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Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease Apr 2024The study's aim is to assess if vulvar psoriasis and candidiasis may be distinguished by clinical presentation and histopathologic appearance.
OBJECTIVES
The study's aim is to assess if vulvar psoriasis and candidiasis may be distinguished by clinical presentation and histopathologic appearance.
METHODS
The pathology database identified biopsies with corneal or subcorneal neutrophils, acanthosis, and dermal lymphocytic infiltrate. Exclusions were age younger than 18 years and unavailable or uninterpretable slides. Clinical data included demographics, comorbid conditions, symptoms, examination, microbiology, treatment, and response. Histopathologic review documented site, thickness, and characteristics of stratum corneum and epidermis, distribution of neutrophils, and infiltrate. Cases were stratified by microbiologic presence or absence of Candida albicans.
RESULTS
Biopsies from 62 women with median age of 60 years were associated with C. albicans on vulvovaginal culture in 28 (45%), whereas 26 (42%) were negative, and 8 (13%) lacked microbiologic assessment. Swab-positive women were more likely to have diabetes, receive prereferral estrogen, and report vulvar pain. Specialist clinical impression was candidiasis in 33 (53%), psoriasis in 11 (18%), comorbid candidiasis and psoriasis in 7 (11%), dermatitis in 10 (16%), and unknown in 2 (3%). Visible fungal organisms occurred in 16 (26%) cases and were associated with diabetes and satellite lesions. Other than presence of organisms, there were no histopathologic differences stratified by microbiologic result.
CONCLUSIONS
The histopathologic triad of corneal/subcorneal neutrophils, acanthosis, and dermal lymphocytic infiltrate is common to vulvar psoriasis and candidiasis, and clinical features do not reliably distinguish between them. Microbiologic assessment and single-agent treatment are useful strategies to clarify the diagnosis.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Candidiasis; Candida albicans; Psoriasis; Vulvitis; Diabetes Mellitus; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal
PubMed: 38518215
DOI: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000801 -
Beneficial Microbes Nov 2023The development of probiotics has now included the areas along the gut-vaginal axis. We thus aimed to investigate the effects of lactobacilli probiotic to modulate and... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The development of probiotics has now included the areas along the gut-vaginal axis. We thus aimed to investigate the effects of lactobacilli probiotic to modulate and restore vaginal and gut microbiota of pregnant women with vaginal candidiasis (VC). A randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled study was performed in 78 pregnant women with VC. Patients were randomised to either the probiotic (SynForU-HerCare) or placebo which were administered at baseline and continued for 8-weeks (two capsules/day of 9.5 log cfu/capsule). Microbiota profiles were assessed at time points of weeks-0, 4 and 8 for high vaginal swab and faecal samples. Shannon diversity index showed that after 8-weeks amid VC, a shift in microbial community compositional changes occurred in the high vaginal region at both genus (P=0.025) and species (P=0.044) levels, where the administration of probiotic prevented such a shift. These changes were mainly attributed to a decreased in abundance of Lactobacillus (P=0.042) accompanied by increased abundance of Prevotella (P=0.002) and Atopobium (P=0.002) in the placebo group while the probiotic group remained unchanged over time. The administration of probiotics also prevented a reduced abundance of faecal phylum Firmicutes after 8-weeks as seen in the placebo group (P<0.0001), which also showed reduction at subsequent taxonomic levels of class, family, genera and species. VC has not only altered the microbiota of vagina regions but also gut microbiota profiles, causing lessening of gut microbiota that are crucial for gut nutrient availability, protection and immunity. The administration of lactobacilli probiotics has prevented such a shift, leading to better modulated gut and vaginal microenvironment amid VC. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: identifier number NCT03940612.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Lactobacillus; Pregnant Women; Probiotics; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Double-Blind Method
PubMed: 38350486
DOI: 10.1163/18762891-20220103 -
Clinical Laboratory Aug 2023The aim was to discover the infectivity characteristics of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and provide a reference for RVVC...
BACKGROUND
The aim was to discover the infectivity characteristics of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and provide a reference for RVVC clinical diagnosis and treatment.
METHODS
The clinical data of 500 patients with RVVC were retrospectively analyzed, including life history, clinical symptoms, combined gynecological diseases, age, and distribution of pathogenic fungi, and the in vitro drug sensitivity of isolated fungi to antifungal drugs was assessed.
