Colonization and disruption of the epithelium is a major infection mechanism of mucosal pathogens. The epithelium counteracts infection by exfoliating damaged cells while maintaining the mucosal barrier function. The sexually transmitted bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) infects the female reproductive tract primarily from the endocervix, causing gonorrhea. However, the mechanism by which GC...

chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infection, with an estimated annual worldwide incidence of 50 million cases. a large proportion of those infected, particularly women, are asymptomatic, and these individuals serve as a major reservoir of infection. women are also at risk for serious reproductive tract complications with significant morbidity. in an effo...

A total of 803 endocervical samples were obtained from females with clinical or epidemiological histories suggesting chlamydia infection. These specimens were tested by IDEIA III and cell culture for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis. After resolution of discrepant results by direct fluorescent-antibody staining of pelleted cell culture transport materials, IDEIA III demonstrated sensitivit...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in women with Bartholin's gland abscess. SETTING Gynaecology Clinic of King Edward VIII Hospital, a large urban, referral hospital for the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, serving an underprivileged population. METHODS Thirty consecutive women...

4v HPV1⁄4quadrivalent human papillomavirus. *Using Australian Institute of Health and Welfare indicator 4.2, which includes high-grade squamous abnormality, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2, CIN grade 3 or CIN not otherwise specified; high-grade endocervical abnormality, endocervical dysplasia; and high-grade endocervical abnormality, adenocarcinoma in situ (http:/ www.aihw.gov....

Using a fluorescein labelled monoclonal antibody ("Micro Trak") to identify chlamydia elementary bodies in endocervical smears, we detected Chlamydia trachomatis in 31 (21%) of 150 cases of classic pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID) and in 42 (18%) of 232 cases of abdominal pain not diagnosed as PID. Only 43 (59%) of the women yielding chlamydiae would have received treatment in the absence of ...

Levels of HIV-1 RNA in endocervical specimens fluctuate with the menstrual cycle, suggesting that cell-free HIV-1 levels may vary during the cycle, which could influence infectivity. Here, we examined daily changes in endocervical HIV-1-infected cells during 1 cycle. There were significant positive associations between the number of days from the luteinizing hormone surge and the number of HIV-...

Background: Bleeding during or immediately after the intercourse can be seen in women with benign cervical changes such as polyps, ectropion or infection of the cervix. But, sometimes, important diseases such as cancer of the cervix can be associated with post coital bleeding (PCB). The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of microscopic pre-cancerous lesions of the cer...