Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jacques Ravel, Inmaculada Moreno, Carlos Simon
Summary: Bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and endometritis can lead to infertility due to factors such as inflammation, immune response, bacterial toxins, and increased risk of sexually transmitted infections. Diagnosing and treating these conditions before attempting conception may improve outcomes of natural and assisted reproduction for symptomatic women.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Caroline M. Mitchell, Gloria E. Anyalechi, Craig R. Cohen, Catherine L. Haggerty, Lisa E. Manhart, Sharon L. Hillier
Summary: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is associated with a wide range of potential causal pathogens, including sexually transmitted organisms, BV-associated species, and organisms usually found in the gastrointestinal or respiratory tracts. Broad screening and diagnostic and treatment strategies are needed to reduce the burden of PID and its associated sequelae as gonorrhea or chlamydia are only found in a minority of cases.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Afroditi Ziogou, Eleftherios Ziogos, Ilias Giannakodimos, Alexios Giannakodimos, Stavros Sifakis, Petros Ioannou, Sotirios Tsiodras
Summary: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition where the normal protective Lactobacilli are replaced by high quantities of facultative anaerobes, leading to gynecologic and obstetric post-operative complications. BV is an important cause of obstetric and gynecological adverse sequelae and it increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections. BV is often asymptomatic, can resolve spontaneously, and often relapses with or without treatment.
Review
Immunology
Sharon L. Hillier, Kyle T. Bernstein, Sevgi Aral
Summary: PID is a global syndrome that causes significant morbidity in women. While gonococcal and chlamydial infections are commonly associated with PID, other pathogens such as Mycoplasma genitalium and respiratory pathogens also play a role. Developing noninvasive diagnostic tests and vaccines may help improve diagnosis and prevention of PID.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Erica M. Lokken, Lisa E. Manhart, John Kinuthia, James P. Hughes, Clayton Jisuvei, Khamis Mwinyikai, Charles H. Muller, Kishor Mandaliya, Walter Jaoko, R. Scott McClelland
Summary: This study suggests that women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) may have reduced fecundability, with a more significant reduction observed in women with persistent BV. The research also highlights the potential for intervention targets through studying the vaginal microbiota.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Alexander Swidsinski, Vera Loening-Baucke, Sonja Swidsinski, Jack D. Sobel, Yvonne Doerffel, Alexander Guschin
Summary: This study investigated the adhesive and cohesive patterns of different bacteria in vaginal discharge of women diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis. The results showed that the bacteria in vaginal smears were not randomly assembled, but had specific distribution patterns based on their cohesiveness and adherence to epithelial cells. The study also identified two main types of bacterial vaginosis: biofilm vaginosis and bacterial excess vaginosis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Li-Yeh Chen, Tomor Harnod, Yu-Hsun Chang, Hsuan Chen, Dah-Ching Ding
Summary: The combination of clindamycin + gentamicin is an effective treatment protocol for PID, with the addition of metronidazole not significantly impacting treatment outcomes. High pain scores and elevated body temperature lead to longer hospital stays and increased treatment costs.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kathryn Peebles, Flavia M. Kiweewa, Thesla Palanee-Phillips, Catherine Chappell, Devika Singh, Katherine E. Bunge, Logashvari Naidoo, Bonus Makanani, Nitesha Jeenarain, Doerieyah Reynolds, Sharon L. Hillier, Elizabeth R. Brown, Jared M. Baeten, Jennifer E. Balkus
Summary: The study suggests that Cu-IUD users have a higher risk of BV, which persists throughout use. Women and their providers may need to consider this risk when discussing contraceptive options.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Marjolein M. van den Tweel, Ellen H. A. van den Munckhof, Moniek van der Zanden, Anco C. Molijn, Jan M. M. van Lith, Saskia Le Cessie, Kim E. Boers
Summary: This study investigates the role of bacterial vaginosis (BV) on pregnancy rates during various fertility treatments. The study found that BV does not significantly impact ongoing pregnancy rates but could affect miscarriage rates.
JOURNAL OF ASSISTED REPRODUCTION AND GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Daphne-Dominique H. Villanueva, Jordan P. Staton, Asmita A. Gupte
Summary: This case report highlights a rare case of systemic Haemophilus influenzae infection in a patient with pelvic inflammatory disease. The endometrium can serve as a potential source of H. influenzae infection when no typical primary focus is found.
CUREUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Linda Abou Chacra, Florence Fenollar, Khoudia Diop
Summary: The vaginal microbiome is an important part of the human microbiome, characterized by unique conditions. Increased diversity in the microbiota can lead to dysbiosis such as bacterial vaginosis, with significant health consequences. Diagnosis and treatment methods are evolving, and research on this topic is becoming increasingly important.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Eric Armstrong, Rupert Kaul
Summary: HIV incidence remains high in Eastern and Southern Africa, particularly affecting women. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in African, Caribbean, and other Black (ACB) women is associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition, with Lactobacillus species such as L. crispatus offering better protection compared to the more common species L. iners. Further research is needed to determine the mechanisms behind the varying levels of HIV protection among different Lactobacillus species.
Article
Immunology
Jorma Paavonen, Renee Turzanski Fortner, Matti Lehtinen, Annika Idahl
Summary: The link between Chlamydia trachomatis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) may be relatively weak, but biologically plausible, requiring further investigation in future studies.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
L. Stewart Massad, Elizabeth M. Daubert, Charlesnika T. Evans, Howard Minkoff, Seble Kassaye, Jodie Dionne-Odom, Dominika Seidman, Kerry Murphy, Maria L. Alcaide, Adaora A. Adimora, Anandi N. Sheth, Elizabeth T. Golub, Audrey L. French, Kathleen M. Weber
Summary: The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among women with HIV decreased over time in the study, and varied across different regions in the United States.
JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Wei Zou, Linna Gong, Fenghua Zhou, Yao Long, Zhen Li, Zuoqi Xiao, Bo Ouyang, Menghua Liu
Summary: Penyanling has shown anti-inflammatory effects on PID rats by suppressing cell infiltrations and inflammatory mediator release, as well as promoting the production of lipoxin A4. It can also regulate NF-kappa B signal pathway and enhance inflammation resolution, with its main components being flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, and alkaloids.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Natasha D. Williams, Rodman E. Turpin, Ellesse-Roselee L. Akre, Bradley O. Boekeloo, Jessica N. Fish
Summary: This study aimed to describe disparities in self-reported mental health, need for mental health care, and barriers to care at the intersection of sexual identity and sex. The findings showed that compared to heterosexual men, bisexual women had the poorest mental health and the greatest number of barriers to care, while gay-lesbian women reported the most frequent need for care.
PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES
(2022)
Article
Health Policy & Services
Lee Hoff, Joy D. Scheidell, Medha Mazumdar, Jonathan Feelemyer, Typhanye Dyer, Rodman E. Turpin, Charles M. Cleland, Ellen C. Caniglia, Molly Remch, Russell Brewer, Christopher Hucks-Ortiz, Natalia M. Irvine, Kenneth H. Mayer, Maria R. Khan
Summary: This study examined the associations of incarceration with healthcare access and utilization among Black sexual minority men, finding a link between incarceration and depressive symptoms. Participants with a history of incarceration were more likely to have depressive symptoms at baseline, and recent incarceration was associated with increased risk of mistrust in healthcare providers and emergency room utilization. Additionally, among men reporting depressive symptoms, a history of incarceration was associated with difficulties in communication with providers.
AIDS CARE-PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-MEDICAL ASPECTS OF AIDS/HIV
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria Rabia Khan, Russell Brewer, Jasmyn Abrams, Medha Mazumdar, Joy D. Scheidell, Jonathan Feelemyer, Typhanye Dyer, Rodman E. Turpin, Christopher Hucks-Ortiz, Charlotte A. Gaydos, MacRegga Severe, Natalia M. Irvine, Jay S. Kaufman, Charles M. Cleland, Kenneth H. Mayer
Summary: Incarceration may increase STI/HIV risk among Black sexual minority men and Black transgender women. Additional mixed-methods research is needed to validate associations and understand pathways.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rodman E. Turpin, David J. Hawthorne, Andre D. Rosario
Summary: Interventions promoting HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Black sexual minority men (BSMM) are crucial, but the efficacy differs between PrEP initiation and PrEP adherence outcomes. This study highlights the importance of PrEP adherence for optimal HIV prevention and suggests future interventions should focus on measuring and promoting PrEP adherence, taking cultural competence and peer components into consideration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Vardhmaan Jain, Mahmoud Al Rifai, Rodman Turpin, Hatice Nur Eken, Ankit Agrawal, Dhruv Mahtta, Zainab Samad, Stephanie Coulter, Fatima Rodriguez, Laura A. Petersen, Salim S. Virani
Summary: This study shows that women with premature ASCVD are more likely to report worse physical and mental health, inability to access healthcare due to cost, and nonadherence to medications due to cost. Interventions addressing mental health and out-of-pocket costs are needed for adults with premature ASCVD.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sarah Elizabeth Brown, Xin He, Michelle D. Shardell, Jacques Ravel, Khalil G. Ghanem, Jonathan M. Zenilman, Rebecca M. Brotman
Summary: In this pilot study, cessation of douching was not found to have significant effects on the composition and structure of the vaginal microbiota. Additional interventions may be necessary to restore optimal vaginal microbiota among women who practice douching.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Amanda E. Ng, Rodman Turpin, Eric M. Connor, Natalie Slopen
Summary: This study examines the association between childhood socioeconomic disadvantage and all-cause mortality, and finds that males are more vulnerable to this association. Education, substance use, depression, and underlying health conditions play important roles in mediating this association. Further research is needed to clarify the developmental mechanisms behind sex differences and identify effective intervention strategies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael T. France, Sarah E. Brown, Anne M. Rompalo, Rebecca M. Brotman, Jacques Ravel
Summary: While some mother-daughter pairs had similar vaginal microbiota, the degree of similarity did not exceed chance expectations. However, shared bacterial strains were found more often between individuals from different families, suggesting biogeographic patterns in vaginal bacteria. Further studies are needed to demonstrate vertical transmission of the vaginal microbiota.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Susan Tuddenham, Pawel Gajer, Anne E. Burke, Catherine Murphy, Sabra L. Klein, Christina A. Stennett, Barbara Wilgus, Jacques Ravel, Khalil G. Ghanem, Rebecca M. Brotman
Summary: This study compared the vaginal microbiota of women using combined oral contraceptives (COCs) with those not using contraceptives. The findings showed that COC users had more stable and Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota. The results have clinical implications for the timing and effectiveness of COC use.
Article
Immunology
Sarah E. Brown, Susan Tuddenham, Michelle D. Shardell, Mark A. Klebanoff, Khalil G. Ghanem, Rebecca M. Brotman
Summary: This study found an association between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and the duration of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection, with BV patients having longer durations and lower rates of spontaneous clearance.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Joanna-Lynn C. Borgogna, Savannah G. Grace, Johanna B. Holm, Tadeo Aviles Zuniga, Herlin Kadriu, Xin He, Sarah R. McCoski, Jacques Ravel, Rebecca M. Brotman, Carl J. Yeoman
Summary: This study investigates the associations between condomless vaginal intercourse and lubricant use on the vaginal metabolome. The results show that both practices lead to higher concentrations of metabolites indicative of epithelial damage and antioxidants. Lubricant use is also associated with an increase in lipids related to cellular damage, antimicrobials, and a cooling agent.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Johanna B. Holm, Kayla A. Carter, Jacques Ravel, Rebecca M. Brotman
Summary: This review summarizes the role of Lactobacillus iners in the vaginal microbiome, emphasizes the importance of considering strain-level characteristics, and explains how whole metagenome sequencing can aid in understanding this species in genital health. Recent findings suggest that L. iners exists in the vagina as a unique combination of strains, and further research is needed to explore its functional roles and impact on susceptibility to infections.
CURRENT INFECTIOUS DISEASE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Rodman E. Turpin, C. J. Mandell, Aaron D. Camp, Rochelle R. Davidson Mhonde, Typhanye V. Dyer, Kenneth H. Mayer, Hongjie Liu, Thomas Coates, Bradley O. Boekeloo
Summary: This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Black sexual minority men and their engagement with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and misinformation were found to be prevalent and directly affected PrEP use. The pandemic has brought about changes in the healthcare system, sexual and relationship contexts, and has implications for PrEP access and HIV vulnerability. Future research on the relationship between pandemic stressors and HIV prevention among Black sexual minority men is recommended.
JAIDS-JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES
(2023)
Letter
Urology & Nephrology
Sarah E. Brown, Rebecca M. Brotman
JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jonathan M. Feelemyer, Dustin B. Duncan, Molly V. Remch, Jay D. Kaufman, Charles E. Cleland, Amanda A. Geller, Typhanye Dyer, Joy Scheidell, Rodman H. Turpin, Russell R. Brewer, Christopher Hucks-Ortiz, Medha Mazumdar, Kenneth Mayer, Maria Khan
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the associations between racialized and homophobia-based police harassment (RHBPH) and healthcare distrust and utilization among Black Sexual Minority Men (BSMM). The study found that frequent experience of RHBPH was associated with increased distrust in healthcare providers (aOR 1.31, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.74) and missing 50% or more of healthcare visits at six-month follow-up (aOR 1.93, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.43).