| 11. |
- Domeika, Marius, et al.
(författare)
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Laboratory diagnostics for non-viral sexually transmitted infections in St. Petersburg, Russia : current situation and hallmarks for improvements
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. - : Wiley. - 0926-9959 .- 1468-3083. ; 22:9, s. 1094-100
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The numbers and performance characteristics of laboratories providing sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnostic services, as well as the rates of morbidity due to STIs in St. Petersburg, Russia, remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the range, quality and availability of diagnostic services for several non-viral STIs (Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum and Trichomonas vaginalis) in St. Petersburg during the period September 2005 to June 2006. METHODS: Survey data focusing on organization and performance characteristics of STI diagnostic services were assessed using questionnaires, telephone interviews and site visits. RESULTS: A total of 118 laboratories providing STI diagnostic services were identified. Of the surveyed laboratories, 54% (64 of 118) diagnosed syphilis, 81% (96 of 118) gonorrhoea, 80% (94 of 118) trichomoniasis and 49% (58 of 118) chlamydial infections. Although most of the laboratories could provide a presumptive diagnosis for syphilis, most of the N. gonorrhoeae and T. vaginalis testing of women did not adhere to international recommendations. Of the laboratories with the capacity to diagnose C. trachomatis infection, 69% still used serological testing (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) to detect antibodies to C. trachomatis. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the diagnostic methods used to establish a laboratory diagnosis, the system of case reporting, the training of laboratory personnel and the level of interlaboratory communication clearly require improvement. This study represents the first step in a process of evaluation of the laboratory support for STI services and the establishment of an interlaboratory network in St. Petersburg.
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| 12. |
- Domeika, Marius, et al.
(författare)
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Mailed urine samples are not an effective screening approach for Chlamydia trachomatis case finding among young men
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. - : Wiley. - 0926-9959 .- 1468-3083. ; 21:6, s. 789-794
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Frequency of testing is known to be low for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in men aged 20–24 years. The use of mailed, home-obtained urine specimens could increase the uptake of young men and facilitate screening programmes for the detection of asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis. Objective The aim of the present study is to evaluate the home screening approach as a tool for recruitment of asymptomatic men for screening of genital C. trachomatis infections. Methods Men aged 19–24 years old (n = 1936) were invited to participate in home-based testing for genital C. trachomatis infection. Persons who agreed to be tested were provided with a testing kit. Self-collected first void urine was sent for testing to the microbiology laboratory. The test result was accessible on the study's web-page 1 week after testing. Individuals with a diagnosed infection were instructed to contact the venereal disease department. Results The response rate was 24% (462/1936). The responders' main reason for not participating was a feeling of being safe regarding STIs (87%; 159/182). The primary reason for this feeling of safety was that the responders were in a steady relationship (59%; 107/159). Having sex outside a steady relationship was reported by 36% (90/250) of the responders. The prevalence of C. trachomatis infection among the responders was 2.02% and the reported history of chlamydial infection was 36% (34/95). Out of the responders, 92% (229/249) were, to varying degrees, concerned about getting STIs; however, the majority (72%; 174/242) estimated the risk to be low. Conclusion Home screening using web-based answer management is a feasible tool for STI screening, which lowers the threshold for people at risk. In this particular population, however, the response rate was too low to be routinely introduced.
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| 13. |
- El-Nour, H., et al.
