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Zarmakoupi P, Psarris A, Karasmani C, Antsaklis P, Theodora M, Syndos M, Pampanos A, Pappa KI, Domali E, Thomakos N, Akinosoglou K, Tsiakalos A, Daskalakis G. Cracking the Code: Investigating the Correlation between Aerobic Vaginitis and Preterm Labor. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:648. [PMID: 38674294 PMCID: PMC11052301 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60040648] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Aerobic vaginitis (AV) is a distinct clinical entity characterized by inflammation and abnormal vaginal microflora. Often mistaken for bacterial vaginosis, AV remains relatively unknown and underdiagnosed. AV's understanding is evolving, with some experts suggesting it may primarily be an immunological disorder, the prevalence of which has a range of 7-13% in non-pregnant women and 4.1-8.3% during pregnancy. Pregnancy can affect susceptibility to vaginal infections, leading to adverse outcomes for the woman and the newborn. This review summarizes the correlation between AV and adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly preterm birth, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates. An improved understanding of AV's impact on pregnancy outcomes can lead to early recognition, proper management, and effective interventions. While some studies support an association between AV and preterm labor, the existing knowledge of this relationship remains limited. The evidence suggests that AV may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes, mainly preterm birth, but further research is needed to establish a definitive link. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms and clarify AV's role in premature labor. A comprehensive understanding of AV's impact on pregnancy outcomes is crucial for early recognition, appropriate management, and effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Zarmakoupi
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.Z.); (A.P.); (P.A.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (K.I.P.); (E.D.); (N.T.); (G.D.)
| | - Alexandros Psarris
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.Z.); (A.P.); (P.A.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (K.I.P.); (E.D.); (N.T.); (G.D.)
| | - Christina Karasmani
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.Z.); (A.P.); (P.A.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (K.I.P.); (E.D.); (N.T.); (G.D.)
| | - Panagiotis Antsaklis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.Z.); (A.P.); (P.A.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (K.I.P.); (E.D.); (N.T.); (G.D.)
| | - Marianna Theodora
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.Z.); (A.P.); (P.A.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (K.I.P.); (E.D.); (N.T.); (G.D.)
| | - Michael Syndos
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.Z.); (A.P.); (P.A.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (K.I.P.); (E.D.); (N.T.); (G.D.)
| | - Andreas Pampanos
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.Z.); (A.P.); (P.A.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (K.I.P.); (E.D.); (N.T.); (G.D.)
| | - Kalliopi I. Pappa
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.Z.); (A.P.); (P.A.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (K.I.P.); (E.D.); (N.T.); (G.D.)
| | - Ekaterini Domali
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.Z.); (A.P.); (P.A.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (K.I.P.); (E.D.); (N.T.); (G.D.)
| | - Nikolaos Thomakos
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.Z.); (A.P.); (P.A.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (K.I.P.); (E.D.); (N.T.); (G.D.)
| | - Karolina Akinosoglou
- Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Medical School University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece;
| | | | - George Daskalakis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alexandra Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (P.Z.); (A.P.); (P.A.); (M.T.); (M.S.); (A.P.); (K.I.P.); (E.D.); (N.T.); (G.D.)
