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Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey Apr 2017is commonly found in many areas of the body where it derives a benefit without harming the host. When it does infect the host during pregnancy, is that infection a... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
is commonly found in many areas of the body where it derives a benefit without harming the host. When it does infect the host during pregnancy, is that infection a threat to the obstetric patient and does that infection cause adverse pregnancy outcomes?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to review what is known about infections and the impact of an infection on pregnancy outcomes.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A PubMed search was undertaken with the search years unlimited to April 1, 2016, and restricted to articles in English. The search terms included "actinomyces," "pregnancy," "prenatal," "maternal," "actinomyces infection," "pregnancy," "chorioamnionitis," "preterm labor," "premature birth," or "postpartum actinomyces."
RESULTS
Eighteen of the 154 identified articles are the basis of this review. is a rod-like positive bacterium. The diagnosis of an infection can be by culture or Gram stain. is commensal and typically only infects after a mucosal break or lesion. Seventeen cases were identified in pregnancy. Ten cases were complicated by chorioamnionitis and a preterm delivery. A nidus leading to infection was identified in 12 of the cases including women with a cervical cerclage, dental abscesses, appendicitis, renal actinomycosis, and ovarian abscesses. Adverse pregnancy outcomes have been linked with periodontal disease, but treatment did not prevent preterm delivery in a randomized, blinded, controlled trial.
CONCLUSIONS
infections in pregnancy are rare but, if they occur, have been linked primarily with preterm deliveries.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, the learner should be better able to identify the areas of the body where infections occur and how the infections typically occur, identify the pathophysiologic changes that occur during pregnancy that might lead to an infection and how that infection may affect pregnancy outcomes, and describe the treatment for mild and severe infections.
Topics: Actinomyces; Actinomycosis; Chorioamnionitis; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth
PubMed: 28426126
DOI: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000000423 -
Annals of the New York Academy of... Dec 2004With the increasing demand for assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), it is important to consider how to manage infection. Three main positive factors that contribute... (Review)
Review
With the increasing demand for assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), it is important to consider how to manage infection. Three main positive factors that contribute to successful in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles are maternal age, the ovarian hyperstimulation protocol used, and the number and quality of transferred embryos. Negative factors include contamination and infection. This paper describes the issues relating to infection during IVF and proposes guidelines to control infection and to increase laboratory safety.
Topics: Female; Fertilization in Vitro; HIV Infections; Hepatitis; Humans; Infection Control; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial
PubMed: 15731314
DOI: 10.1196/annals.1321.024 -
Infectious Disease Clinics of North... Dec 2008Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is common infection among reproductive-aged women. The presentation ranges from acute severe illness to a more indolent and mild... (Review)
Review
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is common infection among reproductive-aged women. The presentation ranges from acute severe illness to a more indolent and mild clinical picture. Attention has turned to subclinical PID as an important entity. The majority of the public health impact from PID comes from its attributable long-term sequelae, including tubal-factor infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain. Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) represents a severe form of PID. Vigilance is required when caring for women who have PID to detect the presence of a TOA given the serious nature of the infection and the potential need for procedural intervention.
Topics: Abscess; Adnexal Diseases; Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Chlamydia Infections; Chlamydia trachomatis; Female; Gonorrhea; Humans; Neisseria gonorrhoeae; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Young Adult
PubMed: 18954759
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2008.05.008 -
Journal of Virology Jan 2022Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to mosquito-borne flaviviruses. Unlike other members in the family, ZIKV can be sexually transmitted, and the female genital tracts are...