RESULTS
Among the 500 patients with RVVC, 486 (97.20%) had a sexual history, and the main clinical symptoms were vulva pruritus (394, 78.80%) and abnormal discharge (232, 46.40%). Common gynecological diseases were cervicitis (156 patients, 31.20%), human papillomavirus infection (130 patients, 26.00%), and coinfection with oth-er pathogens (127 patients, 25.40%). The high-incidence population was mainly concentrated in the 31 to 40-year-old age group, followed by the 20 to 30- and 41 to 50-year-old age groups. The number of patients gradually increased with time. Fungal culture was dominated by Candida albicans (69.80%), followed by Candida glabrata (28.40%), and Candida cerevisiae (0.60%). In vitro susceptibility testing showed that the highest drug resistance rate to antifungal drugs was to terbinafine (96.40%), followed by voriconazole (32.00%), fluconazole (26.40%), and itraconazole (17.40%), whereas the drug resistance rates to 5-fluorocytosine, caspofungin, amphotericin B, and micafungin were relatively low (1.80%, 0.60%, 0.40%, and 0.00%, respectively); the drug resistance rate to azoles gradually increased with age.
CONCLUSIONS
The occurrence of RVVC is closely related to sexual history. The most common cases are in women of childbearing age aged 20 - 50. The main pathogen is C. albicans, and the resistance rate to common azole antifungal drugs is increasing over time.
Topics: Humans; Female; Antifungal Agents; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Retrospective Studies; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Candida albicans; Communicable Diseases
PubMed: 37560852
DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2023.230304 -
Sexual Medicine Reviews Jun 2024Sexual side effects of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have not been fully understood, but increasing evidence prompts broader risk/benefit evaluation and merits... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Sexual side effects of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have not been fully understood, but increasing evidence prompts broader risk/benefit evaluation and merits inclusion in counseling on contraceptive options.
OBJECTIVES
The study sought to explore the impact of combined estrogens-progestin oral contraceptives on components of female sexuality, including sexual desire, anatomic genitourinary changes, lubrication, orgasm, provoked vestibulodynia, well-being, body image, partner preference, and relationship stability.
METHODS
A literature review was performed between April 2023 and January 2024 exploring the association between combined oral contraceptive pills and sexual health.
RESULTS
Although COCs decrease free testosterone, it is unclear if COCs affect sexual function, including desire. Antiandrogenic COCs do seem to have a negative effect on sexual arousal, lubrication, and orgasm. Provoked vestibulodynia may be related to early onset of COC use, low-estrogen pills, and antiandrogenic progestins. Emotional and sexual side effects are strong predictors of COC discontinuation. Longitudinal data indicate that using COCs when meeting and selecting a partner has implications on sexual satisfaction and relationship length. Analysis of data is complicated by various doses and forms of estrogen and progestin in COCs, which have changed over time.
CONCLUSION
Lack of randomized placebo-controlled studies and heterogenicity in study design hampers generalized statements about the effects of COCs on sexual function. Despite these challenges, consideration of sexual dysfunction when presenting and prescribing hormonal contraception is essential for informed consent, shared decision making, and ensuring reliable contraceptive choices.
Topics: Humans; Female; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Estrogens; Progestins; Sexuality; Orgasm; Libido; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 38515302
DOI: 10.1093/sxmrev/qeae011 -
Theriogenology Oct 2023A retrospective study was carried out to investigate incidence, clinical signs and ultrasonographic findings of ovarian tumours in a population of dogs referred to the...
