Epidemiology of HPV Infection and HPV-Related Cancers in Kazakhstan: a Review

Background: Cancer is one of the most prevalent causes of mortality worldwide. In the cervix it is considered to be caused by different high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types. Although many studies have already been conducted worldwide on the epidemiology of HPV infection and their oncogenic properties, limited data are available on HPV prevalence, incidence and genotype specific dissemination in Kazakhstan. Methods: To review the distribution of HPV infection, electronic databases (e.g. PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were searched for peer reviewed articles in English. The study was performed during June-July 2017 with a review of 39 relevant articles, published up to July 31, 2017. The following inclusion criteria were applied: general population data, cytology results available, and use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or Hybrid Capture® 2, Digene Corp., USA for HPV detection. Results: As reported in limited studies, the prevalence of HPV infection in Kazakhstan ranges from 43.8% to 55.8%. However, the scenario with regard to epidemiology of HPV related cancers in Kazakhstan is not very clear. One study reported a decline of laryngeal cancer observed during the recent years, whereas cervical cancer incidence has increased to about 3000 new cervical cancer cases, and about 1,000 cervical cancer deaths each year. Conclusion: The high incidence of cervical cancer with a significant mortality rate in Kazakhstan is evidence of HPV infection abundance despite an absence of HPV screening and low public awareness of the problem. Having a well-informed understanding of the role of HPV infection could enhance the public’s acceptance of screening and intervention programs to reduce morbidity and mortality in the country due to HPV infection. Thus, the purpose of this review article is to summarize the existing data, identifying directions for future research on HPV epidemiology and HPV-related diseases in Kazakhstan

Extremophiles from unique ecosystems of Kazakhstan as potential producers of novel antibiotics

Bacteria in the order Actinomycetales account for 45% of the bioactive microbial metabolites discovered. These organisms have played a central role in the development of the modern pharmaceutical industry. The search for novel antibiotics for use in medicine – important aspect of soil microbial diversity

New recreational water testing alternatives

Each year recreational water users descend on national parks by the millions. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations require monitoring waters for fecal indicator bacteria in order to safeguard human health, and obtaining results using the culturing method takes 18 hours or more of analytical time. Thus, under this surveillance regime swimmers can be exposed to waterborne disease organisms before health advisories can be issued. To address the need for timelier notification of recreational water quality, the EPA has evaluated and approved new and faster testing methods as of November 2012. This article discusses new recreational water testing methodologies such as qPCR, empirical predictive modeling, rainfall threshold levels, and advanced notification options for park managers to consider and tailor to their needs

Profile of time-dependent VEGF upregulation in human pulmonary endothelial cells, HPMEC-ST1.6R infected with DENV-1, -2, -3, and -4 viruses

In this study, the upregulated expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a pulmonary endothelial cell line (HPMEC-ST1.6R) infected with dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 (DENV-1, -2, -3 and -4), was investigated. This cell line exhibits the major constitutive and inducible endothelial cell characteristics, as well as angiogenic response. Infection by all four DENV serotypes was confirmed by an observed cytopathic effect (CPE), as well as RT-PCR (reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction) assays. As we had previously reported, the DENV-infected HPMEC-ST1.6R cells exhibited an elongated cytoplasmic morphology, possibly representing a response to VEGF and activation of angiogenesis. In this study, increase in VEGF expression level at designated time points of 0, 8, 24, 96 and 192 hours post-infection was investigated, using a microbead-based Bio-Plex immunoassay. Increased level of VEGF expression in infected-HPMEC-ST1.6R was detected at 8 hours post-infection. Interestingly, VEGF expression level began to decrease up to 96 hours post-infection, after which an upsurge of increased VEGF expression was detected at 192 hours post-infection. This profile of VEGF upregulated expression pattern associated with DENV infection appeared to be consistent among all four DENV-serotypes, and was not observed in mock-infected cells. In this study, the expression level of VEGF, a well-established vascular permeabilizing agent was shown to be elevated in a time-dependent manner, and exhibited a unique dual-response profile, in a DENV-infected endothelial cell. The experimental observation described here provided additional insights into potential mechanism for VEGF-mediated vascular leakage associated with DENV, and support the idea that there are potential applications of anti-VEGF therapeutic interventions for prevention of severe DENV infections

Assessment of Risk Factors of Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Peptic Ulcer Disease

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a risk factor for peptic ulcer. There have been no studies addressing environmental and dietary risk factors in western India. We conducted a case control study enrolling peptic ulcer patients in Pune, India. Materials and Methods: Risk factors for peptic ulcer and H. pylori infection were assessed in a participant interview. H. pylori status was assessed from stool by monoclonal antigen detection. Results: We enrolled 190 peptic ulcer, 35 stomach cancer patients, and 125 controls. Fifty-one percent (180/350) of the participants were infected with H. pylori. Lower socioeconomic status (SES) [odds ratio (OR): 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.39], meat consumption (OR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.30-4.23), smoking (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.24-4.02), eating restaurant food (OR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.39-10.23), and drinking nonfiltered or nonboiled water (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.23) were risk factors for H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection (OR: 1.70, 95% CI:I. 03-2.89), meat (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.75), fish (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.89) consumption, and a family history of ulcer (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08-1.60) were risk factors for peptic ulcer. Consumption of chili peppers (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.10-0.37) and parasite infestation (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.24-0.80) were protective against H. pylori infection. Conclusion: H. pylori infection is associated with peptic ulcer. Lower SES, consumption of restaurant food, meat, nonfiltered water, and smoking are risk factors for H. pylori. Consumption of meat, fish, and a family history of peptic ulcer are risk factors for peptic ulcer. Consumption of chili peppers and concurrent parasite infestation appear to be protective against H. pylori

