An overview of sexually transmitted diseases. Part II

Cutaneous manifestations of HAV, HBV, HCV

Hepatotropic viral infections are a relevant global health problem and present multiple extrahepatic manifestations in addition to hepatic disease. Along with generic cutaneous symptoms correlated to the cholestatic liver disease that may arise during the infection, some cutaneous manifestations of hepatotropic viral infections are characteristic, enabling to suspect the underlying infection. This review will present the principal cutaneous manifestations of hepatotropic virus infection. Cutaneous manifestations are rare in HAV infections: these include urticaria, panniculitis, scarlatiniform eruption, evanescent skin rash, maculopapular prolonged rash, serum sickness-like illness rash, cutaneous vasculitis, cryoglobulinemia. The commonest cutaneous manifestation associated to HBV infection is serum sickness-like syndrome. Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is among the most common and serious cutaneous manifestations of HBV infection. In children, HBV infection may acutely manifest as papular acrodermatitis of childhood (Gianotti-Crosti Syndrome), with non-pruritic, non-coalescing, round papules. Patients with chronic HBV infection may also develop mixed cryoglobulinemia, that is, inter alia, the most documented extrahepatic manifestation of HCV infection. Cutaneous lichen planus has been associated to HBV and HCV infection. As for oral lichen planus, the association with HBV and HCV is more debated. Interestingly, patients with oral lichen planus with HCV have a higher risk of developing oral squamous cell carcinoma. Dermatologists should be aware of the possible cutaneous manifestations associated to viral hepatitis.

European guideline for the management of pediculosis pubis

Pediculosis pubis is caused by Phthirus pubis. The disease can be sexually transmitted. Patients main complain is of itch in the pubic area. The parasite can be spotted with the naked eye and blue macules can be observed in the pubic area. First line therapy consists of permethrin or pyrethrins with piperonyl butoxide. Second line therapy contains phenothrin, malathion and oral ivermectin. Partner management needs a look-back period of time of 3 months. Pubic lice incidence is increased in populations groups living in crowded spaces with scarce sanitary conditions as in time of war or disaster.

Protein and oligonucleotide delivery systems for vaginal microbicides against viral STIs

Intravaginal delivery offers an effective option for localized, targeted, and potent microbicide delivery. However, an understanding of the physiological factors that impact intravaginal delivery must be considered to develop the next generation of microbicides. In this review, a comprehensive discussion of the opportunities and challenges of intravaginal delivery are highlighted, in the context of the intravaginal environment and currently utilized dosage forms. After a subsequent discussion of the stages of microbicide development, the intravaginal delivery of proteins and oligonucleotides is addressed, with specific application to HSV and HIV. Future directions may include the integration of more targeted delivery modalities to virus and host cells, in addition to the use of biological agents to affect specific genes and proteins involved in infection. More versatile and multipurpose solutions are envisioned that integrate new biologicals and materials into potentially synergistic combinations to achieve these goals.

[Urological dermatosis]

Urologists are often confronted with venereal and dermatological diseases during clinical evaluation of the external genitals. Dermatosis of the male genitalia ranges from infectious (viral and bacterial) lesions and inflammatory conditions to neoplastic alterations. There are also more general skin diseases (e.g. psoriasis) which occur as genital manifestations. In this case they often show unusual characteristics or the genitalia might be involved only incidentally. This review highlights the clinical diagnosis and therapy of the most common genital skin disorders and demonstrates the medical features.

Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of anal cancer

Rare in the general population, anal cancer has reached epidemic proportions among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM). These cancers are human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated, usually HPV type16, and are analogous to cervical cancer. At present, the rates of anal cancer in this group are 10-fold higher than that of cervical cancer occurring in women in the general population. Although there are no national guidelines for screening for anal intraepithelial dysplasia (AIN), many large HIV clinics are now performing anal cytologic screening in their at-risk patients. This paper outlines the current approach to screening for AIN and its management.

