6STD Genotyping 9G Membrane test lets us obtain the final detection and genotyping results in less than 30 m after PCR at 25 °C. The accuracy of the 6STD Genotyping 9G membrane test in STD genotyping was confirmed by its 100% concordance with the sequencing results of 120 clinical samples. Therefore, the 6STD Genotyping 9G Membrane test emerges as a promising diagnostic tool for precise STD genotyping, facilitating informed decision-making in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunho Choi
- Biometrix Technology, Inc., 2-2 Bio Venture Plaza 56, Chuncheon 24232, Republic of Korea; (G.C.); (K.-S.S.)
| | - Keum-Soo Song
- Biometrix Technology, Inc., 2-2 Bio Venture Plaza 56, Chuncheon 24232, Republic of Korea; (G.C.); (K.-S.S.)
| | - Satish Balasaheb Nimse
- Institute of Applied Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
| | - Taisun Kim
- Institute of Applied Chemistry and Department of Chemistry, Hallym University, Chuncheon 24252, Republic of Korea
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Ku CW, Tan YB, Tan SI, Ku CO, Godfrey KM, Tan KH, Chan SY, Yang L, Yap F, Loy SL, Chan JKY. Holistic preconception care: Providing real-time guidance via a mobile app to optimise maternal and child health. ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 2024; 53:306-317. [PMID: 38920222 DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2023283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Preconception is a critical period to optimise gamete function and early placental development, essential for successful conception and long-term maternal-child health. However, there is a lack of preconception services and consequently, global fertility rates continue to fall and mothers embark on their pregnancy journey in poor health. There is an urgent need to implement a holistic community-level preconception care programme to optimise risk factors for poor fecundability and improve long-term maternal-child health. Method We reviewed current evidence on fecundability lifestyle risk factors, the efficacy of existing preconception interventions and the use of digital platforms for health optimisation, to create a new digital-based preconception intervention model that will be implemented via an app. We present the theory, content and mode of delivery of this holistic model targeting couples planning for pregnancy. Results We propose a new model featuring a user-friendly mobile app, which enables couples to self-assess fecundability risks through a personalised risk score that drives a tailored management plan. This tiered management provides anticipatory guidance supported by evidence-based recommen-dations, and promotes ongoing engagement for behavioural optimisation and specialist referrals as required. Based on the health belief model, this new model delivered with a mobile app seeks to shift couples' perceptions about their susceptibility and severity of subfertility, benefits of making a change and barriers to change. Conclusion Our proposed digital-based intervention model via a mobile app stands to enhance preconcep-tion care by providing personalised risk assessments, real-time feedback and tiered management to optimise preconception reproductive health of couples. This model forms a reference content framework for future preconception care intervention delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee Wai Ku
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | | | - Sze Ing Tan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Chee Onn Ku
- Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Keith M Godfrey
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton National Health Service Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Kok Hian Tan
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | - Shiao-Yng Chan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Liying Yang
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
- Department of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fabian Yap
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Department of Paediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | - See Ling Loy
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jerry Kok Yen Chan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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11
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Araya BM, Aldersey HM, Camara S, Alemu K, Dyer S, Velez MP. The varying estimation of infertility in Ethiopia: the need for a comprehensive definition. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:280. [PMID: 38720297 PMCID: PMC11077700 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03118-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is a marginalized sexual and reproductive health issue in low-resource settings. Globally, millions are affected by infertility, but the lack of a universal definition makes it difficult to estimate the prevalence of infertility at the population level. Estimating the prevalence of infertility may inform targeted and accessible intervention, especially for a resource-limited country like Ethiopia. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of female infertility in Ethiopia using the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) through two approaches: (i) the demographic approach and (ii) the current duration approach. METHODS Data from 15,683 women were obtained through the 2016 Ethiopian DHS. The demographic approach estimates infertility among women who had been married/in a union for at least five years, had never used contraceptives, and had a fertility desire. The current duration approach includes women at risk of pregnancy at the time of the survey and determines their current length of time-at-risk of pregnancy at 12, 24, and 36 months. Logistic regression analysis estimated the prevalence of infertility and factors associated using the demographic approach. Parametric survival analysis estimated the prevalence of infertility using the current duration approach. All estimates used sampling weights to account for the DHS sampling design. STATA 14 and R were used to perform the statistical analysis. RESULTS Using the demographic definition, the prevalence of infertility was 7.6% (95% CI 6.6-8.8). When stratified as primary and secondary infertility, the prevalence was 1.4% (95% CI 1.0-1.9) and 8.7% (95% CI 7.5-10.1), respectively. Using the current duration approach definition, the prevalence of overall infertility was 24.1% (95% CI 18.8-34.0) at 12-months, 13.4% (95% CI 10.1-18.6) at 24-months, and 8.8% (95% CI 6.5-12.3) at 36-months. CONCLUSION The demographic definition of infertility resulted in a lower estimate of infertility. The current duration approach definition could be more appropriate for the early detection and management of infertility in Ethiopia. The findings also highlight the need for a comprehensive definition of and emphasis on infertility. Future population-based surveys should incorporate direct questions related to infertility to facilitate epidemiological surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bilen Mekonnen Araya
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
- Department of Clinical Midwifery, School of Midwifery, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | | | - Saionara Camara
- Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Kassahun Alemu
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Silke Dyer
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Maria P Velez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
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12
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Rice J, Gibson J, Young E, Souder K, Cunningham K, Schmitt DM. Low Oxygen Concentration Reduces Neisseria gonorrhoeae Susceptibility to Resazurin. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:395. [PMID: 38786124 PMCID: PMC11117329 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13050395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae has developed resistance to every antibiotic currently approved for the treatment of gonorrhea, prompting the development of new therapies. The phenoxazine dye resazurin exhibits robust antimicrobial activity against N. gonorrhoeae in vitro but fails to limit vaginal colonization by N. gonorrhoeae in a mouse model. The lack of in vivo efficacy may be due to oxygen limitation as in vitro susceptibility assays with resazurin are conducted under atmospheric oxygen while a microaerophilic environment is present in the vagina. Here, we utilized broth microdilution assays to determine the susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae to resazurin under low and atmospheric oxygen conditions. The minimal inhibitory concentration of resazurin for multiple N. gonorrhoeae clinical isolates was significantly higher under low oxygen. This effect was specific to resazurin as N. gonorrhoeae was equally susceptible to other antibiotics under low and atmospheric oxygen conditions. The reduced susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae to resazurin under low oxygen was largely attributed to reduced oxidative stress, as the addition of antioxidants under atmospheric oxygen mimicked the reduced susceptibility to resazurin observed under low oxygen. Together, these data suggest oxygen concentration is an important factor to consider when evaluating the efficacy of new antibiotics against N. gonorrhoeae in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Deanna M. Schmitt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, West Liberty University, West Liberty, WV 26074, USA
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13
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Challagundla N, Shah D, Dalai SK, Agrawal-Rajput R. IFNγ insufficiency during mouse intra-vaginal Chlamydia trachomatis infection exacerbates alternative activation in macrophages with compromised CD40 functions. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 131:111821. [PMID: 38484664 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (C.tr), an obligate intracellular pathogen, causes asymptomatic genital infections in women and is a leading cause of preventable blindness. We have developed in vivo mouse models of acute and chronic C. trachomatis genital infection to explore the significance of macrophage-directed response in mediating immune activation/suppression. Our findings reveal that during chronic and repeated C. trachomatis infections, Th1 response is abated while Treg response is enhanced. Additionally, an increase in exhaustion (PD1, CTLA4) and anergic (Klrg3, Tim3) T cell markers is observed during chronic infection. We have also observed that M2 macrophages with low CD40 expression promote Th2 and Treg differentiation leading to sustained C. trachomatis genital infection. Macrophages infected with C. trachomatis or treated with supernatant of infected epithelial cells drive them to an M2 phenotype. C. trachomatis infection prevents the increase in CD40 expression as observed in western blots and flow cytometric analysis. Insufficient IFNγ, as observed during chronic infection, leads to incomplete clearance of bacteria and poor immune activation. C. trachomatis decapacitates IFNγ responsiveness in macrophages via hampering IFNγRI and IFNγRII expression which can be correlated with poor expression of MHC-II, CD40, iNOS and NO release even following IFNγ supplementation. M2 macrophages during C. trachomatis infection express low CD40 rendering immunosuppressive, Th2 and Treg differentiation which could not be reverted even by IFNγ supplementation. The alternative macrophages also harbour high bacterial load and are poor responders to IFNγ, thus promoting immunosuppression. In summary, C. trachomatis modulates the innate immune cells, attenuating the anti-chlamydial functions of T cells in a manner that involves decreased CD40 expression on macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naveen Challagundla
- Immunology Lab, Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
| | - Dhruvi Shah
- Immunology Lab, Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
| | - Sarat K Dalai
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, S.G. Highway, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
| | - Reena Agrawal-Rajput
- Immunology Lab, Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
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14
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Brandolini M, Grumiro L, Farabegoli P, Dirani G, Zannoli S, Zaghi I, Guerra M, Taddei F, Gatti G, Marzucco A, Montanari MS, De Pascali AM, Semprini S, Cricca M, Sambri V. Evaluation of a rapid Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) test for the laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298398. [PMID: 38512825 PMCID: PMC10956856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have seen a considerable increase in the last years and given the health burden they may represent from both a personal and community perspective, they require surveillance and prevention programmes based on a timely and decentralized diagnosis. In this context, user-friendly rapid molecular tests may represent a good trade-off between diagnostic accuracy, accessibility and affordability. In this study we evaluated the diagnostic performance of a new real-time LAMP (Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) method for the rapid detection and differentiation of 7 major sexually transmissible pathogens by analysing real clinical samples (genital and extra-genital matrices) from individuals with suspected STIs. The assay showed good overall diagnostic performances in terms of sensitivity, specificity and concordance with a gold-standard PCR-based molecular method. This assay, not requiring specialised laboratory technicians or expensive instrumentation, but nonetheless capable of guaranteeing accurate results, is within the reach of outpatient settings, obstetrics, and gynaecology clinic, hence ensuring on-field access to early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Brandolini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Grumiro
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Farabegoli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Giorgio Dirani
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Silvia Zannoli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Irene Zaghi
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Guerra
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Taddei
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Gatti
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Anna Marzucco
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Mistral De Pascali
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simona Semprini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Monica Cricca
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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15
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Venkatesh SS, Wittemans LBL, Palmer DS, Baya NA, Ferreira T, Hill B, Lassen FH, Parker MJ, Reibe S, Elhakeem A, Banasik K, Bruun MT, Erikstrup C, Jensen BA, Juul A, Mikkelsen C, Nielsen HS, Ostrowski SR, Pedersen OB, Rohde PD, Sorensen E, Ullum H, Westergaard D, Haraldsson A, Holm H, Jonsdottir I, Olafsson I, Steingrimsdottir T, Steinthorsdottir V, Thorleifsson G, Figueredo J, Karjalainen MK, Pasanen A, Jacobs BM, Hubers N, Lippincott M, Fraser A, Lawlor DA, Timpson NJ, Nyegaard M, Stefansson K, Magi R, Laivuori H, van Heel DA, Boomsma DI, Balasubramanian R, Seminara SB, Chan YM, Laisk T, Lindgren CM. Genome-wide analyses identify 21 infertility loci and over 400 reproductive hormone loci across the allele frequency spectrum. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.03.19.24304530. [PMID: 38562841 PMCID: PMC10984039 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.19.24304530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) may help inform treatments for infertility, whose causes remain unknown in many cases. Here we present GWAS meta-analyses across six cohorts for male and female infertility in up to 41,200 cases and 687,005 controls. We identified 21 genetic risk loci for infertility (P≤5E-08), of which 12 have not been reported for any reproductive condition. We found positive genetic correlations between endometriosis and all-cause female infertility (rg=0.585, P=8.98E-14), and between polycystic ovary syndrome and anovulatory infertility (rg=0.403, P=2.16E-03). The evolutionary persistence of female infertility-risk alleles in EBAG9 may be explained by recent directional selection. We additionally identified up to 269 genetic loci associated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone, oestradiol, and testosterone through sex-specific GWAS meta-analyses (N=6,095-246,862). While hormone-associated variants near FSHB and ARL14EP colocalised with signals for anovulatory infertility, we found no rg between female infertility and reproductive hormones (P>0.05). Exome sequencing analyses in the UK Biobank (N=197,340) revealed that women carrying testosterone-lowering rare variants in GPC2 were at higher risk of infertility (OR=2.63, P=1.25E-03). Taken together, our results suggest that while individual genes associated with hormone regulation may be relevant for fertility, there is limited genetic evidence for correlation between reproductive hormones and infertility at the population level. We provide the first comprehensive view of the genetic architecture of infertility across multiple diagnostic criteria in men and women, and characterise its relationship to other health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samvida S Venkatesh
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Laura B L Wittemans
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan S Palmer
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolas A Baya
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Teresa Ferreira
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
| | - Barney Hill
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Frederik Heymann Lassen
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
| | - Melody J Parker
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Saskia Reibe
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ahmed Elhakeem
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Karina Banasik
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mie T Bruun
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christian Erikstrup
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bitten A Jensen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Anders Juul
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Mikkelsen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henriette S Nielsen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sisse R Ostrowski
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ole B Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Zealand University Hospital, Kge, Denmark
| | - Palle D Rohde
- Genomic Medicine, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Erik Sorensen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - David Westergaard
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Asgeir Haraldsson
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Children's Hospital Iceland, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Hilma Holm
- deCODE genetics/Amgen, Inc., Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Ingileif Jonsdottir
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- deCODE genetics/Amgen, Inc., Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Isleifur Olafsson
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Thora Steingrimsdottir
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | - Jessica Figueredo
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Minna K Karjalainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Research Unit of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Finland
- Northern Finland Birth Cohorts, Arctic Biobank, Infrastructure for Population Studies, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Anu Pasanen
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Center Oulu, University of Oulu, and Department of Children and Adolescents, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Benjamin M Jacobs
- Centre for Preventive Neurology, Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Queen Mary University London, London, EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Nikki Hubers
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Margaret Lippincott
- Harvard Reproductive Sciences Center and Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Abigail Fraser
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah A Lawlor
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J Timpson
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Mette Nyegaard
- Genomic Medicine, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Kari Stefansson
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- deCODE genetics/Amgen, Inc., Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Reedik Magi
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Hannele Laivuori
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Medical and Clinical Genetics, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tampere University Hospital, Finland
- Center for Child, Adolescent, and Maternal Health Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Finland
| | - David A van Heel
- Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University London, London, E1 2AT, United Kingdom
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Netherlands Twin Register, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ravikumar Balasubramanian
- Harvard Reproductive Sciences Center and Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stephanie B Seminara
- Harvard Reproductive Sciences Center and Reproductive Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yee-Ming Chan
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Triin Laisk
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Cecilia M Lindgren
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7LF, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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16
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Zeng J, Wu T, Wang L, Yu L, Lin H, Chen Z. Characteristics of reproductive tract infections caused by common pathogens among the outpatients of reproductive medicine center in Putian: retrospective study. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:315. [PMID: 38486167 PMCID: PMC10941379 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09180-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to explore the infection and age distribution of Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Herpes simplex virus type II (HSV II) among the outpatients of Reproductive Medicine Center in Putian, Fujian Province to provide a clinical basis for the early diagnosis and treatment of various reproductive tract diseases and infertility in this region. METHODS A total of 1736 samples of secretions and exfoliated cervical cells were collected from the outpatients of the Reproductive Medicine Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Putian University from December 2021 to April 2023. The infections of UU, CT, NG and HSVII were detected by real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the infection statuses of the patients with different genders, ages and diagnoses were analysed. RESULTS Among the 1736 patients, 611 were male and 1125 were female. The male patients had higher UU infection rate but lower HSV II infection rate than the female patients. No significant difference in CT and NG infection rates was observed between the genders. The CT infection rate gradually decreased with the increase in the age. The difference in UU, NG and HSV II infection rates among the different age groups was not statistically significant. For UU infection, the male infertile patients had the highest rate of 37.72% (172/456). Meanwhile, the differences in CT, NG and HSV II infection rates among the different diagnosis groups were not statistically significant. Among the male and female infertile patients, the CT infection rate was the highest in the 21-25 years of age group at 11.11% (2/18) and 9.47% (9/95), respectively. No statistically significant difference in UU, CT, NG and HSV II infection rates was observed among the different age groups of patients diagnosed in relation to the family planning guidance and between the male and female patients with other diagnoses results. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that UU was the most frequently identified pathogen in infertile men in Putian, Fujian Province. The CT infection rate was the highest in people under 20 years old, and the infection showed a tendency toward young individuals. Therefore, the publicity of sexual health knowledge must be strengthened, and the prevention and treatment of venereal diseases among young and middle-aged people must be improved. Moreover, the pathogen infection is related to infertility to a certain extent, which is conducive to clinical diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiancheng Zeng
- The Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian University, No.999 Dongzhen East Road, Licheng District, Putian, Fujian, China
| | - Tingli Wu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian University, No.999 Dongzhen East Road, Licheng District, Putian, Fujian, China
| | - Laiping Wang
- Comprehensive Technology Service Center of Quanzhou Customs, Inspection and Quarantine Bureau Building, South Section of Citong East Road, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Liumin Yu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian University, No.999 Dongzhen East Road, Licheng District, Putian, Fujian, China
| | - Hua Lin
- The Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian University, No.999 Dongzhen East Road, Licheng District, Putian, Fujian, China.
- Key Laboratory of Medical Microecology (Putian University), Fujian Province University, No.1133 Xueyuan Middle Street, Chengxiang District, Putian, Fujian, China.
| | - Zhanfei Chen
- The Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian University, No.999 Dongzhen East Road, Licheng District, Putian, Fujian, China.
- Key Laboratory of Medical Microecology (Putian University), Fujian Province University, No.1133 Xueyuan Middle Street, Chengxiang District, Putian, Fujian, China.
