HPV Medical Research - Influence Of Hpv

Simoes-Barbosa A, Lobo TT, Xavier J, Carvalho SE, Leornadecz E. Universidade Catolica de Brasilia, Programa de Pos-graduacao em Ciencias Genomicas e Biotecnologia, SGAN 916, Brasilia, DF 70790-160, Brazil.

Trichomoniasis presents a broad spectrum of clinical patterns ranging from asymptomatic to severe vaginitis and cervicitis. Despite its importance, very little is known about the genetic relatedness of its causative agent, Trichomonas vaginalis, and the clinical phenotypes. To address this question, analysis of restriction length polymorphism (RFLP) within the intergenic spacer of the ribosomal DNA (IGS) from 60 clinically defined isolates of T. vaginalis was performed. This is the first description of the IGS polymorphism of T. vaginalis. As expected, a considerable number of patients were asymptomatic (28%) while only 12% presented both leukorrhea and macular colpitis, the most evident symptoms of trichomoniasis. The IGS-RFLP with the use of eight restriction enzymes showed absence of correlation between the genetic relatedness of the isolates and symptomatology. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the importance of the IGS polymorphism to the parasite virulence and clinical phenotype.

nt J Gynecol Cancer. 2003 Mar-Apr;13(2):159-63.

Is bacterial vaginosis associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia?

Boyle DC, Barton SE, Uthayakumar S, Hay PE, Pollock JW, Steer PJ, Smith JR. Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.

Previous research has produced conflicting results regarding the association of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). These studies have been weakened in their conclusions mainly by failure to adequately control for the presence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). One proposed mechanism suggesting that carcinogenic nitrosamines acting either independently or via human papilloma virus (HPV) has not been fully tested previously. We undertook a prospective, case-controlled, cross-sectional study where the presence of STIs, in particular human papillomavirus (HPV) which is known to be associated with the development of CIN, was controlled for. Women with BV were not found to have CIN more frequently than women with normal vaginal flora and the quantities of nitrosamines produced by women with BV did not differ significantly from women without BV. We thus found that BV is not associated with CIN.

Publication Types:
• Multicenter Study

Cell Microbiol. 2005 Jun;7(6):887-97.

Trichomonas vaginalis adherence mediates differential gene expression in human vaginal epithelial cells.

Kucknoor A, Mundodi V, Alderete JF. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Centre at San Antonio, TX, USA.

Summary Trichomonas vaginalis, an ancient protist, colonizes the vaginal mucosa causing trichomonosis, a vaginitis that sometimes leads to severe health complications. Preparatory to colonization of the vagina is the adhesion to vaginal epithelial cells (VECs) by trichomonads. We hypothesized that VECs alter the gene expression to form a complex signalling cascade in response to trichomonal adherence. In order to identify the genes that are upregulated, we constructed a subtraction cDNA library after contact with parasites that is enriched for differentially expressed genes from the immortalized MS-74 VECs. Sixty cDNA clones were sequenced and to our knowledge for the first time, differentially regulated genes were identified in response to early trichomonal infection. The identified genes were found to encode functional proteins with specific functions associated with cell structure maintenance and extracellular matrix components, proinflammatory molecules and apoptosis. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmed expression of selected genes. Further, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) protein expression was analysed using Western blot and immunofluorescence assays. Data suggest that p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and tyrosine kinases play a role in COX-2 induction. Finally, T. vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus but not Pentatrichomonas hominis induce expression of COX-2. This is a first attempt at elucidating the basis of interaction of trichomonads with host cells and the corresponding host responses triggered by the parasites.

HPV Medical Research - Influence of HPV on Other Disorders Links

Diagnosis and Treatment of VIN -Vulvar Dysplasia - From the University of Iowa's Ob/Gyn Dept, a fact sheet for patients.

FAQ on Vulvar Dysplasia and Cancer - This FAQ by Frederick R. Jelovsek MD includes the symptoms of vulvar dysplasia (VIN).