Human papillomavirus-related genital disease in the immunocompromised host: Part II

Human papillomavirus is responsible for common condyloma acuminata and a number of premalignant and malignant anogenital lesions. The immunocompromised population is at particular risk because of a higher incidence of malignant transformation. Lesions in this population may prove refractory to standard treatment. This is part II of a two-part review that will discuss the treatment of condyloma acuminata and vaginal, vulvar, penile, and anal intraepithelial neoplasias. This article will provide an updated review of available treatments, with a focus on recent advances and the challenges faced in successfully treating human papillomavirus lesions in the immunocompromised host.

Unusual late nodular presentation of secondary syphilis

A 20-year-old man presented with a five-week history of an eruption of papules and nodules disseminated over his body and face. We propose that this patient has a late form of secondary syphilis with a nodular, granulomatous inflammation in urgent need of treatment. Otherwise late irreversible sequelae could develop and unwanted possible further sexual transmission could take place.

MVA E2 recombinant vaccine in the treatment of human papillomavirus infection in men presenting intraurethral flat condyloma: a phase I/II study

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the etiologic agent for warts and cervical cancer. In Mexico, the death rate from cervical cancer is extremely high, and statistical data show that since 1990 the number of deaths is increasing. Condylomas and cancer of the penis are the most common lesions presented in men; bladder and prostate cancer in men are also associated with the presence of HPV. Since HPV is transmitted by sexual intercourse, treating both partners is necessary in order to eliminate the virus in the population. Approaches to this include preventative vaccines such as Gardasil, and therapeutic vaccines to treat established infections in both men and women. This will be the only way to decrease the numbers of deaths due to this malignancy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a phase I/II clinical trial to evaluate the potential use of the recombinant vaccinia viral vaccine MVA E2 (composed of modified vaccinia virus Ankara [MVA] expressing the E2 gene of bovine papillomavirus) to treat flat condyloma lesions associated with oncogenic HPV in men. Fifty male patients with flat condyloma lesions were treated with either MVA E2 therapeutic vaccine or fluorouracil (5-fluorouracil). Thirty men received the therapeutic vaccine, at a total of 10(6) virus particles per dose, administered directly into the urethra once every week over a 4-week period. Twenty control patients were treated with 5% fluorouracil 1mL twice weekly over a 4-week period directly into the urethra. Reduction of lesions or absence of papillomavirus infection was monitored by colposcopy and histologic analysis. The immune response after MVA E2 treatment was determined by measuring the antibodies against the MVA E2 virus and by analyzing the lymphocyte cytotoxic activity against cancer cells bearing oncogenic papillomavirus. Presence of papillomavirus was determined by the Hybrid Capture method.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight of 30 patients showed no lesion or presence of papillomavirus as diagnosed by colposcopy and brush histologic examination after 4 weeks of MVA E2 treatment. These patients showed complete elimination of flat condyloma in the urethra and no acetowhite spots were detected over the prepuce. In two other patients the acetowhite spots and flat condyloma did not diminish. All patients developed antibodies against the MVA E2 vaccine and E2 protein, and generated a specific cytotoxic response against papilloma-transformed cells. Viral DNA was not detected in MVA E2-treated patients. In the control group, 13 of 20 patients were free of lesions. Three of these patients had recurrence of lesions after 3 months of treatment and none of the patients developed specific antibodies against cancer cells. In contrast, patients treated with MVA E2 did not show any recurrence of lesions after 1 year of treatment. In addition, none of the patients had local or systemic adverse effects according to the WHO classification 1-4.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapeutic vaccination with MVA E2 proved to be very effective in stimulating the immune system against papillomavirus, and in generating regression of flat condyloma lesions in men.

Human Papillomaviruses and Genital Disease

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is causally related to several benign and malignant diseases of the anogenital tract. In this article the authors detail the epidemiology, methods of transmission and risk factors, pathogenesis, and oncogenesis of HPV, and describe clinical manifestations and current treatments. Special attention is given to condyloma acuminatum and non-cervical anogenital intraepithelial neoplasia. The authors conclude with the latest information on prophylactic vaccine development and prospects for future control of HPV-related disease.