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Feng D, Zhang F, Cai J, Zhang Y, Yan H, Yang Y, Zhong H, Ye H. Functional testing is a complementary tool for the diagnosis of vaginitis. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:224. [PMID: 38582823 PMCID: PMC10998416 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03035-w] [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] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vaginal microbiota evaluation is a methodology widely used in China to diagnose various vaginal inflammatory diseases. Although vaginal microbiota evaluation has many advantages, it is time-consuming and requires highly skilled and experienced operators. Here, we investigated a six-index functional test that analyzed pH, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), leukocyte esterase (LEU), sialidase (SNA), β-glucuronidase (GUS), and acetylglucossidase (NAG), and determined its diagnostic value by comparing it with morphological tests of vaginal microbiota. MATERIALS AND METHODS The research was conducted using data extracted from the Laboratory Information System of Women and Children's Hospital. A total of 4902 subjects, ranging in age from 35.4 ± 9.7 years, were analyzed. During the consultation, a minimum of two vaginal swab specimens per patient were collected for both functional and morphological testing. Fisher's exact was used to analyze data using SPSS. RESULTS Of the 4,902 patients, 2,454 were considered to have normal Lactobacillus morphotypes and 3,334 were considered to have normal dominant microbiota. The sensitivity and specificity of H2O2-indicating Lactobacillus morphotypes were 91.3% and 25.28%, respectively, while those of pH-indicating Lactobacillus morphotypes were 88.09% and 59.52%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of H2O2-indicating dominant microbiota were 91.3% and 25.3%, respectively, while those of pH-indicating dominant microbiota were 86.27% and 64.45%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of NAG for vulvovaginal candidiasis were 40.64% and 84.8%, respectively. For aerobic vaginitis, GUS sensitivity was low at 0.52%, while its specificity was high at 99.93%; the LEU sensitivity and specificity values were 94.73% and 27.49%, respectively. Finally, SNA sensitivity and specificity for bacterial vaginosis were 80.72% and 96.78%, respectively. CONCLUSION Functional tests (pH, SNA, H2O2, LEU) showed satisfactory sensitivity for the detection of vaginal inflammatory diseases. However, these tests lacked specificity, making it difficult to accurately identify specific pathologies. By contrast, NAG and GUS showed excellent specificity in identifying vaginal inflammatory diseases, but their sensitivity was limited. Therefore, functional tests alone are not sufficient to diagnose various vaginal inflammatory diseases. When functional and morphological tests are inconsistent, morphological tests are currently considered the preferred reference method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danqin Feng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Fuhui Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jianguo Cai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yansheng Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Honghong Yan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yichi Yang
- Department of Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Hongxiu Zhong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Huiming Ye
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
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Pan Z, Wu Y, Li Y, Hu X, Zhao Y, Liu Y. Retrospective study of pathogens involved in vaginitis among Chinese women. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:364. [PMID: 37422650 PMCID: PMC10329346 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02510-0] [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] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To explore the pathogen distribution in Chinese females with vaginitis. METHODS This retrospective study included Chinese females with vaginitis admitted at the outpatient department of the Gynecology Clinic of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University between January 2013 and June 2013. Data on the vaginal pathogens and inflammation were analyzed. RESULTS The vaginal secretions from 15,601 gynecologic outpatients were abnormal, including 8547 (54.78%) with vaginal infection and 7054 (45.22%) without. In patients with vaginal infections, a single infection was observed in 69.72% (5959/8547) of them, and mixed infection was observed in 30.28% (2588/8547). The differences in age and inflammation grade between the infection and no-infection groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). In addition, multiple types of vaginitis could be diagnosed in patients with mixed infections. CONCLUSIONS About half of the Chinese women with abnormal vaginal secretions are positive for pathogens in the study period. Patients' age and inflammation grade are associated with co-infection. From the public health perspective, this study suggests that the importance of vaginal hygiene should be enforced in Chinese women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengmei Pan
- Department of Reproduction, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 374 Dianmian Avenue, Wuhua District, Kunming, 650000, Yunnan, China
| | - Yanzhi Wu
- Department of Reproduction, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 374 Dianmian Avenue, Wuhua District, Kunming, 650000, Yunnan, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Reproduction, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 374 Dianmian Avenue, Wuhua District, Kunming, 650000, Yunnan, China
| | - Xi Hu
- Department of Reproduction, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 374 Dianmian Avenue, Wuhua District, Kunming, 650000, Yunnan, China
| | - Yiyue Zhao
- Department of Reproduction, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 374 Dianmian Avenue, Wuhua District, Kunming, 650000, Yunnan, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Reproduction, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, No. 374 Dianmian Avenue, Wuhua District, Kunming, 650000, Yunnan, China.
