Dermal substitutes for full‐thickness wounds in a one‐stage grafting model

We tested different biodegradable matrix materials as dermal substitutes in a porcine wound model. Matrixes were covered with a split-skin mesh graft and protected with a microporous, semipermeable membrane, which prevents blister formation, wound infection and provides ultimate healing conditions. Evaluation parameters were as follows: epithelization, dermal reconstitution, wound contraction, and cosmetic and functional aspect. A microfibrillar matrix of nondenatured collagen gave the best result, with immediate fibroblast ingrowth and epidermal outgrowth. Slight inflammatory reaction and minimal wound contraction were observed. Application of a split-skin mesh graft, in combination with this collagen matrix, generated a thicker dermal layer than did a split-skin mesh graft directly applied on a wound bed. However, the histologic dermal architecture was less optimal than one obtained with a full-thickness punch graft method. Other matrixes caused inflammatory reactions, interfering with epithelization and dermal reconstitution. We conclude that a nondenatured collagen matrix, in combination with a split-skin mesh graft, can provide a substitute dermis in a full-thickness wound. This combination is preferable to a split-skin mesh graft directly applied on the wound bed. With our microporous semipermeable membrane, the combined use of a dermal substitute and a split-skin mesh graft can be applied in a single-stage operatio

Genetic variation in the MBL2 gene is associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection and host humoral response to Chlamydia trachomatis infection

This study aims to assess the potential association of MBL2 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to Chlamydia trachomatis infection. We analysed a selected sample of 492 DNA and serum specimens from Dutch Caucasian women. Women were categorized into four groups of infection status based on the results of DNA and antibody tests for C. trachomatis: Ct-DNA+/IgG+, CtDNA+/IgG−, Ct-DNA−/IgG+, and Ct-DNA−/IgG−. We compared six MBL2 SNPs (−619G > C (H/L), −290G > C (Y/X), −66C > T (P/Q), +154C > T (A/D), +161A > G (A/B), and +170A > G (A/C)) and their respective haplotypes in relation to these different subgroups. The −619C (L) allele was less present within the Ct-DNA−/IgG+ group compared with the Ct-DNA−/IgG− group (OR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.28–0.83), while the +170G (C) allele was observed more in the Ct-DNA+/IgG+ group as compared with the Ct-DNA−/IgG− group (OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.1–5.4). The HYA/HYA haplotype was more often present in the Ct-DNA−/IgG− group compared with the Ct-DNA+/IgG+ group (OR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.16–0.87). The +170G (C) allele was associated with increased IgG production (p = 0.048) in C. trachomatis PCR-positive women. This study shows associations for MBL in immune reactions to C. trachomatis. We showed clear associations between MBL2 genotypes, haplotypes, and individuals’ stages of C. trachomatis DNA and IgG positivity.NGI Life Sciences Pre-Seed and a EuroTransBio grant.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerphMedical Microbiolog

Slow Epidemic of Lymphogranuloma Venereum L2b Strain

We traced the Chlamydia trachomatis L2b variant in Amsterdam and San Francisco. All recent lymphogranuloma venereum cases in Amsterdam were caused by the L2b variant. This variant was also present in the 1980s in San Francisco. Thus, the current "outbreak" is most likely a slowly evolving epidemic

Typing of Lymphogranuloma Venereum Chlamydia trachomatis Strains

We analyzed by multilocus sequence typing 77 lymphogranuloma venereum Chlamydia trachomatis strains from men who have sex with men in Europe and the United States. Specimens from an outbreak in 2003 in Europe were monoclonal. In contrast, several strains were in the United States in the 1980s, including a variant from Europe

Molecular assessment of bacterial vaginosis by Lactobacillus abundance and species diversity