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17
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Allan-Blitz LT, Sanders G, Shah P, Adams G, Jarolimova J, Ard K, Branda JA, Klausner JD, Sabeti PC, Lemieux JE. Clinical Performance of Cas13a-based Point-of-Care Lateral Flow Assay for Detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.03.01.24303603. [PMID: 38496586 PMCID: PMC10942539 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.01.24303603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Background Diagnosis of Neisseria (N.) gonorrhoeae is dependent on nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT), which is not available in resource-limited settings where the prevalence of infection is highest. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics leveraging the high specificity of CRISPR enzymes can permit field-deployable, point-of-care lateral flow assays. We previously reported on the development and in vitro performance of a lateral flow assay for detecting N. gonorrhoeae. Here we aimed to pair that assay with point-of-care DNA extraction techniques and assess the performance on clinical urine specimens. Methods We collected an additional urine specimen among individuals enrolling in an ongoing clinical trial at the Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Health Clinic who presented with symptoms of urethritis or cervicitis (urethral or vaginal discharge, dysuria, or dyspareunia). We then assessed thermal, detergent, and combination DNA extraction conditions, varying the duration of heat at 95°C and concentration of Triton X. We assessed the efficacy of the various DNA extraction methods by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Once an extraction method was selected, we incubated samples for 90 minutes to permit isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification. We then assessed the performance of lateral flow Cas13a-based detection using our previously designed porA probe and primer system for N. gonorrhoeae detection, comparing lateral flow results with NAAT results from clinical care. Results We assessed DNA extraction conditions on 3 clinical urine specimens. There was no consistent significant difference in copies per microliter of DNA obtained using more or less heat. On average, we noted that 0.02% triton combined with 5 minutes of heating to 95°C resulted in the highest DNA yield, however, 0.02% triton alone resulted in a quantity of DNA that was above the previously determined analytic sensitivity of the assay. Given that detergent-based extraction is more easily deployable, we selected that as our method for extraction. We treated 23 clinical specimens with 0.02% triton, which we added to the Cas13a detection system. We ran all lateral flow detections in duplicate. The Cas13a-based assay detected 8 of 8 (100%) positive specimens, and 0 of 15 negative specimens. Conclusion Using point-of-care DNA extraction, isothermal amplification, and Cas13a-based detection, our point-of-care lateral flow N. gonorrhoeae assay correctly identified 23 clinical urine specimens as either positive or negative. Further evaluation of this assay among larger samples and more diverse sample types is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lao-Tzu Allan-Blitz
- Division of Global Health Equity: Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Gabriela Sanders
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Palak Shah
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Gordon Adams
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jana Jarolimova
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Kevin Ard
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - John A. Branda
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jeffrey D. Klausner
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Pardis C. Sabeti
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, MA
| | - Jacob E. Lemieux
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
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Nerlander L, Champezou L, Gomes Dias J, Aspelund G, Berlot L, Constantinou E, Díaz A, Epštein J, Fogarassy E, Hernando V, Hoffmann P, Igoe D, Klavs I, Pinto Leite P, Liitsola K, McIntyre A, Molnár Z, Olsen AO, Pires-Afonso Y, Putniņa R, Rudaitis K, Siakallis G, de Stoppelaar S, Suligoi B, Hannila-Handelberg T, Velicko I, Cabral Veríssimo V, Visser M, Wessman M, Mårdh O. Sharp increase in gonorrhoea notifications among young people, EU/EEA, July 2022 to June 2023. Euro Surveill 2024; 29:2400113. [PMID: 38456219 PMCID: PMC10986672 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2024.29.10.2400113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Gonorrhoea cases increased steeply in women aged 20 to 24 years across 15 EU/EEA countries in July to December 2022 and January to June 2023 with, respectively, 73% and 89% more cases reported than expected, based on historical data from 2015 to 2019. Smaller increases among men due to heterosexual transmission were observed in nine EU/EEA countries. Interventions to raise awareness among young people about sexually transmitted infection risks are needed, emphasising the benefit of safe sexual practices and testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Nerlander
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lydia Champezou
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joana Gomes Dias
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gudrun Aspelund
- Centre for Health Security and Communicable Disease Control, Directorate of Health, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Lina Berlot
- Communicable Diseases Centre, National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Asunción Díaz
- National Centre of Epidemiology, CIBER in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jevgenia Epštein
- Department of Communicable Diseases Epidemiology Health Board, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Erika Fogarassy
- National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Victoria Hernando
- National Centre of Epidemiology, CIBER in Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Patrick Hoffmann
- Health Directorate Luxembourg, Division de l'inspection sanitaire, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Derval Igoe
- HSE Public Health: National Health Protection Office, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Irena Klavs
- Communicable Diseases Centre, National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Pedro Pinto Leite
- Directorate of Information and Analysis, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Kirsi Liitsola
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Angeline McIntyre
- HSE Public Health: National Health Protection Office, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zsuzsanna Molnár
- National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anne Olaug Olsen
- Department of Infection Control and Vaccine, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Yolanda Pires-Afonso
- Health Directorate Luxembourg, Division de l'inspection sanitaire, Luxembourg, Luxembourg
| | - Renāte Putniņa
- The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Riga, Latvia
| | | | | | | | - Barbara Suligoi
- National AIDS Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Inga Velicko
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vítor Cabral Veríssimo
- Public Health Unit Cascais, Western Lisbon Local Health Unit, Lisbon, Portugal
- Directorate of Information and Analysis, Directorate-General of Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maartje Visser
- Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Wessman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Otilia Mårdh
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
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19
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Fauser BCJM, Adamson GD, Boivin J, Chambers GM, de Geyter C, Dyer S, Inhorn MC, Schmidt L, Serour GI, Tarlatzis B, Zegers-Hochschild F. Declining global fertility rates and the implications for family planning and family building: an IFFS consensus document based on a narrative review of the literature. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:153-173. [PMID: 38197291 PMCID: PMC10905510 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Family-planning policies have focused on contraceptive approaches to avoid unintended pregnancies, postpone, or terminate pregnancies and mitigate population growth. These policies have contributed to significantly slowing world population growth. Presently, half the countries worldwide exhibit a fertility rate below replacement level. Not including the effects of migration, many countries are predicted to have a population decline of >50% from 2017 to 2100, causing demographic changes with profound societal implications. Policies that optimize chances to have a child when desired increase fertility rates and are gaining interest as a family-building method. Increasingly, countries have implemented child-friendly policies (mainly financial incentives in addition to public funding of fertility treatment in a limited number of countries) to mitigate decreasing national populations. However, the extent of public spending on child benefits varies greatly from country to country. To our knowledge, this International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) consensus document represents the first attempt to describe major disparities in access to fertility care in the context of the global trend of decreasing growth in the world population, based on a narrative review of the existing literature. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The concept of family building, the process by which individuals or couples create or expand their families, has been largely ignored in family-planning paradigms. Family building encompasses various methods and options for individuals or couples who wish to have children. It can involve biological means, such as natural conception, as well as ART, surrogacy, adoption, and foster care. Family-building acknowledges the diverse ways in which individuals or couples can create their desired family and reflects the understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building a family. Developing education programs for young adults to increase family-building awareness and prevent infertility is urgently needed. Recommendations are provided and important knowledge gaps identified to provide professionals, the public, and policymakers with a comprehensive understanding of the role of child-friendly policies. SEARCH METHODS A narrative review of the existing literature was performed by invited global leaders who themselves significantly contributed to this research field. Each section of the review was prepared by two to three experts, each of whom searched the published literature (PubMed) for peer reviewed full papers and reviews. Sections were discussed monthly by all authors and quarterly by the review board. The final document was prepared following discussions among all team members during a hybrid invitational meeting where full consensus was reached. OUTCOMES Major advances in fertility care have dramatically improved family-building opportunities since the 1990s. Although up to 10% of all children are born as a result of fertility care in some wealthy countries, there is great variation in access to care. The high cost to patients of infertility treatment renders it unaffordable for most. Preliminary studies point to the increasing contribution of fertility care to the global population and the associated economic benefits for society. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Fertility care has rarely been discussed in the context of a rapid decrease in world population growth. Soon, most countries will have an average number of children per woman far below the replacement level. While this may have a beneficial impact on the environment, underpopulation is of great concern in many countries. Although governments have implemented child-friendly policies, distinct discrepancies in access to fertility care remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart C J M Fauser
- University Medical Center Utrecht, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Silke Dyer
- Groot Schuur Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Brisson J, Withers M. Empowering the next generation: integrating adolescents into the Reproductive Justice movement. MEDICAL HUMANITIES 2024; 50:95-102. [PMID: 38388184 DOI: 10.1136/medhum-2023-012730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
This article explores the ethical implications of mandatory parental consent requirements for adolescents seeking sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS). Using a Reproductive Justice framework, which identifies systemic barriers to accessing healthcare services, we examine ageism as a potential factor restricting adolescents' access to SRHS. While the Reproductive Justice framework has addressed systemic issues like racism and ableism in healthcare, ageism involving adolescents has been less explored. The article challenges the pertinence of mandatory parental consent requirements-as a potential barrier-for adolescents' access to SRHS. We argue that in the specific context of SRHS (contraceptives, abortion, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections), adolescents' autonomy (self-determination) should be respected if they request to access those services independently. From a global health perspective, adolescents have a low prevalence and uneven access to SRHS. To address the issue, we propose the integration of adolescence into the Reproductive Justice movement to empower them through education on how to access the SRHS they need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Brisson
- Department of Social & Preventive Medicine, École de Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Social & Behavioural Health Sciences Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mellissa Withers
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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21
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Dakre SM, More A, Dutta S, Ulhe SM, Choudhary N. Combination Therapy With Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) for Thin Endometrium: A Case Report. Cureus 2024; 16:e54378. [PMID: 38505459 PMCID: PMC10948380 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.54378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
