Neisseria gonorrhea infections in girls younger than 12 years of age evaluated for vaginitis

Emulsion-Based Multicompartment Vaginal Drug Carriers: From Nanoemulsions to Nanoemulgels

In order to overcome the limitations associated with vaginal administration of drugs, e.g., the short contact time of the drug form with the mucosa or continuous carrier wash-out, the development of new carriers for gynecological use is necessary. Furthermore, high individual anatomical and physiological variability resulting in unsatisfactory therapeutic efficacy of lipophilic active substances requires application of multicompartment drug delivery systems. This manuscript provides an up-to-date comprehensive review of the literature on emulsion-based vaginal dosage forms (EVDF) including macroemulsions, microemulsions, nanoemulsions, multiple emulsions and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems. The first part of the paper discusses (i) the influence of anatomical-physiological conditions on therapeutic efficacy of drug forms after local and systemic administration, (ii) characterization of EVDF components and the manufacturing techniques of these dosage forms and (iii) methods used to evaluate the physicochemical and pharmaceutical properties of emulsion-based vaginal dosage forms. The second part of the paper presents (iv) the results of biological and in vivo studies as well as (v) clinical evaluation of EVDF safety and therapeutic efficacy across different indications.

Septic gonococcal arthritis in a pediatric patient: Rare case report

INTRODUCTION

Septic arthritis is an orthopedic emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment due to the rapid destruction to cartilage. The responsible organism and etiology differs depending on patient age, especially in children. Gonococcal Arthritis in toddlers is a rare occurrence with few documented cases in the literature. An orthopedic surgeon is likely not to come across this either in training or through their careers. Consequently, its presentation and subsequent treatment algorithms leave several gray areas.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

In this case report, we present a rare and not so straightforward presentation of a toddler with septic gonococcal arthritis along with a summary of treatment considerations described in the current literature and the course of treatment for this patient. Our patient is a toddler who originally presented to the emergency department with shoulder and knee pain for several days after an unwitnessed fall. He was subsequently discharged and presented again the next day with a knee effusion and elevated inflammatory markers. An MRI showed a large joint effusion without any underlying abscess or osteomyelitis to explain his elevated inflammatory markers. A knee aspiration was subsequently preformed which eventually grew out Neisseria Gonorrhea on hospital day 3 after the patient had been on antibiotics. He was taken back for an arthroscopic irrigation and debridement for definitive treatment.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Disseminated gonococcal infection in toddlers is a rare occurrence without much information in the literature and should not be dismissed as a differential. We recommend a high index of suspicion with thorough work up. We also recommend surgical management of a septic joint due to DGI diagnosed via arthrocentesis (gross purulence, symptoms not improving on medical therapy, positive aspiration cultures, elevated synovial cell counts, and medically unstable patients) given the sequelae of medical management alone. The importance of interdisciplinary team collaboration that include pediatrician, infectious disease specialist, social worker, and government child safety associations is pivotal.

Identification of a strong and specific antichlamydial N-acylhydrazone

Sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis is an extremely common infection and often leads to serious complications including infertility and pelvic inflammatory syndrome. Several broad-spectrum antibiotics are currently used to treat C. trachomatis. Although effective, they also kill beneficial vaginal lactobacilli. Two N-acylhydrazones, CF0001 and CF0002, have been shown previously to inhibit chlamydial growth without toxicity to human cells and Lactobacillus spp. Of particular significance, the rate of random mutation leading to resistance of these inhibitors appears to be extremely low. Here, we report three analogs of CF0001 and CF0002 with significantly stronger inhibitory effects on chlamydiae. Even though the new compounds (termed SF1, SF2 and SF3) displayed slightly decreased inhibition efficiencies for a rare Chlamydia variant selected for CF0001 resistance (Chlamydia muridarum MCR), they completely overcame the resistance when used at concentrations of 75–100 μM. Importantly, SF1, SF2 and SF3 did not shown any toxic effect on lactobacilli, whereas SF3 was also well tolerated by human host cells. An effort to isolate SF3-resistant variants was unsuccessful. By comparison, variants resistant to rifampin or spectinomycin were obtained from smaller numbers of chlamydiae. Our findings suggest that SF3 utilizes an antichlamydial mechanism similar to that of CF0001 and CF0002, and will be more difficult for chlamydiae to develop resistance to, potentially making it a more effective antichlamydial agent.

Clinical and microbiologic characteristics of vulvovaginitis in Korean prepubertal girls, 2009-2014: a single center experience

OBJECTIVE

To update information on the clinical and microbiologic characteristics of pediatric vulvovaginitis in Korean prepubertal girls.

METHODS

A total of 120 girls (aged 0 to 9 years) with culture-confirmed pediatric vulvovaginitis, diagnosed between 2009 and 2014, were enrolled in the study. The epidemiologic and microbiologic characteristics, and clinical outcomes were assessed. Patients with sexual precocity, as well as those who were referred for suspected sexual abuse, were excluded.