__Background:__ To date, women are most often diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (BV) using microscopy based Nugent scoring or Amsel criteria. However, the accuracy is less than optimal. The aim of the present study was to confirm the identity of known BV-associated composition profiles and evaluate indicators for BV using three molecular methods. __Methods:__ Evaluation of indicators for BV was carried out by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of the V5-V7 region, a tailor-made 16S rRNA oligonucleotide-based microarray, and a PCR-based profiling technique termed IS-profiling, which is based on fragment variability of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region. An inventory of vaginal bacterial species was obtained from 40 females attending a Dutch sexually transmitted infection outpatient clinic, of which 20 diagnosed with BV (Nugent score 7-10), and 20 BV negative (Nugent score 0-3). __Results:__ Analysis of the bacterial communities by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed two clusters in the BV negative women, dominated by either Lactobacillus iners or Lactobacillus crispatus and three distinct clusters in the BV positive women. In the former, there was a virtually complete, negative correlation between L. crispatus and L. iners. BV positive subjects showed cluster profiles that were relatively high in bacterial species diversity and dominated by anaerobic species, including Gardnerella vaginalis, an

Can previous associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the tlr2, nod1, cxcr5, and il10 genes in the susceptibility to and severity of chlamydia trachomatis infections be confirmed?

Clear inter-individual differences exist in the response to C. trachomatis (CT) infections and reproductive tract complications in women. Host genetic variation like single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with differences in response to CT infection, and SNPsmight be used as a genetic component in a tubal-pathology predicting algorithm. Our aimwas to confirmthe role of four genes by investigating proven associated SNPs in the susceptibility and severity of a CT infection. A total of 1201 women fromfive cohorts were genotyped and analyzed for TLR2+2477 G>A, NOD1+32656 T→GG, CXCR5+10950 T>C, and IL10-1082 A>G. Results confirmed that NOD1+32656 T→GG was associated with an increased risk of a symptomatic CT infection (OR: 1.9, 95%CI: 1.1-3.4, p = 0.02), but we did not observe an association with late complications. IL10-1082 A>G appeared to increase the risk of late complications (i.e., ectopic pregnancy/tubal factor infertility) following a CT infection (OR=2.8, 95%CI: 1.1-7.1, p=0.02). Other associations were not found. Confirmatory studies are important, and large cohorts are warranted to further investigate SNPs’ role in the susceptibility and severity of a CT infection

Reproductive tract complication risks following Chlamydia trachomatis infections: a long-term prospective cohort study from 2008 to 2022

Background: The clinical and public health relevance of widespread testing for asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia) infections is under debate. To address uncertainties in screening programs, we estimate reproductive tract complication risks following asymptomatic and symptomatic chlamydia infections in a long-term prospective cohort. Methods: A cohort of 5704 reproductive-age women recruited from a chlamydia screening study was followed for up to 14 years. Chlamydia positivity was determined using screening polymerase chain reaction test results, self-reported diagnoses (with/without symptoms), and chlamydia Immunoglobulin G antibodies. Outcome data (pregnancies, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and tubal factor infertility) were collected through self-completed questionnaires. Cox regression calculated adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) with confidence intervals (CI) to compare outcomes between time-updated chlamydia groups since sexual debut. Findings: During 104,612 person-years, 2103 (36.9%) women were chlamydia-positive and 3692 women (64.7%) had been pregnant at least once. Risks for PID, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility were 1.62 (95% CI 1.20–2.17), 1.84 (95% CI 1.14–2.95) and 2.75 (95% CI 1.53–4.94), compared to chlamydia-negatives. aHRs for PID after symptomatic and asymptomatic infections were 2.29 (95% CI 1.62–3.25) and 1.06 (95% CI 0.66–1.69), respectively. Incidence of PID, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility after symptomatic chlamydia infection remained low with rates per 1000 person-years of 5.8, 1.9, and 1.8, respectively. Interpretation: We found a significantly higher risk of PID, ectopic pregnancy and tubal factor infertility in chlamydia-positive women compared to chlamydia-negative women, although the overall incidence rates of complications remained low. Symptomatic, but not asymptomatic, chlamydia infections were associated with PID risk, suggesting the largest disease burden of complications is in this group. Funding: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMW Netherlands) and Research Funding from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports