Search results for "Sexually transmitted diseases"
showing 10 items of 44 documents
Prospective seroepidemiologic study of human papillomavirus infection as a risk factor for invasive cervical cancer
1997
Background: Major risk factors for invasive cervical cancer include infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), infection with other sexually transmitted pathogens (e.g., Chlamydia trachomatis), and smoking. Since exposures to these risk factors can be related, the contribution of any single factor to cervical carcinogenesis has been difficult to assess. We conducted a prospective study to define the role of HPV infection in cervical carcinogenesis, with invasive cancer as an end point. Methods: A nested case‐control study within a joint cohort of 700 000 Nordic subjects was performed. The 182 women who developed invasive cervical cancer during a mean follow-up of 5 years were matched with 5…
Temporal Trend in the Frequency of Ectopic Pregnancies in Lombardy, Italy
2012
<b><i>Background:</i></b> In recent years, epidemiological data showed that the incidence of ectopic pregnancies (EP) is decreasing, but few data are available on the time trend in Southern European populations. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Using data from the Lombardy Region Database, we calculated and standardized the EP rates/10,000 resident women and the ratios/1,000 pregnancies. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Data regarding 1,777,011 pregnancies and 17,028 cases of EP were recorded among women resident in Lombardy between 1996 and 2010, aged 15-50 years old. The age-adjusted EP rates increased from 4.4 in 1996 to 5.8 in 2010. Th…
Effect of female genital schistosomiasis and anti-schistosomal treatment on monocytes, CD4+ T-cells and CCR5 expression in the female genital tract
2014
Published version of an article from the journal: PLoS One. Also available from the publisher: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0098593 BACKGROUND: Schistosoma haematobium is a waterborne parasite that may cause female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), characterized by genital mucosal lesions. There is clinical and epidemiological evidence for a relationship between FGS and HIV. We investigated the impact of FGS on HIV target cell density and expression of the HIV co-receptor CCR5 in blood and cervical cytobrush samples. Furthermore we evaluated the effect of anti-schistosomal treatment on these cell populations. DESIGN: The study followed a case-control design with post treatment follow…
Sexual and reproductive health risk behaviours among Palermo university students: results from an online survey.
2018
Aim. Evaluation of the knowledge and behavioral risks related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the students at the University of Palermo. Materials and Methods. Cross-sectional study. An anonymous online questionnaire has been submitted to the students of Palermo University. Survey investigates to socio-demographic information, sexual habits and the level of knowledge of the STIs. Results. The sample consists of 539 students; average age 22.65 (± 2.95). The risk to have unprotected occasional sexual intercourse is related to the following circumstances: the homosexual or bisexual status, the male gender, the age of the occurrence of the first sexual intercourse, that is at 17…
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Diagnosis and Control
2022
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)—or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)—are generally acquired through sexual contact [...]
“This Racial Menace”?: Public Health, Venereal Disease and Maori in New Zealand, 1930–1947
2007
In 1939, Whakatane, on the remote east coast of the North Island of New Zealand, came to the attention of the New Zealand Department of Health as an area where syphilis was “suspected [to be] widespread”.1 This isolated part of the country was largely inhabited by Maori communities, and the revelation that venereal disease (VD) was so prevalent caught the Department by surprise, especially as a nationwide public health campaign against venereal disease had been in progress since 1917.2 In response, a comprehensive venereal disease campaign targeting Maori alone was developed––the earliest example of such a focus by the Department. This reaction highlighted what Dr Thomas Ritchie, Director o…
Polyethylenimine is a strong inhibitor of human papillomavirus and cytomegalovirus infection.
2012
ABSTRACT Polyethylenimines are cationic polymers with potential as delivery vectors in gene therapy and with proven antimicrobial activity. However, the antiviral activity of polyethylenimines has not been addressed in detail thus far. We have studied the inhibitory effects of a linear 25-kDa polyethylenimine on infections with human papillomaviruses and human cytomegaloviruses. Preincubation of cells with polyethylenimine blocked primary attachment of both viruses to cells, resulting in a significant reduction of infection. In addition, the dissemination of human cytomegalovirus in culture cells was efficiently reduced by recurrent administration of polyethylenimine. Polyethylenimine conce…
Legal aspects of sexually transmitted diseases: abuse, partner notification and prosecution
2012
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), with special emphasis to HIV infection, involve legal and ethical issues regarding informed consent to submit to a diagnostic, observance of professional secrecy in regard to partner(s) and community; legal troubles of particular difficulties are related to STD involving minors; lastly, physicians must be able to recognize the state of so called medical necessity. Knowledge and awareness of these related obligations are crucial to STD in medical practice; it is also important to allow for proper protection of victims of suspected sexual abuse under observation of healthcare. With regard to this aspect should be emphasized that violence against women and…
Candida albicans Yeast and Hyphae are Discriminated by MAPK Signaling in Vaginal Epithelial Cells
2011
We previously reported that a bi-phasic innate immune MAPK response, constituting activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase MKP1 and c-Fos transcription factor, discriminates between the yeast and hyphal forms of Candida albicans in oral epithelial cells (ECs). Since the vast majority of mucosal Candida infections are vaginal, we sought to determine whether a similar bi-phasic MAPK-based immune response was activated by C. albicans in vaginal ECs. Here, we demonstrate that vaginal ECs orchestrate an innate response to C. albicans via NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. However, unlike in oral ECs, the first MAPK response, defined by c-Jun transcription factor acti…
Syndemic effects of HIV risk behaviours: results from the NHANES study
2019
Abstract The aim of the present study is to use the syndemic framework to investigate the risk of contracting HIV in the US population. Cross-sectional analyses are from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We extracted and aggregated data on HIV antibody test, socio-demographic characteristics, alcohol use, drug use, depression, sexual behaviours and sexually transmitted diseases from cycle 2009–2010 to 2015–2016. We carried out weighted regression among young adults (20–39 years) and adults (40–59 years) separately. In total, 5230 men and 5794 women aged 20–59 years were included in the present analyses. In total, 0.8% men and 0.2% women were tested HIV-positive. Each inc…