Zika virus (ZIKV) belongs to mosquito-borne flaviviruses. Unlike other members in the family, ZIKV can be sexually transmitted, and the female genital tracts are susceptible to ZIKV. However, the impact of ZIKV infection on nonpregnant female reproductive health is not understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of ZIKV infection on the ovary by using nonpregnant female interferon α/β receptor-deficient () mice. The results showed that the ovary supported ZIKV replication, and the granulosa and theca cells of antral follicles were susceptible. ZIKV replication significantly reduced the numbers of antral follicles, aggravated follicular atresia, and disrupted folliculogenesis. Notably, ZIKV replication in the ovary caused disordered ovarian steroidogenesis manifested by decreased expression of key enzymes linked to sex hormone synthesis, including the cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) and aromatase (CYP19A1). Further, we observed that ZIKV infection disrupted the estrous cycle and thus prolonged the time to conceive. More importantly, although ZIKV RNA could not be detected at 3 months postinfection, damaged ovarian structure and dysfunction were also observed. Taken together, our study demonstrates that ZIKV infection in nonpregnant female mice cause ovarian damage and dysfunction, even long after ZIKV clearance. These data provide important information to understand the effects of ZIKV infection in female reproductive tissues and basic evidence for further studies. Zika virus (ZIKV), a flavivirus, is primarily transmitted by mosquito bites. But it can also be transmitted vertically and sexually. Although ZIKV-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly have drawn great attention, there have been few studies on the potential effects of ZIKV on the genital tract of nonpregnant females. This study investigated the effects of ZIKV on the ovaries in mice. We found that ZIKV replicated in the ovary and the granulosa and theca cells of antral follicles were susceptible. ZIKV replication significantly damaged ovarian structure and function and disrupted folliculogenesis. Notably, ZIKV infection further disrupted the estrous cycle and prolonged the time to conceive in mice by causing disordered ovarian steroidogenesis. These effects were observed in both the acute phase and the recovery phase after viral elimination. Overall, the new findings provide important additions to make out the potential adverse impacts of ZIKV on reproductive health in females.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Estrous Cycle; Female; Fertilization; Follicular Atresia; Mice; Ovary; Progesterone; Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta; Species Specificity; Virus Replication; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection
PubMed: 34730391
DOI: 10.1128/JVI.01189-21 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022A tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a common type of inflammatory lump in clinical practice. TOA is an important, life-threatening disease, and it has become more common in... (Review)
Review
A tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a common type of inflammatory lump in clinical practice. TOA is an important, life-threatening disease, and it has become more common in recent years, posing a major health risk to women. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents are necessary to cover the most likely pathogens because the pathogens that cause TOA are polymicrobial. However, the response rate of antibiotic treatment is about 70%, whereas one-third of patients have poor clinical consequences and they require drainage or surgery. Rising antimicrobial resistance serves as a significant reason for the unsatisfactory medical outcomes. It is important to study the antibiotic resistance mechanism of TOA pathogens in solving the problems of multi-drug resistant strains. This paper focuses on the most common pathogenic bacteria isolated from TOA specimens and discusses the emerging trends and epidemiology of resistant , , and gram-positive anaerobic cocci. Besides that, new methods that aim to solve the antibiotic resistance of related pathogens are discussed, such as CRISPR, nanoparticles, bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides, and pathogen-specific monoclonal antibodies. Through this review, we hope to reveal the current situation of antibiotic resistance of common TOA pathogens, relevant mechanisms, and possible antibacterial strategies, providing references for the clinical treatment of drug-resistant pathogens.
Topics: Abscess; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Female; Humans
PubMed: 35967860
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.958210 -
Experimental Animals 2015Previously we demonstrated coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection during early gestation as a cause of pregnancy loss. Here, we investigated the impacts of CVB3 infection on...
Previously we demonstrated coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection during early gestation as a cause of pregnancy loss. Here, we investigated the impacts of CVB3 infection on female mouse fertility. Coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR) expression and CVB3 replication in the ovary were evaluated by immunohistochemistry or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). CAR was highly expressed in granulosa cells (GCs) and CVB3 replicated in the ovary. Histological analysis showed a significant increase in the number of atretic follicles in the ovaries of CVB3-infected mice (CVBM). Estrous cycle evaluation demonstrated that a higher number of CVBM were in proestrus compared to mock mice (CVBM vs. mock; 61.5%, 28.5%, respectively). Estradiol concentration in GC culture supernatant and serum were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Baseline and stimulated levels of estradiol in GC were decreased in CVBM, consistent with significantly reduced serum levels in these animals. In addition, aromatase transcript levels in GCs from CVBM were also decreased by 40% relative to the mock. Bone mineral density evaluated by micro-computed tomography was significantly decreased in the CVBM. Moreover, the fertility rate was also significantly decreased for the CVBM compared to the mock (CVBM vs. mock; 20%, 94.7%, respectively). This study suggests that CVB3 infection could interfere with reproduction by disturbing ovarian function and cyclic changes of the uterus.
Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Coxsackievirus Infections; Enterovirus B, Human; Estradiol; Estrous Cycle; Female; Granulosa Cells; HeLa Cells; Humans; Infertility, Female; Mice, Inbred ICR; Ovary; Receptors, Virus; Virus Replication
PubMed: 26062767
DOI: 10.1538/expanim.14-0097 -
The Journal of Infectious Diseases Nov 2023Sexually transmitted infections, specifically Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), may be associated with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) risk. The association between CT and EOC...
BACKGROUND
Sexually transmitted infections, specifically Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), may be associated with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) risk. The association between CT and EOC subtypes is unclear. Our aim was to investigate whether history of CT and other infections (Mycoplasma genitalium [MG], herpes simplex virus type 2 [HSV-2], and human papillomavirus [HPV]) are associated with EOC risk by histotype.
