Modern diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis infection

Recent advances in tests for the sexually transmitted protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis have increased opportunities for diagnosis and treatment of this important sexually transmitted infection. This review summarises currently available tests, highlighting their performance characteristics, advantages and limitations. The recent development of molecular tests for the detection of T vaginalis, including rapid antigen detection and nucleic acid amplification tests, has significantly improved the quality of diagnostics for trichomoniasis, particularly in women. In light of the expanded menu of testing options now available, improved recognition and better control of trichomoniasis are in sight, which should enable the eventual reduction of adverse reproductive consequences associated with T vaginalis infection

Experimental Gonococcal Infection in Male Volunteers: Cumulative Experience with Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains FA1090 and MS11mkC

Experimental infection of male volunteers with Neisseria gonorrhoeae is safe and reproduces the clinical features of naturally acquired gonococcal urethritis. Human inoculation studies have helped define the natural history of experimental infection with two well-characterized strains of N. gonorrhoeae, FA1090 and MS11mkC. The human model has proved useful for testing the importance of putative gonococcal virulence factors for urethral infection in men. Studies with isogenic mutants have improved our understanding of the requirements for gonococcal LOS structures, pili, opacity proteins, IgA1 protease, and the ability of infecting organisms to obtain iron from human transferrin and lactoferrin during uncomplicated urethritis. The model also presents opportunities to examine innate host immune responses that may be exploited or improved in development and testing of gonococcal vaccines. Here we review results to date with human experimental gonorrhea

Borderline Personality Disorder Symptom Severity and Sexually Transmitted Infection and HIV Risk in African American Incarcerated Men

Sexually transmitted infections (STI)/HIV rates are disproportionately high among men involved in the criminal justice system. Mental health disorders, including personality disorders, are also elevated among inmates. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) may be an important risk factor for STI/HIV, yet remains relatively understudied, particularly among inmates

Rapid Diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis by Testing Vaginal Swabs in an Isothermal Helicase-Dependent AmpliVue Assay

The AmpliVue™ Trichomonas Assay (Quidel) is a new FDA cleared rapid test for qualitative detection of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) DNA in female vaginal specimens. The assay is based on BioHelix’s Helicase-Dependent Amplification (HDA) isothermal technology in conjunction with a disposable lateral-flow detection device, with a total turn-around time of approximately 45 minutes

Differences in Misreporting of Sexual Behavior Over Time: Implications for HIV Trials

We used data from a prospective study of 300 women attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Kingston, Jamaica, to compare participant self-report of recent semen exposure to actual semen exposure measured by prostate-specific antigen in vaginal swabs. Underreporting of semen exposure was significantly more frequent at follow-up than baseline, suggesting the accuracy of reports of sexual behavior may vary over time

Development of an antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance system for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Malawi: comparison of methods.

Susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to gentamicin, the primary treatment for gonorrhea in Malawi since 1993, was determined by using agar dilution MICs, E-test MICs, disc diffusion, and clinical cure rate. Agar dilution MICs were slightly higher in 1996 than in 1993 isolates, with a concomitant drop in the clinical cure rate. E-test MICs were substantially lower than agar dilution determinations, with only 77.4% within 1 log2 concentration

Modeling the Impact of Trichomonas vaginalis Infection on HIV Transmission in HIV-Infected Individuals in Medical Care

To assess factors associated with having a Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection among persons receiving care for HIV and estimate the number of transmitted HIV infections attributable to TV