This case study highlights the challenges faced by a couple with a history of two failed in-vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts, including miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. After treating the female partner for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) with ceftriaxone and doxycycline, the decision was made to proceed with intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and fresh embryo transfer. Despite the transfer of two good-quality (4AB and 3AA) day five embryos, the human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) test yielded a negative result. Upon re-examination, a thin endometrium measuring 6.5mm was identified, prompting the implementation of the protocol for improvement of endometrial receptivity (PRIMER) protocol, which involves a combination of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Following PRP administration and G-CSF injection, significant improvement was observed in the endometrial thickness. Subsequently, frozen embryo transfer (FET) was performed on day six of progesterone, resulting in a positive pregnancy outcome with a β-hCG level of 234 mIU/ml. Continuous adherence to instructions and ongoing administration of G-CSF until the 12th week of gestation remains important. This case underscores the efficacy of the PRIMER protocol in overcoming obstacles such as recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and achieving positive outcomes in assisted reproductive technology (ART).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhanshu M Dakre
- Clinical Embryology, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Akash More
- Clinical Embryology, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Shilpa Dutta
- Clinical Embryology, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Shradha M Ulhe
- Clinical Embryology, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Namrata Choudhary
- Clinical Embryology, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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22
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Klasner C, Macintyre AN, Brown SE, Bavoil P, Ghanem KG, Nylander E, Ravel J, Tuddenham S, Brotman RM. A Narrative Review on Spontaneous Clearance of Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis: Host, Microbiome, and Pathogen-Related Factors. Sex Transm Dis 2024; 51:112-117. [PMID: 38290156 PMCID: PMC11017733 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Untreated urogenital infection in women can result in adverse sequelae such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Despite national screening and treatment guidelines, rates continue to rise; because most infections are asymptomatic, the actual prevalence of CT infection is likely significantly higher than reported. Spontaneous clearance of CT in women (in the absence of antibiotic treatment) has been described in multiple epidemiologic studies. Given the serious consequences and high prevalence of CT infection, there is growing interest in understanding this phenomenon and factors that may promote CT clearance in women. Spontaneous CT clearance is likely the result of complex interactions between CT, the host immune system, and the vaginal microbiota (i.e., the communities of bacteria inhabiting the vagina), which has been implicated in CT acquisition. Herein, we briefly review current literature regarding the role of each of these factors in spontaneous CT clearance, identify knowledge gaps, and discuss future directions and possible implications for the development of novel interventions that may protect against CT infection, facilitate clearance, and prevent reproductive sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carson Klasner
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew N. Macintyre
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute and Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sarah E. Brown
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Khalil G. Ghanem
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Elisabeth Nylander
- Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Susan Tuddenham
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rebecca M. Brotman
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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23
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Gresham B, Thyden NH, Gailey S, Osypuk TL. Effect of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Housing Vouchers on Adolescent Risky Sexual Behavior Over a 15-Year Period. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:457-469. [PMID: 38167990 PMCID: PMC10923197 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02736-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
We examined whether a housing voucher intervention influenced adolescent risky sexual behavior (RSB) across 15 years in the Moving to Opportunity Study. Low-income families in public housing that resided in 5 cities were randomized to one of three treatment groups: a housing voucher to move to low-poverty neighborhoods (i.e., < 10% poverty rate), a Sect. 8 voucher but no housing relocation counseling, or a control group that could remain in public housing. Youth and their caregivers completed baseline surveys, as well as two uniform follow-ups: interim (2001-2002; 4-7 years after baseline) and final (2008-2010; 10-15 years after baseline). Approximately 4,600 adolescents (50.5% female) aged 13-20 years participated at the final timepoint. Adolescents reported on their RSB, including condom use, other contraceptive use, early sexual initiation (< 15 years old), and 2+ sexual partners in the past year. We modeled each indicator separately and as part of a composite index. We tested baseline health vulnerabilities as potential effect modifiers. The low-poverty voucher group and the Sect. 8 voucher group were combined due to homogeneity of their effects. Applying intent-to-treat (ITT) regression analyses, we found no significant main effects of voucher receipt (vs. control) on any RSB. However, we found protective effects of voucher receipt on RSB among youth with health problems that limited activity, and youth < 7 at baseline but adverse effects among females, youth > 7 at baseline, and youth who were suspended/expelled from school. Results highlight the importance of understanding how housing interventions differentially influence adolescent health and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bria Gresham
- Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Naomi H Thyden
- Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Samantha Gailey
- Department of Forestry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Public Health, Michigan State University, Flint, MI, USA
| | - Theresa L Osypuk
- Minnesota Population Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
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Zalewska O, Wszołek K, Pięt M, Wilczak M, Chmaj-Wierzchowska K. Women's Awareness of Reproductive Health. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:158. [PMID: 38256418 PMCID: PMC10819813 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: reproductive disorders are a serious global concern in medical, social, and demographic contexts. According to estimates, approximately 10-15% of couples around the world suffer from infertility. Numerous studies have shown that modifiable lifestyle factors, such as a high-fat diet, a postponed decision to start a family, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, risky sexual behavior, psychiatric diseases, and chronic stress, have a negative influence on the fertility of women. The main goal of this study is to assess the knowledge of women about reproductive health, infertility risk factors, and causes of infertility and to determine whether the level of this knowledge varies based on sociodemographic variables. Materials and Methods: a survey was conducted among 111 patients who anonymously filled in a questionnaire comprising questions regarding fertility and its deficiencies. The results were analyzed using the Chi-square test and Fisher's test. Results: the survey results indicated that women had a good or very good level of knowledge of the causes of infertility. The obtained test results were statistically significant (p < 0.05), but the studied group did not possess sufficient knowledge of the symptoms characterizing the diseases related to limited fertility (p > 0.05). The level of knowledge on the diagnosis of infertility did not depend on the age of the examined people, their educational level, or personal experience in this field (p > 0.05). The results also revealed that the awareness of women on reproductive health was poor. The studied women had a low level of knowledge of infertility risk factors, and their knowledge did not correlate with age, educational level, or personal experiences. Conclusions: information on the aspects of reproductive health should be widely disseminated through public educational campaigns, aimed at correcting erroneous convictions among women about the risk factors for infertility and assisting them in improving fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliwia Zalewska
- Specialized Health Care Center for Mother and Child in Poznan, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, 60-235 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Wszołek
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-701 Poznan, Poland; (M.W.); (K.C.-W.)
| | - Małgorzata Pięt
- Facility of Practical Midwifery Study, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-701 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Maciej Wilczak
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-701 Poznan, Poland; (M.W.); (K.C.-W.)
| | - Karolina Chmaj-Wierzchowska
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-701 Poznan, Poland; (M.W.); (K.C.-W.)
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Abdo NM, Aslam I, Irfan S, George JA, Alsuwaidi AR, Ahmed LA, Al-Rifai RH. Seroepidemiology of Treponema pallidum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum in fertility treatment-seeking patients in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:163-171. [PMID: 38039859 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several genital pathogens affect fertility. The study estimated the seroprevalence of Treponema pallidum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma hominis and identify specific factors associated with exposure to at least one of these pathogens in patients seeking fertility treatment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. METHODS A seroepidemiological survey was conducted in a major fertility clinic in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Serum samples were screened for eight immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, and IgA) against T. pallidum, U. urealyticum, and M. hominis using enzyme-linked immunoassays. Factors associated with seropositivity to at least one of the pathogens were investigated. RESULTS The study surveyed 308 patients seeking fertility treatment (mean age: 36.1 ± 6.8 years). Most patients were female (88.0%), 24.9% had at least one chronic comorbidity, 19.3% had a previous genital infection, and 68.1% had been diagnosed with infertility for ≥ 6 months. Ig seroprevalence of T. pallidum (IgG: 3.0%, IgM: 3.2%), U. urealyticum (IgG: 2.6%, IgM: 2.0%), and M. hominis (IgG: 33.9%) was 6.4%, 4.6%, and 49.0%, respectively. Nearly one quarter (23.0%) and one decile (9.2%) of the patients exhibited evidence of ongoing infection (IgM seropositivity) or recent infection (IgA seropositivity) with M. hominis, respectively. Overall, 53.0% of the patients were seropositive for at least one of the screened immunoglobulins. Patients with an education level of secondary schooling or below (66.2%) or those who were unemployed (61.1%) had a higher seroprevalence of IgG antibodies compared with patients with college or higher-level education (48.4%) or those who were employed (48.1%) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Exposure to T. pallidum or U. urealyticum was relatively low, whereas that to M. hominis was common in the surveyed patients. Enhanced awareness and screening programmes for genital pathogens are crucial to prevent and control the transmission of infections and reduce the growing burden of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor Motea Abdo
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Irfan Aslam
- HealthPlus Fertility Center, HealthPlus Network of Specialty Centers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shazia Irfan
- HealthPlus Fertility Center, HealthPlus Network of Specialty Centers, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Junu A George
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed R Alsuwaidi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Luai A Ahmed
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rami H Al-Rifai
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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Shao L, Wang N, Yan Y, Tan Y, Wu Q, Lei L, Wang M, Liu L. Quercetin of huoxuehuayu tongluo decoction and azithromycin combination therapy effectively improves rat tubal factor infertility by inhibiting inflammation. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2024; 27:685-694. [PMID: 38645489 PMCID: PMC11024413 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2024.72049.15662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Objectives Tubal factor infertility (TFI) is common female infertility responsible for a large portion of female factor infertility. This study reveals the effect of the quercetin of Huoxuehuayu Tongluo Decoction with azithromycin on the pregnancy rate and inflammation of TFI female rats. Materials and Methods Female Sprague Dawley rats were constructed into the TFI model and treated with quercetin, Huoxuehuayu Tongluo Decoction, and combination therapy (quercetin and azithromycin). Pregnancy rate and litter size were measured. Network pharmacology was applied to analyze the interaction between Huoxuehuayu Tongluo Decoction and TFI. The combination of quercetin and IL-6 was analyzed by molecular docking. HE staining and electron microscopy were used to observe the histopathology and ultrastructure of fallopian tube tissues. The TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and MPO levels were detected by ELISA. The activation of JAK/STAT, MAPK, and NF-κB p65 pathways was detected by western blot or immunohistochemistry. Results Quercetin was the main active component of Huoxuehuayu Tongluo Decoction, and could bind to IL-6 in TFI. Target genes were enriched in the IL-17 signaling pathway, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, inflammatory disease, etc. Under the quercetin and azithromycin combination therapy, both rat pregnancy rates and litter sizes increased significantly. quercetin and azithromycin alleviated the symptoms of hydrosalpinx and inflammatory damage in fallopian tube tissues. The phosphorylation of JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways and NF-κB p65 translocation to the nucleus were significantly inhibited by the quercetin and azithromycin therapy. Conclusion Quercetin and azithromycin combination therapy inhibited inflammation and phosphorylation of JAK/STAT and MAPK pathways to improve TFI inflammation and pregnancy function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Shao
- Department of Emergency, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine College, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Nansu Wang
- Department of TCM Gynaecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine College, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of TCM Gynaecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine College, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Yali Tan