Application of molecular genotyping to determine prevalence of HPV strains in Pap smears of Kazakhstan women

Objectives: Human papillomavirus is themain causative agent for cervical cancer. However, few data are available about HPV prevalence in Kazakhstan. The aims of this study were to genotype HPV DNA in Pap smear samples of women to determine prevalence of carcinogenic HPV types in Astana, Kazakhstan and to analyze the association between HPV positivity and the cytology results of patient samples. Methods: Pap smear materials were obtained from 140 patients aged 18-59, who visited the outpatient gynecological clinic. Microscopic examination was done to detect dysplasia, and HPV genotyping was done using real-time multiplex PCR. Results: HPV testing showed that among 61 HPV positive patients, the most prevalent types were 16 and 18. Microscopic examination showed that 79% of the samples had normal cytology, while 13% had CIN grade I, 5% had CIN grade II, and 3% had CIN grade III. The analysis revealed that 12% of the samples had CIN cytology and presence of HPV. Approximately 31% had HPV without cervical dysplasia, while 8% of samples were CIN positive without HPV infection. A statistically significant relationship between HPV 16 and HPV 33 positive samples and CIN grade II and III was found. Conclusions: Overall, this study will help to strengthen and guide health policy implementation of primary and secondary cervical cancer prevention strategies in Kazakhstan.2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync nd/4.0/)

Bacterial growth in media mimicking the high salt and alkalinity of extreme kazakhstan environments results in production of antimicrobial compounds in soil actinomycetes isolated from these extremophile locations

Increasing antibiotic resistance among multidrug resistant pathogens necessitates the search for newer antimicrobials. Streptomyces historically produce the largest number of antibacterials and herein we describe isolation of antagonists from extremophiles using unusual culture media. Antagonists or antimicrobials produced under extremophile environmental conditions demonstrated activity against MRSA from Kazakhstan and the United States

Bacterial growth in media mimicking the high salt and alkalinity of extreme kazakhstan environments results in production of antimicrobial compounds in soil actinomycetes isolated from these extremophile locations

Increasing antibiotic resistance among multidrug resistant pathogens necessitates the search for newer antimicrobials. Streptomyces historically produce the largest number of antibacterials and herein we describe isolation of antagonists from extremophiles using unusual culture media. Antagonists or antimicrobials produced under extremophile environmental conditions demonstrated activity against MRSA from Kazakhstan and the United States

Assessment of Risk Factors of Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Peptic Ulcer Disease

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a risk factor for peptic ulcer. There have been no studies addressing environmental and dietary risk factors in western India. We conducted a case control study enrolling peptic ulcer patients in Pune, India. Materials and Methods: Risk factors for peptic ulcer and H. pylori infection were assessed in a participant interview. H. pylori status was assessed from stool by monoclonal antigen detection. Results: We enrolled 190 peptic ulcer, 35 stomach cancer patients, and 125 controls. Fifty-one percent (180/350) of the participants were infected with H. pylori. Lower socioeconomic status (SES) [odds ratio (OR): 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.39], meat consumption (OR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.30-4.23), smoking (OR: 2.23, 95% CI: 1.24-4.02), eating restaurant food (OR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.39-10.23), and drinking nonfiltered or nonboiled water (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.23) were risk factors for H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection (OR: 1.70, 95% CI:I. 03-2.89), meat (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02-1.75), fish (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.89) consumption, and a family history of ulcer (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08-1.60) were risk factors for peptic ulcer. Consumption of chili peppers (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.10-0.37) and parasite infestation (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.24-0.80) were protective against H. pylori infection. Conclusion: H. pylori infection is associated with peptic ulcer. Lower SES, consumption of restaurant food, meat, nonfiltered water, and smoking are risk factors for H. pylori. Consumption of meat, fish, and a family history of peptic ulcer are risk factors for peptic ulcer. Consumption of chili peppers and concurrent parasite infestation appear to be protective against H. pylori

Application of molecular genotyping to determine prevalence of HPV strains in Pap smears of Kazakhstan women

Abstract ObjectivesHuman papillomavirus is the main causative agent for cervical cancer. However, few data are available about HPV prevalence in Kazakhstan. The aims of this study were to genotype HPV DNA in Pap smear samples of women to determine prevalence of carcinogenic HPV types in Astana, Kazakhstan and to analyze the association between HPV positivity and the cytology results of patient samples. MethodsPap smear materials were obtained from 140 patients aged 18-59, who visited the outpatient gynecological clinic. Microscopic examination was done to detect dysplasia, and HPV genotyping was done using real-time multiplex PCR. ResultsHPV testing showed that among 61 HPV positive patients, the most prevalent types were 16 and 18. Microscopic examination showed that 79% of the samples had normal cytology, while 13% had CIN grade I, 5% had CIN grade II, and 3% had CIN grade III. The analysis revealed that 12% of the samples had CIN cytology and presence of HPV. Approximately 31% had HPV without cervical dysplasia, while 8% of samples were CIN positive without HPV infection. A statistically significant relationship between HPV 16 and HPV 33 positive samples and CIN grade II and III was found. ConclusionsOverall, this study will help to strengthen and guide health policy implementation of primary and secondary cervical cancer prevention strategies in Kazakhstan