hCAP18/LL-37 is the sole human cathelicidin; a family of host defence peptides with key roles in innate host defence. hCAP18/LL-37 is expressed primarily by neutrophils and epithelial cells, but its production and function in the lower genital tract is largely uncharacterised. Despite the significant roles for cathelicidin in multiple organs and inflammatory processes, its impact on infections ...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to introduce a new technique which is combined laparoscopic and vaginal cervicovaginal reconstruction using split thickness skin graft in patients with congenital atresia of cervix and to evaluate the feasibility and the safety of it. METHODS This is a prospective observational study of 10 patients with congenital atresia of cervix who underwent combined la...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the concentration of selected proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8) in cervicovaginal fluid, as measured in midgestation, and the risk of early-onset neonatal infection (EONI). METHOD Cervicovaginal fluids were obtained from a cohort of 114 pregnant women at 22 to 34 weeks' gestation. The samp...

Congenital agenesis of the uterine cervix and vagina in the presence of a functional endometrium is an extremely rare mullerian anomaly [1]. Congenital vaginal agenesis occurs with a prevalence of 1/4000-1/5000 live-born females, while the accurate incidence of cervicovaginal agenesis is controversial [1-3]. Cervicovaginal agenesis is usually not diagnosed until menarche. It is manifested by th...

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase the likelihood of HIV transmission. Defensins are part of the innate mucosal immune response to STIs and therefore we investigated their role in HIV infection. We found that human defensins 5 and 6 (HD5 and HD6) promoted HIV infection, and this effect was primarily during viral entry. Enhancement was seen with primary viral isolates in primary CD4...

OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of long-term combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) on HIV-RNA and HIV-DNA levels in cervicovaginal secretions of HIV-1-infected women with sustained undetectable plasma RNA viral load (PVL); to explore factors predictive of residual viral shedding; and to evaluate the risk of heterosexual transmission. METHODS Women with undetectable PVL (<50 copies/mL) for >6...

BACKGROUND Infertility is one of the common problems seen in couples of reproductive age. Presence of antisperm antibodies in semen and serum are amongst the causes of immunoinfertility. This study was performed to determine antisperm antibodies in cervicovaginal secretions and serum of infertile women and also measure serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA). METHODS The study cons...