Placental malaria infection is associated with downregulation of STAT-6 and ANG-1 in decidual macrophages.

Introduction: Macrophages play a crucial immunological role in maintaining pregnancy. Placental malaria infection may cause dysfunction in decidual macrophages which then culminates in the associated pregnancy complications. Here, we determined the influence of placental malaria on decidual macrophages, by assessing their distribution based on their unique phenotypes, and examining their expression levels of transcription factors as well as angiogenic factors, in placentas from women living in a malaria-endemic area.

Do vaginal microbicides reduce the risk of HIV acquisition in women?

Currently, no single HIV prevention method meets the needs of all people at risk of infection and a range of options are needed for individuals to protect themselves and to curb the HIV epidemic. Many people living with HIV or at risk for HIV infection in low and middle-income countries do not have access to prevention, treatment and care, and there is still no cure. Despite large preventive efforts, HIV acquisition rates remain unacceptably high and transmission mainly occurs through heterosexual intercourse, where women are significantly more vulnerable to infection than men.

Baboon vaginal microbial flora.

Background: Knowledge of the composition of vaginal microbial ecosystem is essential for understanding the etiology, prevention, and treatment of vaginal diseases. A baboon model has been used to provide detailed understanding of reproductive physiology and immunology applicable to women. However, little is known about the composition of its vaginal microbial ecosystem.

Harnessing microbiome and probiotic research in sub-Saharan Africa: recommendations from an African workshop.

To augment capacity-building for microbiome and probiotic research in Africa, a workshop was held in Nairobi, Kenya, at which researchers discussed human, animal, insect, and agricultural microbiome and probiotics/prebiotics topics. Five recommendations were made to promote future basic and translational research that benefits Africans.

Vaginal microbicides for reducing the risk of sexual acquisition of HIV infection in women: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Each year more than two million people are newly infected with HIV worldwide, a majority of them through unprotected vaginal sex. More than half of new infections in adults occur in women. Male condoms and male circumcision reduce the risk of HIV acquisition; but the uptake of these methods is out of the control of women.

Topical microbicides for prevention of sexually transmitted infections.

Background: Two decades of research on topical microbicides for prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have had limited success. However, new microbicide randomised controlled trial (RCT) data have recently been published; but these have not yet been the subject of a systematic review.

Objectives: To determine the effects of topical microbicides for prevention of the acquisition of STIs, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, by women from men and by men who have sex with men (MSM).