METHODS
We measured antibodies (Abs) to CT, MG, HSV-2, and HPV-16/18 in serum samples in a nested case-control study in the Finnish Maternity Cohort (N = 484 cases 1:1 matched to controls). Logistic regression was used to calculate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in seropositive versus seronegative individuals in all cases, as well as serous (n = 249), clear cell and endometrioid (n = 91), and mucinous (n = 144) EOC.
RESULTS
CT seropositivity was not associated with EOC risk (eg, CT pGP3-Ab: RR, 0.92 [95% CI, .72-1.19]), regardless of disease subtype. We observed a positive association between MG seropositivity and mucinous EOC (RR, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.09-2.54]; P for heterogeneity by histotype ≤ .001), but not other subtypes. No associations were observed with seropositivity to multiple STIs.
CONCLUSIONS
CT infection was not associated with EOC risk, with associations observed only for MG and mucinous EOC. Mechanisms linking MG to mucinous EOC remain to be elucidated.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; Finland; Case-Control Studies; Human papillomavirus 16; Human papillomavirus 18; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Herpesvirus 2, Human; Chlamydia trachomatis; Antibodies, Bacterial; Ovarian Neoplasms
PubMed: 37196097
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad171 -
BMJ Case Reports Aug 2017We report a case of a tubo-ovarian abscess infected with serotype A 19-year-old Nepalese woman presented to a hospital in Kathmandu with lower abdominal pain,...
We report a case of a tubo-ovarian abscess infected with serotype A 19-year-old Nepalese woman presented to a hospital in Kathmandu with lower abdominal pain, constipation, fever and a non-healing, suppurative surgical wound from an emergency caesarian section performed 2 months previously at 37 weeks of pregnancy. She also had an exploratory laparotomy for an appendix perforation with peritonitis at 25 weeks of gestation. Her wound infection did not respond to cloxacillin and she had an exploratory laparotomy, and a tubo-ovarian abscess was found from which was isolated. She had a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and responded to 14 days of chloramphenicol. A tubo-ovarian abscess is a rare complication of enteric fever.
Topics: Abdominal Abscess; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cesarean Section; Chloramphenicol; Fallopian Tube Diseases; Female; Humans; Laparotomy; Nepal; Oophoritis; Ovarian Diseases; Salmonella typhi; Salpingo-oophorectomy; Surgical Wound Infection; Treatment Outcome; Typhoid Fever; Ultrasonography; Young Adult
PubMed: 28827431
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2017-221213 -
Maturitas Nov 2009With the advent of highly active antiretroviral agents, women with HIV infection can expect to live longer than ever before. This increased survival has led to concerns... (Review)
Review
With the advent of highly active antiretroviral agents, women with HIV infection can expect to live longer than ever before. This increased survival has led to concerns about the long-term implications of HIV disease and its treatment. Women with HIV infection appear to lose ovarian function earlier in life than women without HIV infection. They also have evidence of reduced bone mineral density and increased cardiovascular risk. Moreover, many of these increases in risk factors are present even prior to the menopausal transition. All of these risks, present at midlife, augur poorly for future health and describe a substantially increased burden of disease likely to accrue to HIV-infected women as they enter older age groups. Further compounding the adversity faced by the HIV infected, the demographics of women most vulnerable to this disease include adverse social and economic influences, both of which worsen their long-term prognosis. For example, drug use and poverty are related to more severe menopausal symptoms and chronic stress is related to worse psychological and cardiovascular risk. An understanding of how menopause interacts with HIV infection is therefore most important to alert the clinician to perform surveillance for common health problems in postmenopausal women, and to address directly and appropriately symptomatology during the menopausal transition.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Menopause; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Social Class; Stress, Psychological; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 19783389
DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2009.09.001 -
Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1991Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon cause of infection in the female genital tract. An unusual case of postmenopausal pneumococcal tubo-ovarian abscess is presented....
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon cause of infection in the female genital tract. An unusual case of postmenopausal pneumococcal tubo-ovarian abscess is presented. The pathogenesis of this infection probably entailed the ascent of bacteria from the vagina to the internal genitalia; there was no evidence of infection of the bloodstream or gastrointestinal tract.
Topics: Abscess; Fallopian Tube Diseases; Female; Humans; Menopause; Middle Aged; Ovarian Diseases; Pneumococcal Infections; Streptococcus pneumoniae
PubMed: 1962105
DOI: 10.1093/clinids/13.5.896