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Salmanov AG, Netskar IP, Kostikov VV, Artyomenko V, Korniyenko SM, Rud VO, Kovalyshyn OA. PREVALENCE OF AEROBIC VAGINITIS AFTER GYNECOLOGICAL SURGERIES AND ASSOCIATED ADVERSE PREGNANCY OUTCOME IN UKRAINE. POLSKI MERKURIUSZ LEKARSKI : ORGAN POLSKIEGO TOWARZYSTWA LEKARSKIEGO 2023; 51:456-463. [PMID: 38069845 DOI: 10.36740/merkur202305103] [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: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Aim: To determine prevalence of Aerobic Vaginitis (AV) after gynecologic surgery, risk factors and antimicrobial resistance of responsible pathogens, and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Ukraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS Materials and Methods: Multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2022 in fifteen medical clinics from eight regions of Ukraine. Smears were analyzed using Donders' classification method and Dong's modified AV diagnosis for Gram stains. Definitions of HAIs were adapted from the CDC/NHSN. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of bacteria was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test according to the protocol of the EUCAST. RESULTS Results: Prevalence of AV among women's undergoing gynecologic surgery in Ukraine was 68.7%. Of the total AV cases, 70.3% were in non-pregnant and 29,7% in pregnant women. The most common pathogen of AV was Escherichia coli, followed by Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among the S. aureus strains, 11,6% of MRSA (Methicillin resistant S.aureus) were isolated whereas none of the CoNS were cefoxitin resistant. History of vaginal infection, history of post-operative infection and antibiotic use acted as an important risk factor of AV incidence rate. The presence of AV worsened pregnancy outcomes, by increasing the incidence of preterm birth, the premature rupture of membranes, miscarriage, neonatal jaundice, and neonatal infection. CONCLUSION Conclusions: Aerobic Vaginitis after gynecological surgeries in Ukraine is a common medical problem in women that is associated with significant morbidity, adverse pregnancy outcome, and hence frequent medical visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidyn G Salmanov
- SHUPYK NATIONAL HEALTHCARE UNIVERSITY OF UKRAINE, KYIV, UKRAINE; INSTITUTE OF PEDIATRICS, OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES OF UKRAINE, KYIV, UKRAINE
| | - Iryna P Netskar
- SHUPYK NATIONAL HEALTHCARE UNIVERSITY OF UKRAINE, KYIV, UKRAINE
| | | | | | | | - Victor O Rud
- NATIONAL PIROGOV MEMORIAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, VINNYTSIA, UKRAINE
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Microbial Diversity and Pathogenic Properties of Microbiota Associated with Aerobic Vaginitis in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12102444. [PMID: 36292132 PMCID: PMC9600244 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12102444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a major reproductive problem that affects approximately 5% of couples. The objective of this study was to assess vaginal flora dysbiosis in women suffering from unexplained RPL and to investigate the pathogenic properties of the microbiota associated with aerobic vaginitis (AV). The study included one hundred fifteen women, 65 with RPL and 50 controls. The diversity of vaginal microbiota isolated was evaluated by molecular sequencing. Then, pathogenic factors, such as acid-resistance, antibiotics susceptibility, and biofilm formation were evaluated. The prevalence of AV was five-fold higher in the RPL group than in the controls (64.6% vs. 12.0%). The most prevalent isolates in the case group were Enterococcus spp. (52%) and Staphylococcus spp. (26%). All bacterial strains tolerate low pH. The prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) among all bacteria was 47.7%. Of all strains, 91.0% were biofilm producers. The presence of MDR was found to be related to biofilm formation. The results provide evidence supporting an increased presence of dysbiosis of the vaginal flora, especially AV, in women with RPL in Tunisia. The viability of the AV-associated bacteria and their persistence in the genitals may be due to their ability to resist low pH and to produce a biofilm.