(författare)
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Neuronal changes in psoriasis exacerbation
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. - : Wiley. - 0926-9959 .- 1468-3083. ; 23:11, s. 1240-1245
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The nervous system contributes to inflammatory skin diseases. Objective The aim of this investigation was to study the neuronal contribution to psoriasis at the remission and exacerbation phases. Methods We examined the expression of the neuronal markers protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) and substance P, in addition to its receptor (R), neurokinin-1R (NK-1R) in psoriatic skin from seven female patients at remission and exacerbation, using immunohistochemistry. Results The number of epidermal PGP 9.5 immunoreactive nerve fibres in the involved skin during exacerbation was decreased (P < 0.01) compared to involved skin at remission and non-involved skin at the exacerbation phase. GAP-43-positive nerve fibres were decreased (P < 0.05) in the involved skin in contrast to non-involved skin, during exacerbation. Substance P expression was seen on both immunoreactive nerve fibres and cells with a down-regulation (P < 0.01) in the number of positive nerve fibres in the involved skin compared to non-involved skin, at the exacerbation phase. The number of substance P-positive cells was slightly lower in the involved skin at exacerbation than at remission. The number of NK-1R immunoreactive cells was increased (P < 0.01) in the involved skin in contrast to non-involved skin, at the exacerbation phase. Conclusion Our findings suggest a crosstalk between the nervous system and inflammation during psoriasis exacerbation in the form of an altered expression of nerve fibres, substance P and its NK-1R.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Kallas, M, et al.
(författare)
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Frequency and distribution pattern of melanocytic naevi in Estonian children and the influence of atopic dermatitis
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. - : Wiley. - 0926-9959 .- 1468-3083. ; 20:2, s. 143-148
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There is a strong correlation between naevus number and prospective melanoma risk. Melanoma is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers in Estonia and primary prevention programmes for melanoma that target risk behaviour in the sun have so far not been launched. Methods: The naevus profile was examined in 549/700 9-year-old Estonian children (282 boys and 267 girls) and the presence of active atopic dermatitis (AD) was registered. Results: There was a wide range of naevi (4-121) and a median total body count of 26. There was no difference in naevus count between boys and girls. No dysplastic naevi were found. Thirty-nine of 549 children (7%) had at least one lesion clinically diagnosed as a congenital naevus. Boys had more naevi on the face (median 4) and trunk (median 12) than girls (median 3 and 9, respectively, P < 0.001). Girls had more naevi on the legs compared with boys (median 4 and 3, respectively, P < 0.01). Fifty-four out of 549 (9.8%) had naevi on the palms and 18/549 (3.3%) on the soles. Children with fair skin, freckles and light hair and eye colours had significantly more naevi than those with darker colours. Thirty-one of 549 (6%) children had AD diagnosed on the examination day and they had a lower total naevus count (median 20) compared with children with no AD (median 27,n = 518, P < 0.05). Conclusions: The naevus situation in Estonian children today might constitute a starting point for evaluating the efficiency of coming preventive measures as a change of naevus number in children might serve as an early marker for a change in melanoma incidence. © 2006 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
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| 16. |
- Löwhagen, Gun-Britt, 1942, et al.
(författare)
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The microenvironment of vulvar skin in women with symptomatic and asymptomatic herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection
- 2006
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Ingår i: J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. - : Wiley. - 0926-9959. ; 20:9, s. 1086-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: It is not known why some individuals infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), experience frequent recurrences, while most of those infected have a completely silent infection. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to study if local factors in the skin could explain this difference. DESIGn 21 HSV-2 seropositive patients, 10 with history of >8 clinical recurrences a year (symptomatics) and 11 without symptoms of genital herpes (asymptomatics) were included. All had to answer a questionnaire. With standardised methods, the skin temperature, pH, and the skin barrier function, expressed as transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin capacitance, were measured on labium majus and perineum. Culture for bacteria was performed from the same regions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: No significant differences in terms of pH and skin barrier function were registered between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Asymptomatic patients had a tendency (0.06) to a higher colonisation with lactobacilli on labium majus than symptomatic patients.
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| 17. |
- Maroti, Marianne, et al.
(författare)
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Quality of life before and 6 weeks after treatment in a dermatological outpatient treatment unit
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. - : Wiley. - 0926-9959 .- 1468-3083. ; 20:9, s. 1081-1085
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Dermatological disease affects quality of life to a great extent. Treatments are time-consuming and many patients have problems adhering to treatment. Attending an outpatient unit regularly during an intensive treatment period may enable patients to cope with their illness, adhere to treatment and thus improve their quality of life. Objective: To study the effect on quality of life of 6 weeks of regular treatment in the outpatient unit in the County Hospital of Jönköping, by means of a questionnaire and interviews. Methods: The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was distributed to 50 consecutive patients with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or pruritus attending our outpatient treatment unit. Nine of the patients were interviewed during treatment about factors that might influence their quality of life. Results: The DLQI scores before treatment indicated a low quality of life. Women were more affected than men. After 6 weeks of treatment there was a clear improvement, with a 57% reduction in the scores. The answers from the interviews indicated important areas of concern such as withdrawal from public places, adoption of special clothing habits and concern about personal relationships. Conclusion: Dermatological diseases have an important influence on patients' quality of life. Attending an outpatient treatment unit was in this series of cases associated with improved quality of life as measured with the DLQI. © 2006 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
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| 18. |
- Nylander Lundqvist, Elisabet, et al.
(författare)
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Psychological health in patients with genital and oral erosive lichen planus
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. - : Wiley. - 0926-9959 .- 1468-3083. ; 20:6, s. 661-666
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Erosive lichen planus is a severe, recurrent and recalcitrant disease that affects several mucosal areas, mostly the genital area and the mouth, but also, for example, the oesophagus and perianal area. The disease causes serious symptoms, because of the raw, de-epithelialized mucosa and healing with scars/adhesions, which affect the patient's life in many ways. It causes, for example, difficulties in eating, drinking and going to the bathroom. Treatment is complicated and, so far, few therapeutic drugs other than steroids have been reported. OBJECTIVES: As the disease has severe implications on the patient's life it is important to investigate the psychological health of the patients, as well as the influence of stress on their health and wellbeing, in order to improve treatment. STUDY DESIGN, SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive patients with erosive lichen planus were included during a 1-year period. The study was carried out as 'state-of-the-last-month', and stress, state anxiety, depression and 'erosive lichen planus factors', i.e. symptoms affecting daily life, were assessed. RESULTS: Eighty-seven per cent of the patients had symptoms, severely affecting daily life. Unexpectedly, oral symptoms seemed to be the most prominent. Our results showed that depression, anxiety and stress were more common in patients with erosive lichen planus than in a control group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Erosive lichen planus is a severe disease with symptoms and complications affecting the patient's life. Our results indicate that their psychological health is also affected and emphasize the need for close collaboration between physicians, dentists with special knowledge in oral medicine and counsellors/psychologists to optimize handling of these patients.
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| 19. |
- Olsen, Birgitta, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Population-based assessment of Mycoplasma genitalium in Vietnam : low prevalence among married women of reproductive age in a rural area
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. - Amsterdam : Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.. - 0926-9959 .- 1468-3083. ; 23:5, s. 533-537
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective To analyse the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection in a population-based study among married women from a demographic surveillance site in a rural geographical area of Vietnam.Materials and Methods Women, 18-49 years of age, were randomly selected to participate. DNA was isolated from endocervical swabs sampled from 990 participating women. The M. genitalium MgPa adhesion gene was detected using a real-time PCR with TaqMan probe.Results Eight (0.8% [95% confidence interval, 0.25-1.35%]) of the included women were infected with M. genitalium .Two of these positive women reported clinical symptoms. One additional M. genitalium positive but symptom-free woman, however, showed clinical signs of vaginitis. None of the M. genitalium positive women was concomitantly infected with Chlamydia trachomatis , Neisseria gonorrhoeae , syphilis or HIV. Furthermore, there was no obvious association between M. genitalium infectionand vaginal douching, use of intra-uterine device (IUD), or occurrence of bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, or Trichomonas vaginalis .Conclusions The prevalence of M. genitalium among married women in Vietnam was relatively low. However, more large, well-designed and appropriately performed studies in other population groups including unmarried women and men, and in other geographical areas, rural as well as urban, are crucial in order to extract any evidence-based conclusions regarding the overall prevalence of STIs, including M. genitalium infections, in the Vietnamese society. The present study compiled with such future studies may form the basis for a national sexual health strategy for prevention, diagnosis, and surveillance of STIs, including M. genitalium infections, in Vietnam.
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| 20. |
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