A retrospective study was carried out to investigate incidence, clinical signs and ultrasonographic findings of ovarian tumours in a population of dogs referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Perugia (Italy) and Anicura Tyrus Veterinary Clinic (Terni, Italy). The period of study ranged from January 2005 to December 2021. A total of 1910 dogs were affected by neoplasia but only 35 of them (1.8%), of different breeds and ages, were found to have ovarian tumours. Ultrasound of the ovaries was performed based on clinical signs; the diagnosis was achieved after ultrasound findings prompted ovariohysterectomy and ovarian pathologic evaluation In our study, the age of bitches affected by ovarian neoplasia ranged from 3 to 20 years (mean 9.6 ± 3.8). The histopathological findings of ovarian masses identified 16 granulosa cell tumours (GCT) (46%), 7 adenomas (20%), 5 adenocarcinomas (14%), 2 teratomas (6%), 1 leiomyoma (3%), 1 luteoma (3%), 1 tecoma (3%), 1 dysgerminoma (3%), and 1 haemangiosarcoma (3%). In particular, with respect to clinical signs, 69% of bitches showed abnormalities of estrus cycle (short interestral interval, persistent estrus, prolonged interestral interval). The other main clinical signs included abdominal distention, palpable abdominal mass, vulvovaginal discharge, polyuria/polydipsia, mammary masses. When present, the laboratory abnormalities were slight anemia and leucocytosis with neutrophilia. The tumours were ultrasonographically classified as mainly solid: 12/35 (34%) (1 adenoma, 4 adenocarcinomas, 1 dysgerminoma, 1 haemangiosarcoma, 1 leyomioma, 1 luteoma, 1 GCT, 1 tecoma, 1 teratoma); solid with cystic component 13/35 (37%) (9 GCT, 2 Adenomas, 1 adenocarcinoma, 1 teratoma); and mainly cystic 10/35 (29%) (6 GCTs, 4 adenomas). In our study, the ultrasound examination allowed us to suspect ovarian neoplasia in asymptomatic subjects referred for breeding management or for preventive health check. On the basis of our data, we proposed to perform a complete periodic examination of the reproductive system once a year from 6 years. Nevertheless, the presence of ovarian neoplasms found in young subjects, during breeding management, suggest including routine ultrasound examination of the reproductive tract.
Topics: Female; Animals; Dogs; Dysgerminoma; Retrospective Studies; Luteoma; Hemangiosarcoma; Hospitals, Animal; Hospitals, Teaching; Ovarian Neoplasms; Granulosa Cell Tumor; Adenocarcinoma; Teratoma; Adenoma
PubMed: 37540955
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.07.020 -
Journal of Women's Health (2002) Feb 2024
Topics: Female; Humans; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Recurrence
PubMed: 37792339
DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2023.0556 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of... Jun 2024Mindfulness is defined as present-moment, nonjudgmental awareness. By reducing self-criticism, and depression, and increasing self-compassion, attention, and... (Review)
Review
Mindfulness is defined as present-moment, nonjudgmental awareness. By reducing self-criticism, and depression, and increasing self-compassion, attention, and interoceptive awareness, mindfulness has been found across a variety of systematic reviews and meta-analyses to significantly improve sexual desire, sexual pain, and sex-related distress. It helps individuals connect with their bodies, fostering a deeper understanding of sensations and desires while reducing the focus on negative, judgmental, and catastrophic sex-related and pain-related thoughts. By teaching individuals to focus on bare sensations, mindfulness has also been found to significantly reduce vulvovaginal pain intensity with improvements retained a year later.
Topics: Humans; Female; Mindfulness; Vulvodynia; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological; Libido; Pain Management; Dyspareunia
PubMed: 38777483
DOI: 10.1016/j.ogc.2024.02.002 -
Gynecological Endocrinology : the... Dec 2023The objective is to assess the perception of gynecologists regarding patients' adherence to vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) treatments, to evaluate the gynecologists'...
OBJECTIVES
The objective is to assess the perception of gynecologists regarding patients' adherence to vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) treatments, to evaluate the gynecologists' opinions on what their patients think about treatment adherence, and to compare the gynecologists' opinions with the patients' own perceptions within the CRETA study.
METHODS
Spanish gynecologists who participated in the CRETA study were asked to fill out an online 41-item questionnaire to evaluate their views on VVA management.
RESULTS
From 29 centers across Spain, 44 gynecologists completed the survey. Their mean age was 47.2 years old, two-thirds of them were women, and the average professional experience was over 20 years. According to the gynecologists, the therapy most frequently used by VVA-diagnosed women was vaginal moisturizers (45.5%), followed by local estrogen therapy (36.4%) and ospemifene (18.2%). Nevertheless, ospemifene was viewed as the therapeutic option with the most efficacy, easiest route of administration, shorter time to symptom improvement, lower percentage of dropouts, and higher treatment adherence.
CONCLUSIONS
Spanish gynecologists are in general agreement with their patients regarding VVA treatment preferences and the main issues for adherence and effectiveness. However, there is an opportunity for doctor-patient communication improvement. Among the three therapeutic options evaluated, ospemifene is regarded as offering some competitive advantages.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Atrophy; Delivery of Health Care; Perception; Postmenopause; Tamoxifen; Vagina; Vaginal Diseases; Vulva; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Gynecologists
PubMed: 37811796
DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2023.2264405 -
Vaccine Oct 2023The UK national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme was introduced in 2008 using the bivalent HPV16/18 vaccine, changing to the quadrivalent HPV6/11/16/18...