Infection with human papillomaviruses of sexual partners of women having cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Epidemiological studies show that human papillomaviruses (HPV) are strongly related to cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN). Unlike the case for women, there are no consistent data on the natural history of HPV in the male population even though these viruses are prevalent in males. We carried out a prospective study to assess the prevalence of HPV in males as well as the factors that determine such infections in 99 male sexual partners of women with CIN. The genitalia of the males were physically examined and subjected to peniscopy for the collection of scrapings which were subjected to the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism to detect HPV. Of the 99 males sampled, 54 (54.5%) were positive for HPV DNA, 24% of whom presented normal peniscopy, 28% presented evident clinical lesions and 48% isolated lesions consistent with subclinical infection. In the HPV-negative group, 53% showed normal peniscopy, 4% presented evident clinical lesions and 42% isolated lesions consistent with subclinical infection. The study detected a statistically significant association (P < 0.02, Pearson chi-square test) between HPV infection and both the mean number of sexual partners which a male had during his life and the mean number of sexual partners in the year prior to testing. Viral types 6 and 11 were most frequently encountered. The study shows that infection with HPV was frequent in male sexual partners of women with CIN.

Warty squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva in older women: association with human papillomavirus

Warty squamous cell carcinoma (WSCC), a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma occurring in younger women, is primarily associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Although WSCC appears to exhibit less aggressive behavior than typical well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, it bears the risk of regional metastasis. Accordingly, WSCC should be differentiated from other verruciform neoplasms. We describe a rare case of WSCC with a short disease duration occurring in a woman of old age. We found the presence of HPV DNA different from other well-known types of high risk and low risk HPV by DNA chip microarray. These results suggest that various types of HPV can be associated with the pathogenesis of WSCC.

Therapy of cutaneous human Papillomavirus infections

Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) are double-stranded DNA viruses, which result in a variety of clinical manifestations according to type. The most common cutaneous lesions include warts located on the skin and genitalia. Because there is currently no cure for HPV infection, treatment focuses on the alleviation of signs and symptoms. Unfortunately, therapy has not been proved to affect transmissibility. Traditional treatment modalities have focused on the destruction of infected tissue through a variety of techniques. These include podophyllin resin, podophyllotoxin, salicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid, bichloroacetic acid, cryotherapy, laser, and surgical techniques. None of these modalities have been proved to be superior. More recently, immunomodulatory compounds with antiviral properties have demonstrated superior efficacy with clearance rates up to 77% and low recurrence rates. Most importantly, clinical trials of vaccines to prevent acquisition of oncogenic HPV are demonstrating marked safety and efficacy.

Vaccine candidates in STD

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are caused by organisms that infect the mucosal surfaces of the genitourinary tract. In spite of its public health importance, current STD vaccine research lags behind work against pathogens that target another mucosal region, the respiratory tract. In the latter case, live-attenuated viral vaccines, killed whole-cell bacterial vaccines, subunit/protein bacterial vaccines, and bacterial polysaccharide vaccines have been enormously successful. To move STD vaccine research forward, complex issues must be resolved. Those include selection of an appropriate antigen (e.g. scientific feasibility and intellectual property rights), the manufacture of the vaccine (e.g. delivery systems, formulation processes, and production steps), and the appropriate public health approach (e.g. medical indications and marketing aspects). Particular scientific problems have delayed STD vaccine development, like incomplete attenuation (human herpes simplex virus type 2), accentuated immunopathology (Chlamydia trachomatis), poor immunogenicity (Treponema pallidum), and broad antigenic heterogeneity (Neisseria gonorrhoeae). Nevertheless, efforts continue with the use of protein antigens: for example, the haemolysin toxoid of Haemophilus ducreyi; the major outer membrane protein(s) of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis; the glycoprotein D of human herpes simplex virus type 2; and the proteins E6 and E7 of human papilloma virus. It may be predicted that eventual STD vaccines (administered either for prophylaxis or for therapy) will use approaches that include (1) live-attenuated viruses, (2) subunit proteins or inactivated whole organisms given with mucosal adjuvants or with cellular immune response adjuvants, and (3) DNA plasmids expressing the vaccine antigen.