RESULTS

Girls aged 4 to 6 years were at the highest risk of pediatric vulvovaginitis. Seasonal distribution indicated obvious peaks in summer and winter. Of the 120 subjects, specific pathogens were identified in the genital specimens in only 20 cases (16.7%). Streptococcus pyogenes (n=12, 60%) was the leading cause of specific vulvovaginitis. Haemophilus influenzae was isolated in one patient. No cases presented with enteric pathogens, such as Shigella or Yersinia. A history of recent upper respiratory tract infection, swimming, and bubble bath use was reported in 37.5%, 15.8%, and 10.0% of patients, respectively. Recent upper respiratory tract infection was not significantly correlated with the detection of respiratory pathogens in genital specimens (P>0.05). Of 104 patients who underwent perineal hygienic care, 80 (76.9%) showed improvement of symptoms without antibiotic treatment. Furthermore, the efficacy of hygienic care was not significantly different between patients with or without specific pathogens (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Specific pathogens were only found in 16.7% of pediatric vulvovaginitis cases. Our results indicate an excellent outcome with hygienic care, irrespective of the presence of specific pathogens.

[Gonococcal vulvovaginitis in prepubertal girls: sexual abuse or accidental transmission?]

Vulvovaginitis is the most frequent gynecologic pathology among prepubertal females. An infectious cause is found in 30% of cases and is highly associated with the presence of vaginal discharge upon examination. Neisseria gonorrhoeae may be one of the causative agents. Since N. gonorrhoeae is a common sexually transmitted disease, sexual abuse should be considered in the pediatric setting. We report the case of a 5-year-old girl with N. gonorrhoeae vulvovaginitis. Her previous history, multiple interviews with the patient and her parents, and clinical examination showed no evidence or signs of sexual abuse. Both parents presented gonorrhea, urethritis for the father and vaginitis for the mother. The discrepancy between pediatric evaluation and the presence of a bacterium associated with sexually transmitted disease led us to consider other means of contamination. Previous studies have shown that other routes of transmission are possible but are often neglected. Hence, contamination can be transmitted by the hands or mostly through passive means (towels, rectal thermometer, etc.). Many epidemics have been noted in group settings with young girls with no evidence of sexual transmission. Therefore, we concluded that this patient's infection was likely an accidental transmission within her family. The acknowledgement of these transmission routes is very important in order to avoid misguided suspicion of sexual abuse and the possible traumatic family and psychosocial consequences.

Gonococcal infections in neonates and young children

Gonorrhea has been recognized since antiquity, and more than 60 million new cases occur yearly worldwide. Much has been learned about the molecular pathogenesis of infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, but immunity from natural infection does not protect against reinfection with the same strain, and the goal of a protective vaccine remains elusive. Gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum is the most common manifestation in infants born to mothers with gonococcal genital tract infections. Genital and pharyngeal gonococcal infections in young children almost always are acquired from sexual abuse by an infected adult. Invasive disease can occur at any age but is uncommon. Nonculture diagnostic tests are widely used in adults, but culture is required in children for medicolegal purposes. N. gonorrhoeae strains have developed resistance to many antibiotic classes, and resistance profiles vary among geographic regions and within regions over time. Current guidelines for treatment of gonococcal infections in children in the United States are reviewed.

Testing for genital gonorrhea infections in prepubertal girls with suspected sexual abuse

BACKGROUND

The medical diagnosis of child sexual abuse is based on a combination of factors, including disclosures by the child, specific physical examination findings and sexually transmitted infections. Genital infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) are regarded as definitive evidence of sexual contact in children, but current microbiologic culture methods have low sensitivity for detecting vulvovaginal GC infections in prepubertal girls.

METHODS

To compare the three strategies of culture alone, nonculture alone (Gen-Probe PACE 2) and sequential testing for genital GC (nonculture followed by culture of nonculture positives), we conducted a decision analysis to identify optimal testing strategies using published test sensitivities, specificities and pretest probabilities of genital GC. We surveyed community child welfare professionals to determine values for each potential health outcome.

RESULTS

Sequential testing yielded a higher overall health outcome value (0.855) than culture (0.834) or nonculture methods (0.838). These results were insensitive to changes in GC prevalence, test characteristics and individual health outcome values over clinically important ranges. With a baseline prevalence of 10%, more children (4 per 100) with GC infection were missed by culture than were inaccurately labeled as having GC infection (0.5 per 100) by nonculture methods. Sequential testing yielded fewer false negative results (0.8 per 100) than culture and had no false positives.

CONCLUSIONS

With the use of clinical decision analysis, sequential testing using nonculture methods followed by culture was preferred to culture or nonculture methods alone in the evaluation of GC in prepubertal girls with genital discharge. Current recommendations for GC testing should be reassessed with clinical decision analysis as new test methods or strategies become available.

Vaginal discharge due to undiagnosed bilateral duplicated collecting system with ectopic ureters in a three-year-old female: an initial high index of suspicion for sexual abuse

In prepubertal girls with vaginal discharge, consideration of the etiology must be given to respiratory pathogens (Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis), enteric pathogens (Escherichia coli, Shigella, and Yersinia), poor hygiene, foreign body, nonabsorbent undergarments, irritants, vulvar skin disease, anatomic abnormalities (double vagina with fistula, pelvic abscess, and ectopic ureter), and sexual abuse. Prepubertal girls, outside the newborn period, with suspected gonococcal infection should be strongly considered to be victims of sexual abuse, once congenital and other newborn acquired forms of gonorrhea are excluded. We present a case of a three-year-old female with vaginal discharge and fever with a clouded social history, disproportionate distress on physical exam, and initial laboratory gram stain suggestive of gonococcus.