INTRODUCTION
The UK national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme was introduced in 2008 using the bivalent HPV16/18 vaccine, changing to the quadrivalent HPV6/11/16/18 vaccine from 2012. We provide an analysis of type-specific HPV prevalence in young sexually active females in England to end 2020 (when the first routinely HPV vaccinated females were reaching 25 years of age and entering the National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme), showing the impact of over ten years of high coverage HPV vaccination.
METHODS
Residual vulvovaginal swabs (VVS) were collected from 16 to 24 year old women attending for chlamydia screening between 2010 and 2020, anonymised and tested for type-specific HPV DNA. Trends in vaccine and non-vaccine HPV type prevalence were compared over time and association with vaccination coverage was evaluated within the post-vaccination period.
RESULTS
A total of 21,168 eligible VVS specimens were tested for HPV DNA. The prevalence of HPV16/18 in sexually active 16-18 year old females who were offered vaccination aged 12-13 years was <1% in the most recent years tested, compared to over 15% prior to the vaccination programme in 2008. The magnitude of these decreases also suggests reduced transmission is offering some herd protection to unvaccinated females. HPV31/33/45 prevalence also steadily decreased, providing evidence of cross-protection. HPV6/11 prevalence remained stable during the bivalent vaccine period, with more recent declines, as expected due to the use of the quadrivalent vaccine. There has been no substantive increase in the prevalence of other high-risk (HR) HPV types.
DISCUSSION
More than ten years of high coverage HPV vaccination in adolescent females in England has delivered dramatic declines in the prevalence of HPV vaccine-types and closely related HPV types in females in the vaccine eligible age group, and no indication of type replacement. These findings should enable confidence in planning for cervical screening of these females, and in predicting declines in HPV-related cancers.
Topics: Adolescent; Female; Humans; Adult; Young Adult; Human papillomavirus 16; Papillomavirus Infections; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Early Detection of Cancer; State Medicine; Human papillomavirus 18; Papillomavirus Vaccines; Vaccination; Papillomaviridae; Vaccines, Combined; England; Prevalence; DNA
PubMed: 37821315
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.10.002 -
Microbiology Spectrum Aug 2023Vaginitis is usually diagnosed empirically, microscopically, via cultures, or by molecular testing for the detection of bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal...
Vaginitis is usually diagnosed empirically, microscopically, via cultures, or by molecular testing for the detection of bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), or (TV). The DNA probe-based technique detects BV by identifying , VVC by identifying spp., while real-time PCR-based detection methods identify BV by algorithmic analysis of the absence or presence of known vaginal flora. We examined 8,878 total orders placed for DNA probe-based identification (ID) and 10,464 total orders placed for molecular panel ID. We found that PCR-based BV test positivity reduced from 30% to 23% compared with the population tested with DNA probe-based testing. We also found that PCR-based testing VVC positivity increased from 6.3% and 11.6% when compared with DNA probe-based testing. Bayesian generalized linear analysis estimated a lower mean proportion of positive tests for BV in PCR-based molecular panels than DNA probe testing suggesting an under-call of BV. The same models estimated a higher mean proportion of positive tests for molecular vaginal panels than DNA probe testing suggesting an increased detection of candidal vaginitis. In addition, the mean (SD) age for patients with was 40.5 (40.0-41.1) years. Patients with (now ) were 5.2-8.1 (mean 6.7) years older than patients with . Our retrospective data analysis found that BD Max MVP's ability to discriminate between vaginal candidiasis versus other yeast will help to implement CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)-recommended treatment options. We also believe that providers' inattention to non-albicans treatment could be an issue nationwide. IMPORTANCE Using retrospective data from U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved/cleared molecular vaginal panels, molecular methods were found to have higher detection for vaginitis and lower detection for bacterial vaginitis when compared to probe-based methods. In addition, the differentiation of and non- yeast has not reached the physician community as we observed noncompliance in recommended therapy. Furthermore, the pros and cons of migrating to molecular testing from conventional microscopy for identifying bacterial vaginitis and fungal vaginitis have been examined and reported in this paper. Interestingly, the mean (SD) age for patients with was 40.5 (40.0-41.1) years. Patients with were 5.2-8.1 (mean 6.7) years older than patients with .
PubMed: 37615484
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01628-23