- Department of TCM Gynaecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine College, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Qin Wu
- Department of TCM Gynaecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine College, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Lei Lei
- Combine traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Institute, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mingming Wang
- Clinical Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine College, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Department of TCM Gynaecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine College, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
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Kumbaroff Z, Duff P, Saxton P, Sonder GJB, Thirkell C, Scott J, Walls T, Anglemyer A. Sexually Transmitted Infections and the Risk of Reinfection Within 12 Months: A Population-Based Cohort. Sex Transm Dis 2023; 50:775-781. [PMID: 37824285 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are common sexually transmitted infections that disproportionately affect specific groups in New Zealand (NZ). Predictors of reinfection are not well studied in NZ but could inform public health strategies to decrease sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence. METHODS New Zealand-wide chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis cases during 2019 were identified using nationally collected data. Cases were followed-up to identify reinfection with the same STI within 12 months of initial infections. Logistic regression models were used to identify predictors for each STI reinfection. RESULTS Determinants identified for increased odds of chlamydia reinfection were age groups 16-19 and 20-24 years, females, Māori and Pacific peoples, cases in the Northern region, and cases with at least one test before the initial infection. Age 40 years and older was associated with lower odds of gonorrhea reinfection, as was being of Asian ethnicity, living in Midland or Southern regions, and reporting heterosexual behavior. Region was the only statistically significant predictor for syphilis reinfection, with higher odds of reinfection for people living in the Central region. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reflect disproportionate STI rates for some groups in NZ, with younger age groups, Māori and Pacific peoples, men who have sex with men, and people living in the Northern region experiencing higher odds of reinfection. Groups identified with higher odds for reinfection require increased access to culturally responsive health services to treat, understand, and prevent possible reinfection. Changes to current public health strategies could include culturally specific behavioral counseling, and improvements to and adherence to effective contract tracing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Kumbaroff
- From the Health Intelligence Team, Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington
| | - Putu Duff
- From the Health Intelligence Team, Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington
| | - Peter Saxton
- School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Auckland
| | | | - Callum Thirkell
- From the Health Intelligence Team, Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington
| | - Julia Scott
- From the Health Intelligence Team, Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Wellington
| | - Tony Walls
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Otago, Christchurch
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Bodin M, Plantin L, Schmidt L, Ziebe S, Elmerstig E. The pros and cons of fertility awareness and information: a generational, Swedish perspective. HUM FERTIL 2023; 26:216-225. [PMID: 34423731 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2021.1968045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Being aware of factors that affect fertility can help people make informed decisions about their reproductive futures. To some, however, fertility information leads to worry and self-blame. In this paper, we explore how people from different generations discuss fertility and reproductive decision-making, along with their perceptions of fertility information. The study was conducted in southern Sweden with 26 focus-group discussions that included a total of 110 participants aged 17-90 years. The material was analysed thematically. Our results show that fertility knowledge and openness to talking about fertility problems have increased over generations. Participants who were assigned female at birth were more often concerned about their fertility than those who were not, and fertility concerns were transferred from mothers to daughters. While age-related fertility concerns had been uncommon in older generations, participants aged 25-40 often expressed these concerns. Young adults appreciated being knowledgeable about fertility but simultaneously expressed how fertility information could lead to distress. Our conclusion is that fertility information was best received by high-school students, and efforts to improve fertility education in schools are therefore recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Bodin
- Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Lars Plantin
- Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Lone Schmidt
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
| | - Søren Ziebe
- Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eva Elmerstig
- Centre for Sexology and Sexuality Studies, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden
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Wagner AL, Lacombe-Duncan A, Boulton ML. Acceptance of a Future Gonorrhea Vaccine in a Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 World: Impact of Type of Recommendation and Changing Levels of Trust in Health Institutions and Authorities. Med Clin North Am 2023; 107:e19-e37. [PMID: 38609279 PMCID: PMC10261718 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2023.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Widespread uptake of a future gonorrhea vaccine could decrease the burden of disease and limit the spread of antibiotic resistance. However, gonorrhea vaccination will occur in the backdrop of the roll-out of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine, which could have influenced parental perceptions about other, non-COVID-19 vaccines. In an internet-based cross-sectional survey, 74% of parents would get a gonorrhea vaccine for their child, and this was higher among those whose trust in pharmaceutical companies increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. About 60% of adults aged 18 to 45 would receive a vaccine for themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abram L Wagner
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Ashley Lacombe-Duncan
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Matthew L Boulton
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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30
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Allan-Blitz LT, Shah P, Adams G, Branda JA, Klausner JD, Goldstein R, Sabeti PC, Lemieux JE. Development of Cas13a-based assays for Neisseria gonorrhoeae detection and gyrase A determination. mSphere 2023; 8:e0041623. [PMID: 37732792 PMCID: PMC10597441 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00416-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections. The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant N. gonorrhoeae is an urgent public health threat. Currently, the diagnosis of N. gonorrhoeae infection requires expensive laboratory infrastructure, while antimicrobial susceptibility determination requires bacterial culture, both of which are infeasible in low-resource areas where the prevalence of infection is highest. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics, such as specific high-sensitivity enzymatic reporter unlocking (SHERLOCK) using CRISPR-Cas13a and isothermal amplification, have the potential to provide low-cost detection of pathogen and antimicrobial resistance. We designed and optimized RNA guides and primer sets for SHERLOCK assays capable of detecting N. gonorrhoeae via the porA gene and of predicting ciprofloxacin susceptibility via a single mutation in the gyrase A (gyrA) gene. We evaluated their performance using both synthetic DNA and purified N. gonorrhoeae isolates. For porA, we created both a fluorescence-based assay and lateral flow assay using a biotinylated fluorescein reporter. Both methods demonstrated sensitive detection of 14 N. gonorrhoeae isolates and no cross-reactivity with 3 non-gonococcal Neisseria isolates. For gyrA, we created a fluorescence-based assay that correctly distinguished between 20 purified N. gonorrhoeae isolates with phenotypic ciprofloxacin resistance and 3 with phenotypic susceptibility. We confirmed the gyrA genotype predictions from the fluorescence-based assay with DNA sequencing, which showed 100% concordance for the isolates studied. We report the development of Cas13a-based SHERLOCK assays that detect N. gonorrhoeae and differentiate ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates from ciprofloxacin-susceptible isolates. IMPORTANCE Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the cause of gonorrhea, disproportionately affects resource-limited settings. Such areas, however, lack the technical capabilities for diagnosing the infection. The consequences of poor or absent diagnostics include increased disease morbidity, which, for gonorrhea, includes an increased risk for HIV infection, infertility, and neonatal blindness, as well as an overuse of antibiotics that contributes to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. We used a novel CRISPR-based technology to develop a rapid test that does not require laboratory infrastructure for both diagnosing gonorrhea and predicting whether ciprofloxacin can be used in its treatment, a one-time oral pill. With further development, that diagnostic test may be of use in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lao-Tzu Allan-Blitz
- Division of Global Health Equity, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Palak Shah
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gordon Adams
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John A. Branda
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey D. Klausner
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Robert Goldstein
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pardis C. Sabeti
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacob E. Lemieux
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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31
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Orr C, Kelty E, O'Donnell M, Fisher CM, Glauert R, Preen DB. Reproductive and sexual health of Australian adolescents exposed to family and domestic violence. BMJ SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 49:245-253. [PMID: 36889813 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2022-201684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a dearth of research investigating sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in children exposed to family and domestic violence (FDV). Further, there is no research on terminations of pregnancy in children exposed to FDV. METHODS This retrospective cohort study used linked administrative data from Western Australia to investigate whether exposure to FDV is associated with a risk of hospitalisations for STIs and terminations of pregnancy in adolescents. This study involved children born from 1987 to 2010 whose mother was a victim of FDV. Identification of family and domestic violence was from two sources: police and hospital records. This approach provided an exposed cohort of 16 356 and a non-exposed cohort of 41 996. Dependant variables were hospitalisations for pregnancy terminations and STIs in children aged from 13 up to 18 years of age. The primary explanatory variable was exposure to FDV. Multivariable Cox regression was used to investigate the association of FDV exposure and the outcomes. RESULTS Following adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical factors, children exposed to FDV had an increased risk of hospitalisations for STIs (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.92) and terminations of pregnancy (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.63) as an adolescent than non-exposed peers. CONCLUSION Children exposed to FDV are at an increased risk of hospitalisation for STI and termination of pregnancy as an adolescent. Effective interventions are needed to support children exposed to FDV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Orr
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Erin Kelty
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Melissa O'Donnell
- The Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Colleen M Fisher
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Rebecca Glauert
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David B Preen
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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32
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McFadden C. From the Ground Up: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Past Fertility and Population Narratives. HUMAN NATURE (HAWTHORNE, N.Y.) 2023; 34:476-500. [PMID: 37723407 PMCID: PMC10543153 DOI: 10.1007/s12110-023-09459-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Population dynamics form a crucial component of human narratives in the past. Population responses and adaptations not only tell us about the human past but also offer insights into the present and future. Though an area of substantial interest, it is also one of often limited evidence. As such, traditional techniques from demography and anthropology must be adapted considerably to accommodate the available archaeological and ethnohistoric data and an appropriate inferential framework must be applied. In this article, I propose a ground-up, multidisciplinary approach to the study of past population dynamics. Specifically, I develop an empirically informed path diagram based on modern fertility interactions and sources of past environmental, sociocultural, and biological evidence to guide high-resolution case studies. The proposed approach is dynamic and can evolve in response to data inputs as case studies are undertaken. In application, this approach will create new knowledge of past population processes which can greatly enhance our presently limited knowledge of high-frequency, small-scale demographic fluctuations, as well as contribute to our broader understanding of significant population disturbances and change throughout human history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare McFadden
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
- School of Archaeology and Anthropology, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, 2601, Australia.
