Biology of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Sexually transmitted diseases and related genital pathologies in oligozoospermia

Sexually transmitted pathogens are associated with a wide range of anomalies and diseases, including recurrent genital herpes, urethritis, syphilis, prostitis, genital ulcers, perihepatitis, unexplained infertility, infant prematurity, low birth weight, and neonatal death or malformations. Prompt diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is essential to ensure appropriate specific treatment and to reduce complications. Extensive studies on the etiology of male infertility include poorly treated infections such as STDs, epididymitis, complications associated with mumps, delayed treatment of undescended testes, repair of inguinal hernia, varicocele, endocrine disorders, anomalies of the reproductive tract and male accessory organs, trauma, surgery, heat-cold injury, and active-passive immunization.

Syphilis. An old disease, a contemporary perinatal problem

The incidence of syphilis in the United States has almost doubled in the past 5 years, with some cities posting an increase of more than 500% during this period. As a result, greater numbers of neonates infected with congenital syphilis are treated in nurseries across the country. The incidence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of syphilis are described, and the nursing implications associated with caring for those at risk of contracting the disease are presented.

Bacterial resistance in South America

The emergence of resistant strains of bacteria is directly related to the selection of chemotherapeutic agents, and the character of the resistance changes with changes in use-frequency of the various antibiotics. In recent years with increasing use of beta-lactam antibiotics, there has been an increased incidence of microorganisms that are resistant by virtue of their ability to produce beta-lactamase enzymes which destroy the beta-lactam antibiotics. The development of beta-lactamase inhibitors which may be used in combination with the beta-lactam antibiotics has been a significant advance for the therapy of gynecologic infections in South America.