Common skin disorders of the penis

Diseases of the male genitalia range from infectious lesions to inflammatory and neoplastic conditions, including many genital manifestations of more general skin diseases. This review highlights the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of the most common dermatoses of the male genitalia. Herpes genitalis and infections caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) are increasing, particularly in young sexually active people. Herpes simplex virus infection is the commonest infectious cause of genital ulceration, with evidence that many infections are asymptomatic. HPV infection may be latent, subclinical and clinical. The most common causal agents for condyloma acuminatum are low-risk HPV 6 and 11; high-risk HPV types 16 and 18 are associated with premalignant and malignant lesions. Treatment for genital warts remains unsatisfactory; recurrences are common. Imiquimod, a new topical immunotherapeutic agent, which induces interferon and other cytokines, has the potential to be a first-line therapy for genital warts. Scabies and pediculosis are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact and sexual transmission is common, with the penis and scrotum favourite locations for scabious lesions. Oral ivermectin, a highly active antiparasitic drug, is likely to be the treatment of choice, but until approval is granted it should be reserved for special forms of scabies. Common skin diseases, e.g. psoriasis and lichen planus, may have an atypical appearance in the genital area. The typical psoriatic scale is usually not apparent because of moisture and maceration. Allergic contact dermatitis of the genital area may result from condoms, lubricants, feminine hygiene deodorant spray and spermicides. More often, contact dermatitis is irritant, resulting from persistent moisture and maceration. Lichen sclerosus is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs as atrophic white patches on the glans penis and foreskin. The penile form is a common cause of phimosis in uncircumcised men; involvement of the urethral meatus may lead to progressive meatal stenosis. Plasma cell balanitis is a benign, idiopathic condition presenting as a solitary, smooth, shiny, red-orange plaque of the glans and prepuce of a middle-aged to older man. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ, e.g. erythroplasia of Queyrat and Bowen's disease, cannot be excluded clinically; their apparent clinical benignity may lead to lengthy periods of misdiagnosis and biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis. SCC is the most common malignancy of the penis and the role of oncogenic HPV-types has been also established in SCC of the penis. Prevention of SCC of the penis presupposes an identification of risk factors, early detection of all pre-cancerous lesions and treatment of phimosis.

The cutaneous manifestations of viral hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is a common disease with significant morbidity and mortality that is found throughout the world. It is a known cause of acute and chronic liver disease. Because the disease can be asymptomatic in its acute stages, the diagnosis is often missed. This article reviews the extrahepatic manifestations of the disease, in particular the visible cutaneous lesions, which offer clues to the diagnosis of viral hepatitis. Familiarity with the most common skin lesions associated with each type of hepatitis virus will be useful in identifying previously undiagnosed individuals. This article serves as a review of the most widely published associations between skin diseases and specific subtypes of viral hepatitis.

An overview of sexually transmitted diseases. Part III. Sexually transmitted diseases in HIV-infected patients

The HIV epidemic has dramatically altered the field of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). HIV infection is unique among sexually transmitted diseases because it can modify the clinical presentation and features of other STDs. Conversely, other STDs can affect the transmission of HIV. This review is the third part of a series that has provided a general overview of STDs. In this article, genital ulcer diseases (genital herpes, syphilis, chancroid, lymphogranuloma venereum, and granuloma inguinale), human papillomavirus infection (anogenital warts and subclinical infections), molluscum contagiosum, human herpesvirus 8 infection, viral hepatitis, and ectoparasitic infestations (scabies and pediculosis pubis) are discussed as they occur in HIV-infected hosts. Additional features as they relate to HIV-infected patients, such as epidemiology and transmission, are discussed when applicable.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

At the conclusion of this learning activity, participants should improve their understanding of sexually transmitted diseases in the HIV-infected host.