Assessing the Level of Knowledge, Beliefs and Acceptance of HPV Vaccine: A Cross-Sectional Study in Romania

(1) Background: The infection with Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection and it has been associated with cervical cancer (CC) in 99.7% of the cases. In Romania, CC is the second most common, with incidence (22.6%000) and mortality rates (9.6%000) three times higher than any other European country. Our aim was to assess the level of knowledge regarding HPV infection among parents, highschool students, medical students and doctors, with an emphasis on their main source of information—the Internet. (2) Methods: We applied five questionnaires to six categories of respondents: parents of pupils in the 6th–8th grades, medical students, doctors, boys in the 11th–12th grades, girls in the 11th–12th grades and their mothers. (3) Results: We included a total of 3108 respondents. 83.83% of all respondents had known about HPV infection. The level of information about HPV infection and vaccination was either satisfactory, poor or very poor. Their main source of information varied depending on the respondent profile and professional activity. Medical students were informed by doctors and healthcare professionals (53.0%), doctors gathered their information from books, journals and specialized brochures (61.6%). For the other categories of respondents, the Internet was the main source of information. Most respondents answered that doctors and healthcare professionals should provide information on HPV infection and vaccination, but very few of them actually seeked information from their general practitioner. (4) Conclusions: Population adherence to the appropriate preventative programs, as well as relevant information disseminated by the medical staff are key elements towards reducing the risk of HPV-associated cancers. An important role could also be played by schools, where teachers and school doctors could provide relevant information on the general aspects of HPV infection. Additionally, sex education classes and parent-teacher meetings should cover the main characteristics of HPV infection and what preventative measures can be employed against it

The Role of p16/Ki-67 Immunostaining, hTERC Amplification and Fibronectin in Predicting Cervical Cancer Progression: A Systematic Review

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are common sexually transmitted infectious agents responsible for several anogenital and head and neck cancers. Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth leading cause of death in women with cancer. The progression of a persistent HPV infection to cancer takes 15–20 years and can be preventable through screening. Cervical cytology (Pap smear) is the standard screening test for CC and precancerous lesions. For ASC-US and ASC-H lesions, a combination of Pap smear and HR-HPV analysis is recommended as a triage step before colposcopy. However, these tests cannot predict progression to CC. For this purpose, we summarized current scientific data on the role of p16/Ki-67 immunohistostaining, telomerase and fibronectin in predicting progression to CC. p16 and p16/Ki-67 dual staining (DS) were more specific than HR-HPV DNA testing for the detection of CIN2+/CIN3+ in women with ASC-US and LSIL. Similarly, hTERC FISH analysis significantly improved the specificity and positive predictive value of HPV DNA testing in differentiating CIN2+ from CIN2 cytological samples. In conclusion, p16 IHC, p16/Ki-67 DS and hTERC FISH amplification are all valid adjunctive biomarkers which significantly increase the sensitivity and specificity of cervical dysplasia diagnosis, especially when combined with HPV DNA testing. However, considering the global socioeconomic background, we can postulate that p16 and p16/ Ki-67 IHC can be used as a next step after positive cytology for ASC-US or LSIL specimens in low-income countries, instead of HPV DNA testing. Alternatively, if HPV DNA testing is covered by insurance, p16 or p16/Ki-67 DS and HPV DNA co-testing can be performed. In middle- and high-income countries, hTERC amplification can be performed as an adjunctive test to HPV DNA testing in women with ASC-US and LSIL

FETAL CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE DIAGNOSED ANTEPARTUM

The diagnosis of fetal cerebral hemorrhage (HCF) is less reported (0,9/1000 births) in comparison to the postpartum one. We presented 2 cases of fetal intraventricular hemorrhages diagnosed. Case 1: HCF diagnosed by ultrasound at the gestational age of 28 weeks and confirmed after birth by the presence of erythrocytes (significant number, pathological aspect) in the spinal fluid and by the modifications signaled by the transfontanellar ultrasound (severe internal hydrocephaly, minimum cerebral tissue). The death occurred after 24 hours postpartum (pathological exam: intraventricular cerebral hemorrhage). We mention the apparent lack of maternal risk factors, negative TORCH tests. Case 2: internal hydrocephaly at the age of 37 gestational weeks and confirmed in newborn (after cesarean section) by the clinical characteristic modifications, severe neurological impairment with modification at the transfontanellar ultrasound and the hemorrhagic and hypertensive aspect of the spinal fluid. We did not encounter maternal risk factors. Also, apparently, there were not any fetal risks: weight 2,820 grams at 37 gestational weeks, negative TORCH tests, negative cultures and CRP. The hydrocephaly had a progressive evolution imposing ventriculotomies and cysternotomies; the placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt during the third neurosurgical intervention improved the vital prognosis. Conclusions. The presence of hydrocephaly was a faithful ultrasound sign for the diagnosis of HCF. The evolution and the prognosis are influenced by the severity of hemorrhage and the gestational age. The survivors benefit from neurosurgical treatment. The multifactorial etiology, of the HCF incompletely elucidated leads to difficulties in establishing a target group of screening, in order to identify this lesion

HEMORAGIA CEREBRALĂ FETALĂ DIAGNOSTICATĂ ANTEPARTUM

Diagnosticul antepartum al hemoragiei cerebrale fetale (HCF) este mai puţin raportat (0,9/1.000 naşteri) comparativ cu cel postpartum. Sunt prezentate două cazuri de hemoragie intraventriculară fetală, diagnosticate ecografic antepartum. Cazul 1: HCF diagnosticată ecografic la vârsta gestaţională de 28 de săptamâni de gestaţie şi confirmată postnatal prin prezenţa în LCR a hematiilor (număr semnificativ, ratatinate) şi a modificărilor semnalate de ecografia transfontanelară (hidrocefalie internă severă, ţesut cerebral minim). Decesul a survenit la 24 de ore postpartum (ex. histopatologic: hemoragie cerebrală intraventriculară). Menţionăm absenţa aparentă a factorilor de risc materni, negativitatea testelor TORCH. Cazul 2: hidrocefalie internă la vârsta de 37 de săptămâni de gestaţie şi confirmată la nou-născut (după cezariană) de modificările clinice caracteristice, suferinţa neurologică severă asociată cu modificări la ecografia transfontanelară şi aspectul hemoragic şi hipertensiv al LCR. Nu au fost depistaţi factori de risc materni. De asemenea, aparent nu au existat riscuri fetale: greutatea 2.820 g la 37 de săptămâni de gestaţie, teste TORCH negative, culturi şi CRP negative. Hidrocefalia a avut o evoluţie progresivă impunând ventriculotomii şi cisternotomii; plasarea unui şunt ventriculo-peritoneal în timpul celei de-a treia intervenţii neurochirurgicale a ameliorat prognosticul vital. Concluzii. Prezenţa hidrocefaliei a fost un semn ecografic fidel pentru diagnosticul HCF. Evoluţia şi prognosticul sunt influenţate de severitatea hemoragiei şi de vârsta gestaţională. Supravieţuitorii beneficiază de tratamentul neurochirurgical. Etiopatogenia plurifactorială, incomplet descifrată a HCF conduce la dificultăţi în stabilirea unui grup ţintă de screening, în scopul identificării acestei leziuni