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Pulei AN, Lokken EM, Kinuthia J, Richardson BA, Mandaliya K, Jaoko W, McClelland RS. Derivation and Internal Validation of a Risk Score for Predicting Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Kenyan Women Planning Conception. Sex Transm Dis 2023; 50:625-633. [PMID: 36877639 PMCID: PMC11329225 DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000001795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Availability of laboratory confirmation of sexually transmitted infections is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, but costs continue to limit their access. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is a sexually transmitted infection of significant clinical importance, particularly among women. This study aimed to develop a risk score to identify women with a higher likelihood of CT infection, who could then be prioritized for laboratory testing, in a population of Kenyan women planning pregnancies. METHODS Women with fertility intentions were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for the association between demographic, medical, reproductive, and behavioral characteristics and the prevalence of CT infection. A risk score was developed and validated internally based on the regression coefficients in the final multivariable model. RESULTS The prevalence of CT was 7.4% (51 of 691). A risk score for predicting CT infection, with scores 0 to 6, was derived from participants' age, alcohol use, and presence of bacterial vaginosis. The prediction model yielded an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.78 (95% confidene interval [Cl], 0.72-0.84). A cutoff of ≤2 versus >2 identified 31.8% of women as higher risk with moderate sensitivity (70.6%; 95% Cl, 56.2-71.3) and specificity (71.3%; 95% Cl, 67.7-74.5). The bootstrap-corrected area under the receiver operating curve was 0.77 (95% Cl, 0.72-0.83). CONCLUSIONS In similar populations of women planning pregnancies, this type of risk score could be useful for prioritizing women for laboratory testing and would capture most women with CT infections while performing more costly testing in less than half of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erica M Lokken
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | | | | | - Walter Jaoko
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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Syed Khaja AS, Zafar M, Alshammari AMA, Alharbi S, Alghaithi AMS, Alshahri B, Saleem M, Parveen N, Mohammed G. Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude Toward Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Among Women in Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2023; 15:e45013. [PMID: 37829952 PMCID: PMC10565605 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a serious infection of the female reproductive system that can lead to long-term complications such as infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and ectopic pregnancy. PID is also associated with an increased risk of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Early diagnosis and treatment of PID is crucial to prevent complications. Despite the severe consequences of PID, many women are unaware of the risks associated with this condition. This lack of awareness can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment, increasing the risk of complications. This study explores women's knowledge and attitudes regarding PID. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a bilingual, community-based questionnaire, circulated using different social media platforms. A total of 239 participants were selected through convenient non-probability sampling from the public in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 26 (IBM Corp. Released 2019. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). The chi-square test was applied to determine the differences between knowledge and attitude levels with participants' socio-demographic characteristics. A p-value <0.005 was considered statistically significant. Results Appropriate PID knowledge level was found only in 32% of the respondents and was significantly associated with the respondents' family history of the PID (p=0.025). A positive attitude toward PID/STI was also observed only in 36% of the study participants, which was significantly associated with the respondents' age (p˂0.001), marital status (p˂0.001), occupation (p˂ 0.001), past medical/surgical history (p=0.006), and family history of the PID (p˂0.009). Conclusion The present study reported average levels of appropriate knowledge and attitudes toward PID among female respondents, which could be further improved by increasing PID/STI awareness programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mubashir Zafar
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Hail College of Medicine, Hail, SAU
| | | | - Saqer Alharbi
- Department of Pathology, University of Hail College of Medicine, Hail, SAU
| | | | - Badr Alshahri
- Department of Pathology, University of Hail College of Medicine, Hail, SAU
| | - Mohd Saleem
- Department of Pathology, University of Hail College of Medicine, Hail, SAU
| | - Nuzhat Parveen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hail College of Medicine, Hail, SAU
| | - Ghorashy Mohammed
- Department of Pathology, University of Hail College of Medicine, Hail, SAU
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Smith MS, South SC. Risky Sexual Behaviors as a Transaction of Individual Differences and Situational Context. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:2539-2560. [PMID: 37103633 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02592-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) incur large societal and personal costs. Despite widespread prevention efforts, RSBs and associated consequences (e.g., sexually transmitted infections) continue to rise. A proliferation of research has emerged on situational (e.g., alcohol use) and individual difference (e.g., impulsivity) factors to explain this rise, but these approaches assume an unrealistically static mechanism underlying RSB. Because this prior research has resulted in few compelling effects, we sought to innovate by examining the interaction of situation and individual differences in explaining RSBs. A large sample (N = 105) completed baseline reports of psychopathology and 30 daily diary reports of RSBs and associated contexts. These data were submitted to multilevel models including cross-level interactions to test a person-by-situation conceptualization of RSBs. Results suggested that RSBs are most strongly predicted from interactions of person- and situation-level factors in both protective and facilitative directions. These interactions outnumbered main effects and commonly included partner commitment as a central mechanism. These results point to theoretical and clinical gaps in preventing RSB and urge a departure from prior ways of conceptualizing sexual risk as a static outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Shea Smith
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, 703 3rd Street, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Susan C South
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, 703 3rd Street, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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Rajabpour M, Emamie AD, Pourmand MR. Evaluation of Chlamydia trachomatis Genotypes in Endocervical Specimens by Sequence Analysis of ompA Gene among Women in Tehran. J Trop Med 2023; 2023:8845565. [PMID: 37555018 PMCID: PMC10406551 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8845565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Tehran's actual prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and its genotypes are still unclear. Molecular typing of CT strains can provide essential epidemiological knowledge and contribute to improved control measures. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of CT and its genotypes in the endocervical infections of females who attended the gynecology and infertility clinics in Tehran. A total of 291 women were tested for chlamydial infection by in-house PCR using specific primers for the CT cryptic plasmid. Nested PCR for amplification of the ompA gene in positive samples was carried out, genotyping was performed by sequencing this gene, and further phylogenetic analysis was conducted. Sexual infection by CT was observed in 10.3% (30/291) of the subjects, and the mean age of patients was 30.4. The ompA gene was sequenced in 27 samples, revealing E genotypes 40.7%, (n = 11), F 25.9%, (n = 7), G 18.5%, (n = 5), D 11.1%, (n = 3), and K 3.7%, (n = 1). This study emphasizes the importance of the diversity among CT genotypes in our studied population and the need for wide-screening the neglected bacterial infection among women in Tehran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Rajabpour
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Darb Emamie
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Pourmand
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Yao H, Zhang X. A comprehensive review for machine learning based human papillomavirus detection in forensic identification with multiple medical samples. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1232295. [PMID: 37529327 PMCID: PMC10387549 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1232295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus. Cervical cancer is one of the highest incidences of cancer, almost all patients are accompanied by HPV infection. In addition, the occurrence of a variety of cancers is also associated with HPV infection. HPV vaccination has gained widespread popularity in recent years with the increase in public health awareness. In this context, HPV testing not only needs to be sensitive and specific but also needs to trace the source of HPV infection. Through machine learning and deep learning, information from medical examinations can be used more effectively. In this review, we discuss recent advances in HPV testing in combination with machine learning and deep learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanchun Yao
- Department of Cancer, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinglong Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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38
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Pebdeni PH, Saffari F, Mollaei HR, Mirshekari TR, Sadat RH, Habibzadeh V, Saeed L, Soodejani MT, Ahmadrajabi R. Increased Risk of Infertility in Women Infected with Human Papillomavirus. J Reprod Infertil 2023; 24:188-197. [PMID: 37663425 PMCID: PMC10471950 DOI: 10.18502/jri.v24i3.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Among several causes of infertility, urogenital infections seem to be influencing factors. The effect of bacterial or viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on human fertility is not well understood. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of STIs in cervical samples of infertile and fertile women and study the relationship between these agents and infertility. Methods In this case-control study, cytobrush was used for collecting of cervical sample from each infertile and fertile woman (n=95) who attended Research and Clinical Centers for Infertility in Kerman, Iran. PCR and real-time PCR methods were used to detect the presence of bacterial (genital Ureaplasma species, genital Mycoplasma species, Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis), and Gardnerella vaginalis) and viral (herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus (HPV), and Epstein-Barr virus) agents, respectively. Fisher's exact test and the logistic regression with the significance level of ≤5% were used for statistical analyses. Results In general, 78.94% and 14.73% of specimens were positive for one or more studied microorganisms, respectively. Among studied agents, only the infection with HPV was significantly different between infertile and fertile groups (p=0.005) which may enhance the likelihood of female infertility (OR=5.30, 95% CI:1.47-19.11, p< 0.05). After adjusting for age, irregular menstrual cycle, abnormal vaginal discharge, and ectopic pregnancy, the odds ratio of infertility in HPV-infected women increased (OR=7.02, 95% CI:1.52-32.3, p<0.05). Conclusion Since HPV infection is asymptomatic, periodic screening of women in reproductive age especially infertile couples is recommended for early diagnosis and prevention of infection progression and cross contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fereshteh Saffari
- Department of Medical Microbiology (Bacteriology & Virology), Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Reza Mollaei
- Department of Medical Microbiology (Bacteriology & Virology), Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Toraj Reza Mirshekari
- Afzalipour Clinical Center for Infertility, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Robabeh Hosseini Sadat
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Victoria Habibzadeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Lida Saeed
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Moslem Taheri Soodejani
- Center for Healthcare Data Modeling, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Roya Ahmadrajabi
- Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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Bellow N, Dougherty L, Nai D, Kassegne S, Nagbe RHY, Babogou L, Guede KM, Silva M. Improving provider and client communication around family planning in Togo: Results from a cross-sectional survey. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001923. [PMID: 37289680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Previous research has shown that clients are better able to achieve their reproductive intentions when family planning (FP) services meet their needs and they have satisfying client provider interactions. There are several areas of quality provider-client communication, including providers taking a complete reproductive history of their clients to best gauge their needs, communication around alternative FP methods and side effects captured in the method information index, and communication around sexually transmitted infections and HIV risk as it relates to FP choices. This study examines data from a clinic-based intervention in Togo that focuses on strengthening health provider counseling related to FP, including improving in these three areas of provider-client communication. A clustered sampling approach was used to select 650 FP clients from 23 intervention facilities and 235 clients from 17 control facilities in the Lomé and Kara districts of Togo. The FP clients' interactions with providers were observed and clients exit interviews were conducted in December 2021. For each communication area measured through client interviews and observations, principal components analysis and Cronbach's alpha scores were used to ensure that the individual components could be indexed. Outcomes variables based on an index of sub-questions were then created for those who had fulfilled each of the components within an index. Multivariate multilevel mixed-effects logit models accounted for clients nested within facilities and included independent variables capturing client demographic and facility variables. Multivariate results show that all three outcome variables representing the three provider-client communication areas were statistically significantly better for FP clients in intervention clinics versus control clinics (p<0.05). The results speak to the emphasis that the Togo Ministry of Health has placed on building the provider capacity to provide quality counseling and administration of FP methods and working to assist in achieving health programming goals through well-designed interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Bellow
- Avenir Health, Takoma Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | - Dela Nai
- Population Council, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | | | | | - Martha Silva
- Department of International Health and Sustainable Development, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
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Alwabari AA, AlGhannam KA, Aljassim MJ, Bograin KI, Alturaifi MR. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Family Planning Among Saudi Primary Health Care Attendees in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2023; 15:e40551. [PMID: 37363119 PMCID: PMC10286682 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessing community awareness and practice of the significance and methods of family planning is critical for improving the effectiveness and quality of services, policies, and planning, which has a positive impact on the health and quality of life of women, children, families, and communities. OBJECTIVE This study aims to determine Saudi population's knowledge, attitude, and practice of family planning in Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The study included randomly selected participants (male and female Saudi primary health care attendees). All adult Saudi individuals of both genders attending primary health care centers were eligible for inclusion in this study. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 15 (Released 2006; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Descriptive statistics for the prevalence and quantitative variables was used. Results: The study included 672 participants; 78.6% of them were females and 21.4% were males. 23.8% of participants aged between 20 and 30 years old. 73.8% of participants heard of family planning before. The source of information about family planning was reported as 36.9% from the Internet, 27.4% from relatives, 21.4% from the doctor, and 14.3% from books. 21.4% think that long-term contraceptive use led to permanent infertility. 81.0% of the participants said that they tend to use family planning methods. 78.6% of the participants have used a family planning method before, where 25.8% of the participants used natural contraception methods, 21.2% used surgical contraception, 27.3% used condoms, and 12.1% used hormonal tablets, while 13.6% used nothing. However, 65.2% currently use contraceptives. 31.8% use the natural method of family planning currently, 21.2% use surgical methods, and 6.1% use condoms. CONCLUSION In comparison to many studies previously mentioned, the rate of family planning utilization was average, as was the level of knowledge and attitude toward family planning. However, there were some mistaken beliefs among participants regarding contraceptives. Age, gender, the duration of a marriage, education level, working status, and monthly income were all found to be significantly associated with knowledge of family planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Alwabari
- Family Medicine, Al-Ahsa Family Medicine Academy, Ministry of Health Holdings, Al-Ahsa, SAU
| | - Khaled A AlGhannam
- Family Medicine, Al-Ahsa Family Medicine Academy, Ministry of Health Holdings, Al-Ahsa, SAU
| | - Moosa J Aljassim
- Family Medicine, Al-Ahsa Family Medicine Academy, Ministry of Health Holdings, Al-Ahsa, SAU
| | - Khalil I Bograin
- Family Medicine, Al-Ahsa Family Medicine Academy, Ministry of Health Holdings, Al-Ahsa, SAU
| | - Mustafa R Alturaifi
- Family Medicine, Al-Ahsa Family Medicine Academy, Ministry of Health Holdings, Al-Ahsa, SAU
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Allan-Blitz LT, Shah P, Adams G, Branda JA, Klausner JD, Goldstein R, Sabeti PC, Lemieux JE. Development of Cas13a-based Assays for Neisseria gonorrhoeae Detection and Gyrase A Determination. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.21.23290304. [PMID: 37293004 PMCID: PMC10246164 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.21.23290304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Neisseria gonorrhoeae is one of the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections. The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant N. gonorrhoeae is an urgent public health threat. Currently, diagnosis of N. gonorrhoeae infection requires expensive laboratory infrastructure, while antimicrobial susceptibility determination requires bacterial culture, both of which are infeasible in low-resource areas where prevalence is highest. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics, such as Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing (SHERLOCK) using CRISPR-Cas13a and isothermal amplification, have the potential to provide low-cost detection of pathogen and antimicrobial resistance. Methods and Results We designed and optimized RNA guides and primer-sets for SHERLOCK assays capable of detecting N. gonorrhoeae via the por A gene and of predicting ciprofloxacin susceptibility via a single mutation in the gyrase A ( gyr A) gene. We evaluated their performance using both synthetic DNA and purified N. gonorrhoeae isolates. For por A, we created both a fluorescence-based assay and lateral flow assay using a biotinylated FAM reporter. Both methods demonstrated sensitive detection of 14 N. gonorrhoeae isolates and no cross-reactivity with 3 non-gonococcal Neisseria isolates. For gyr A, we created a fluorescence-based assay that correctly distinguished between 20 purified N. gonorrhoeae isolates with phenotypic ciprofloxacin resistance and 3 with phenotypic susceptibility. We confirmed the gyr A genotype predictions from the fluorescence-based assay with DNA sequencing, which showed 100% concordance for the isolates studied. Conclusion We report the development of Cas13a-based SHERLOCK assays that detect N. gonorrhoeae and differentiate ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates from ciprofloxacin-susceptible isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lao-Tzu Allan-Blitz
- Division of Global Health Equity: Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Palak Shah
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Gordon Adams
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - John A. Branda
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Jeffrey D. Klausner
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Robert Goldstein
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Pardis C. Sabeti
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, MA
| | - Jacob E. Lemieux
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Boston, MA
- Division of Infectious Diseases: Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
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Wihlfahrt K, Günther V, Mendling W, Westermann A, Willer D, Gitas G, Ruchay Z, Maass N, Allahqoli L, Alkatout I. Sexually Transmitted Diseases-An Update and Overview of Current Research. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13091656. [PMID: 37175047 PMCID: PMC10178083 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13091656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A rise in the rates of sexually transmitted diseases, both worldwide and in Germany, has been observed especially among persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years. Since many infections are devoid of symptoms or cause few symptoms, the diseases are detected late, may spread unchecked, and be transmitted unwittingly. In the event of persistent infection, the effects depend on the pathogen in question. Manifestations vary widely, ranging from pelvic inflammatory disease, most often caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (in Germany nearly 30% of PID) or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (in Germany <2% of PID), to the development of genital warts or cervical dysplasia in cases of infection with the HP virus. Causal treatment does exist in most cases and should always be administered to the sexual partner(s) as well. An infection during pregnancy calls for an individual treatment approach, depending on the pathogen and the week of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Wihlfahrt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Veronika Günther
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Werner Mendling
- German Center for Infections in Gynecology and Obstetrics, at Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, Heusnerstrasse 40, 42283 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Anna Westermann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Damaris Willer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Georgios Gitas
- Department of Gynecology-Robotic Surgery at European Interbalkan Medical Center, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Zino Ruchay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Nicolai Maass
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Leila Allahqoli
- School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran 14167-53955, Iran
| | - Ibrahim Alkatout
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany
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Fledderjohann J, Patterson S, Owino M. Food Insecurity: A Barrier to Reproductive Justice Globally. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SEXUAL HEALTH : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL HEALTH 2023; 35:296-311. [PMID: 38595861 PMCID: PMC10903663 DOI: 10.1080/19317611.2023.2201841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Objective: Reproductive Justice identifies three core reproductive rights for all people: (1) the right to not have a child; (2) the right to have a child; and (3) the right to parent children in safe and healthy environments. We aim to illustrate that food insecurity infringes upon on all three of these rights and so is a pressing issue for reproductive justice and for sexual and reproductive health more broadly. Methods: Using a phenomenological approach, we outline potential pathways between food insecurity and reproductive justice. Results: There are numerous potential pathways between food insecurity and reproductive justice, including entry into sexual relationships for material support, links to sexually transmitted infections and infertility, structural violence, prioritization and spending tradeoffs between food and other basic necessities, biological impacts of malnutrition, restricted reproductive choices, population control measures, and social stigma and exclusion. Marginalized people are disproportionately impacted by food insecurity and its consequences, with implications for sexual health and pleasure and for reproductive justice. Conclusions:Meaningful and equitable collaboration between people with lived experience of food insecurity, human rights and reproductive justice activists, and academics is critical to sensitively contextualize this work and mobilize broader social change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sophie Patterson
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Bailrigg Campus, Lancaster, UK
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Maureen Owino
- Faculty of Environmental Studies and Urban Health, York University, Toronto, Canada
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Odelola OI, Akadri AA. Chlamydia trachomatis seropositivity among women with tubal factor infertility and fertile controls: a comparative study. Pan Afr Med J 2023; 44:178. [PMID: 37455888 PMCID: PMC10349630 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2023.44.178.29443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chlamydia trachomatis is the most reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection and if not properly treated may lead to tubal blockage. Tubal factor infertility is the most common form of infertility in Nigeria. This study was designed to determine the usefulness of chlamydia antibody testing in diagnosis of tubal factor infertility. Methods this was a comparative cross-sectional study conducted in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu. One hundred and forty-seven women with tubal blockage on hysterosalpingography and confirmed with laparoscopy, and pregnant control were recruited using convenience sampling method. Information obtained and chlamydia assay results were entered into a computer and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Chi-square was used to determine association between categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors associated with chlamydia infection. Results ninety-four (63.9%) of the women with tubal factor infertility were positive for chlamydia IgG antibodies while 37(25.2%) women in the control group had positive results for IgG antibody. This was statistically significant (P=0.001). Analysis using multivariate logistic regression shows early age of coitarche, presence of multiple sexual partners and previous sexually transmitted infection were significantly associated with chlamydia infection (P=0.001). Conclusion there was a strong association between chlamydia seropositivity and tubal blockage. Early age at coitarche, previous sexually transmitted infection and multiple sexual partners are significant risk factors for chlamydial infection. Chlamydia trachomatis antibody testing could be used as marker for tubal blockage when evaluating infertile patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwaseyi Isaiah Odelola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Adebayo Adekunle Akadri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