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Zeng Z, Wang N, Sui L, Zhang R, Zhang Q, Wang Y, Wang Y, Zhao M, Cao Y, Wu W, Liao Q, Zhang L. Characteristics and Potential Diagnostic Ability of Vaginal Microflora in Patients with Aerobic Vaginitis Using 16S Ribosomal RNA Sequencing. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 105:115806. [DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2022.115806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Songca SP. Applications of Nanozymology in the Detection and Identification of Viral, Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:4638. [PMID: 35563029 PMCID: PMC9100627 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanozymes are synthetic nanoparticulate materials that mimic the biological activities of enzymes by virtue of their surface chemistry. Enzymes catalyze biological reactions with a very high degree of specificity. Examples include the horseradish peroxidase, lactate, glucose, and cholesterol oxidases. For this reason, many industrial uses of enzymes outside their natural environments have been developed. Similar to enzymes, many industrial applications of nanozymes have been developed and used. Unlike the enzymes, however, nanozymes are cost-effectively prepared, purified, stored, and reproducibly and repeatedly used for long periods of time. The detection and identification of pathogens is among some of the reported applications of nanozymes. Three of the methodologic milestones in the evolution of pathogen detection and identification include the incubation and growth, immunoassays and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategies. Although advances in the history of pathogen detection and identification have given rise to novel methods and devices, these are still short of the response speed, accuracy and cost required for point-of-care use. Debuting recently, nanozymology offers significant improvements in the six methodological indicators that are proposed as being key in this review, including simplicity, sensitivity, speed of response, cost, reliability, and durability of the immunoassays and PCR strategies. This review will focus on the applications of nanozymes in the detection and identification of pathogens in samples obtained from foods, natural, and clinical sources. It will highlight the impact of nanozymes in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent and PCR strategies by discussing the mechanistic improvements and the role of the design and architecture of the nanozyme nanoconjugates. Because of their contribution to world health burden, the three most important pathogens that will be considered include viruses, bacteria and fungi. Although not quite seen as pathogens, the review will also consider the detection of cancer cells and helminth parasites. The review leaves very little doubt that nanozymology has introduced remarkable advances in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and PCR strategies for detecting these five classes of pathogens. However, a gap still exists in the application of nanozymes to detect and identify fungal pathogens directly, although indirect strategies in which nanozymes are used have been reported. From a mechanistic point of view, the nanozyme technology transfer to laboratory research methods in PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay studies, and the point-of-care devices such as electronic biosensors and lateral flow detection strips, that is currently taking place, is most likely to give rise to no small revolution in each of the six methodological indicators for pathogen detection and identification. While the evidence of widespread research reports, clinical trials and point-of-care device patents support this view, the gaps that still exist point to a need for more basic research studies to be conducted on the applications of nanozymology in pathogen detection and identification. The multidisciplinary nature of the research on the application of nanozymes in the detection and identification of pathogens requires chemists and physicists for the design, fabrication, and characterization of nanozymes; microbiologists for the design, testing and analysis of the methodologies, and clinicians or clinical researchers for the evaluation of the methodologies and devices in the clinic. Many reports have also implicated required skills in mathematical modelling, and electronic engineering. While the review will conclude with a synopsis of the impact of nanozymology on the detection and identification of viruses, bacteria, fungi, cancer cells, and helminths, it will also point out opportunities that exist in basic research as well as opportunities for innovation aimed at novel laboratory methodologies and devices. In this regard there is no doubt that there are numerous unexplored research areas in the application of nanozymes for the detection of pathogens. For example, most research on the applications of nanozymes for the detection and identification of fungi is so far limited only to the detection of mycotoxins and other chemical compounds associated with fungal infection. Therefore, there is scope for exploration of the application of nanozymes in the direct detection of fungi in foods, especially in the agricultural production thereof. Many fungal species found in seeds severely compromise their use by inactivating the germination thereof. Fungi also produce mycotoxins that can severely compromise the health of humans if consumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandile Phinda Songca
- School of Chemistry and Physics, College of Agriculture Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa
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