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Abstract
Reproduction involves a wide range of biological processes, including organ formation and development, neuroendocrine regulation, hormone production, and meiosis and mitosis. Infertility, the failure of reproduction, has become a major issue for human reproductive health and affects up to one in seven couples worldwide. Here, we review various aspects of human infertility, including etiology, mechanisms, and treatments, with a particular emphasis on genetics. We focus on gamete production and gamete quality, which is the core of successful reproduction. We also discuss future research opportunities and challenges to further expand our understanding of human infertility and improve patient care by providing precision diagnosis and personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Sang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Pierre F Ray
- Université Grenoble Alpes, INSERM U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team Genetics Epigenetics and Therapies of Infertility, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, 380000 Grenoble, France
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
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Saldaña F, Steindorf V, Srivastav AK, Stollenwerk N, Aguiar M. Optimal vaccine allocation for the control of sexually transmitted infections. J Math Biol 2023; 86:75. [PMID: 37058156 PMCID: PMC10103681 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-023-01910-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) poses a challenge due to its large negative impact on sexual and reproductive health worldwide. Besides simple prevention measures and available treatment efforts, prophylactic vaccination is a powerful tool for controlling some viral STIs and their associated diseases. Here, we investigate how prophylactic vaccines are best distributed to prevent and control STIs. We consider sex-specific differences in susceptibility to infection, as well as disease severity outcomes. Different vaccination strategies are compared assuming distinct budget constraints that mimic a scarce vaccine stockpile. Vaccination strategies are obtained as solutions to an optimal control problem subject to a two-sex Kermack-McKendrick-type model, where the control variables are the daily vaccination rates for females and males. One important aspect of our approach relies on conceptualizing a limited but specific vaccine stockpile via an isoperimetric constraint. We solve the optimal control problem via Pontryagin's Maximum Principle and obtain a numerical approximation for the solution using a modified version of the forward-backward sweep method that handles the isoperimetric budget constraint in our formulation. The results suggest that for a limited vaccine supply ([Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] vaccination coverage), one-sex vaccination, prioritizing females, appears to be more beneficial than the inclusion of both sexes into the vaccination program. Whereas, if the vaccine supply is relatively large (enough to reach at least [Formula: see text] coverage), vaccinating both sexes, with a slightly higher rate for females, is optimal and provides an effective and faster approach to reducing the prevalence of the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Saldaña
- BCAM- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Basque Country, Spain.
| | | | | | - Nico Stollenwerk
- BCAM- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Basque Country, Spain
- Dipartimento di Matematica, Universita̧ degli Studi di Trento, Povo, Italy
| | - Maíra Aguiar
- BCAM- Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Basque Country, Spain
- Dipartimento di Matematica, Universita̧ degli Studi di Trento, Povo, Italy
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Basque Country, Spain
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Kirkoyun Uysal H, Koksal MO, Sarsar K, Ilktac M, Isik Z, Akgun Karapinar DB, Demirci M, Ongen B, Buyukoren A, Kadioglu A, Yurtsever E, Agacfidan A. Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycoplasma genitalium among Patients with Urogenital Symptoms in Istanbul. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11070930. [PMID: 37046856 PMCID: PMC10094226 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11070930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycoplasma genitalium are the three most commonly reported sexually transmitted bacteria. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, and M. genitalium in urogenital samples collected from 18-68-year-old Turkish patients who were admitted to the hospital with various urogenital symptoms. A total of 360 patients with symptoms of STD were included in the study. Following DNA extraction by QIAamp Mini Kit, the presence of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, and M. genitalium were investigated using multiplex real-time PCR. Causative organisms were identified in 68 (18.9%) of 360 patients. C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, and M. genitalium were detected in 40 (11.1%), 14 (3.9%), and 28 (7.8%) of the patients, respectively. Patients 21-30 years of age represented more than one-third (37.8%) of positive patients. Of all patients, dual infections of C. trachomatis-M. genitalium, N. gonorrhoeae-C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae-M. genitalium, and triple infection of C. trachomatis-N. gonorrhoeae-M. genitalium were determined in 1.6% (6/360), 1.3% (5/360), 0.2% (1/360), and 0.2% (1/360) of the patients, respectively. In CT-, NG-, and MG-positive patients, different STI agents were also found such as HIV, HBV, HPV, HSV2, T. pallidum, and T. vaginalis. In conclusion, among C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, and M. genitalium, CT was the most frequently detected bacterial cause of STDs in our hospital at Istanbul. Co-infections, which comprise more than one-fifth of the cases, should not be underestimated. Regular screening and following up of STD agents using multiplex real-time PCR-based diagnostic methods enabling the immediate detection of co-infections are essential for the treatment and primary prevention of STDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayriye Kirkoyun Uysal
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Muammer Osman Koksal
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Kutay Sarsar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ilktac
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta 99450, Cyprus
| | - Zeynep Isik
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Deniz Bahar Akgun Karapinar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Demirci
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kirklareli University, Kırklareli 39100, Turkey
| | - Betigul Ongen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Buyukoren
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Ates Kadioglu
- Department of Urology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Eray Yurtsever
- Department of Biostatistics, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
| | - Ali Agacfidan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul 34093, Turkey
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Masoumirad M, Harvey SM, Bui LN, Yoon J. Use of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Among Women Living in Rural and Urban Oregon: Impact of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2023; 32:300-310. [PMID: 36716274 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2022.0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: We compared the use of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for Medicaid-enrolled women of reproductive age (WRA) living in Oregon by urban/rural status and examined the effect of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion on the use of SRH services for these women. Methods: We linked Oregon Medicaid enrollment files and claims for the years 2008-2016 to identify 392,111 WRA. Outcome measures included receipt of five key SRH services. The main independent variables were urban/rural status (urban, large rural cities, and small rural towns) and an indicator for the post-Medicaid expansion time period (2014-2016). We performed (conditional) fixed-effects logistic regression and multiple-group interrupted time-series analyses. Results: Women living in small rural towns were less likely than women living in urban areas to receive well-woman visits (odds ratio [OR] = 0.87; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] [0.80-0.94]), sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening (OR = 0.81; 95% CI [0.72-0.90]), and pap tests (OR = 0.91; 95% CI [0.84-0.99]). Women living in large rural cities were less likely than women living in urban areas to receive STI screening (OR = 0.91; 95% CI [0.84-0.98]). Following the implementation of ACA Medicaid expansion, the average number of all five SRH services increased for all women. With the exception of contraceptive services, the average number of SRH services examined increased more for urban women than for women living in small rural towns. Conclusions: Although Medicaid expansion contributed to increased use of SRH services for all WRA, the policy was unsuccessful in reducing disparities in access to SRH services for WRA living in rural areas compared with urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandana Masoumirad
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - S Marie Harvey
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Linh N Bui
- School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering, California State University, Bakersfield, Bakersfield, California, USA
| | - Jangho Yoon
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.,School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Aslam Z, Asim M, Javaid I, Rasheed F, Akhter MN. Analyzing risky behaviors among different minority and majority race in teenagers in the USA using latent classes. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1089434. [PMID: 36865773 PMCID: PMC9971590 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1089434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study is to ascertain any inconsistencies in the trend of co-occurrence by sex of teenage health risk behavior patterns such as smoking, behaviors contributing to deliberate and unintentional injuries, risky sexual behavior, and sedentary lifestyle. Methods: The study's purpose was accomplished using Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) 2013 data. A Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was conducted for the entire sample of teenagers as well as separately for each sex. Results: In this subset of youths, marijuana use was acknowledged by more than half of them, and smoking cigarettes was far more likely. More than half of the individuals in this subset engaged in risky sexual practices, like not using a condom during their most recent encounter. Males were split into three categories based on their involvement in risky behavior, while females were split into four subgroups. Conclusion: Regardless of gender, various risk behaviors among teenagers are connected. However, gender variations in the higher risk of particular trends, such as mood disorders and depression among females, underline the significance of creating treatments that take adolescent demographics into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Aslam
- Nishtar Institute of Dentistry (NID), Multan, Pakistan,Nishtar Medical University, Multan, Pakistan,*Correspondence: Zeeshan Aslam
| | | | - Iqra Javaid
- CMH Lahore Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
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Flatt S, Velez MP. The cost of preterm birth and cesarean section as a result of infertility and its treatment: A review. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2023; 86:102304. [PMID: 36681599 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2022.102304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Infertility, irrespective of receipt of fertility treatment, is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including cesarean section (CS) and preterm birth (PTB). These complications are associated with significant physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial costs to individuals, healthcare systems, and society at large. Although multiple pregnancy is one of the most significant contributors to the elevated CS and PTB rates in women receiving fertility treatment, singleton pregnancy is also at an increased risk of these outcomes. Single embryo transfer policies through publicly funded in vitro fertilization programs have demonstrated beneficial health outcomes and cost savings. Low-dose aspirin prophylaxis may be considered for PTB reduction in patients with infertility. Finally, upstream prevention strategies such as lifestyle modification and social policies to address the underlying needs for fertility treatment may also beneficially impact both CS and PTB rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Flatt
- Queen's University, School of Medicine, Kingston, K7L 3L4, Canada
| | - Maria P Velez
- Queen's University, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kingston, K7L 2V7, Canada.
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