Immunological Markers of Infection in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.

Background/aim: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a risk factor for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Chlamydia trachomatis infection, a major cause of PID, may persist in some women. Serum IgG antibodies to chlamydial TroA and HtrA are more common in ascending or repeat chlamydial infection than in uncomplicated infection.

Liposomes-In-Hydrogel Delivery System Enhances the Potential of Resveratrol in Combating Vaginal Chlamydia Infection.

is the most common cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infections and causes serious reproductive tract complications among women. The limitations of existing oral antibiotics and treatment of antimicrobial resistance require alternative treatment options. We are proposing, for the first time, the natural polyphenol resveratrol (RES) in an advanced delivery system comprising liposomes incorporated in chitosan hydrogel, for the localized treatment of infection.

Sensitivity, specificity, inclusivity and exclusivity of the updated Aptima Combo 2 assay, which provides detection coverage of the new diagnostic-escape Chlamydia trachomatis variants.

Background: Four new variants of Chlamydia trachomatis (nvCTs), detected in several countries, cause false-negative or equivocal results using the Aptima Combo 2 assay (AC2; Hologic). We evaluated the clinical sensitivity and specificity, as well as the analytical inclusivity and exclusivity of the updated AC2 for the detection of CT and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) on the automated Panther system (Hologic).

Methods: We examined 1004 clinical AC2 samples and 225 analytical samples spiked with phenotypically and/or genetically diverse NG and CT strains, and other potentially cross-reacting microbial species.

Validation of an Aptima-format Finnish new variant of (FI-nvCT) surveillance assay, 2019.

The Finnish new variant of (FI-nvCT) is escaping diagnostics in Finland, Norway and Sweden. We have developed and validated an Aptima-format nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) designed specifically to detect the FI-nvCT. This NAAT has high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (100%) for the FI-nvCT strain, enabling further investigation of the geographic distribution, prevalence and transmission of this diagnostic-escape mutant in screening populations in Europe.

The Prevalence of HSV, HHV-6, HPV and in positive and Negative Urogenital Samples among Young Women in Finland.

, , herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) cause sexually transmitted infections. In addition, human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) may be a genital co-pathogen. The prevalence rates of HSV, HHV-6, HPV, , and the genotypes were investigated by PCR in urogenital samples of the nucleic acid amplification test positive (n = 157) and age-, community- and time-matched negative (n = 157) women.

Predictive Values of Serum TroA and HtrA IgG Antibodies as Markers of Persistent Infection in the Detection of Pelvic Adhesions and Tubal Occlusion.

IgG antibody testing (CAT) has been used as a screening test for tubal factor infertility (TFI), but as the CAT is only a marker of a past exposure to and not of late sequelae, the positive predictive value (PPV) of the test is low. The persistence of in the upper genital tract has been suggested as one of the key mechanisms in the development of TFI. Serum antibodies against TroA and HtrA, proteins expressed specifically during persistent infection, have been suggested as novel biomarkers for TFI diagnostics.

The Finnish New Variant of with a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the 23S rRNA Target Escapes Detection by the Aptima Combo 2 Test.

In 2019, more than 200 cases of negative/equivocal by the Aptima Combo 2 assay (AC2, target: 23S rRNA) with slightly elevated relative light units (RLUs), but positive by the Aptima assay (ACT, target: 16S rRNA) have been detected in Finland To identify the cause of the AC2 CT false-negative specimens, we sequenced parts of the CT 23S rRNA gene in 40 specimens that were AC2 negative/equivocal but ACT positive. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP; C1515T in the 23S rRNA gene) was revealed in 39 AC2/ACT discordant specimens. No decrease in the number of mandatorily notified cases was observed nationally in Finland in 2010-2019.

Finnish new variant of escaping detection in the Aptima Combo 2 assay also present in Örebro County, Sweden, May 2019.

We identified the first two cases of the Finnish new variant of (F-nvCT) beyond Finland in two clinical urogenital specimens in Örebro County, Sweden. These Aptima Combo 2 assay-negative specimens were Aptima (CT) assay positive and had the characteristic C1515T mutation in the 23S rRNA gene. From 22 March to 31 May 2019, 1.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae outbreak, Southeastern Finland, 2017-2018: molecular epidemiology and laboratory diagnostic lessons.

This study characterizes a large Mycoplasma pneumoniae outbreak observed in Kymenlaakso in Southeastern Finland during August 2017-January 2018. The first part of the investigation included 327 patients, who sought healthcare consultation at local GPs or hospitals due to clinical symptoms, and were tested for M. pneumoniae antibodies (Patient cohort).

samples testing falsely negative in the Aptima Combo 2 test in Finland, 2019.

Since February 2019, over 160 (CT) cases testing negative or equivocal by Aptima Combo 2 (AC2) but positive by Aptima CT test run with Panther instruments occurred in Finland. The AC2 test targets chlamydial 23S rRNA while the CT test targets 16S rRNA. Sequencing of 10 strains revealed a nucleotide substitution in 23S rRNA.

Transcriptional Expression of the , , and Genes of Clinical Isolates at Different Stages of the Developmental Cycle.

The transcriptional gene expression patterns of have mainly been studied using reference strains propagated in cultured cells. Here, using five low-passage-number clinical isolates that originated from asymptomatic or symptomatic female patients, the in vitro expression of the , , , and genes was studied with reverse transcriptase real-time PCR during the chlamydial developmental cycle. We observed dissimilarities in the gene expression patterns between the low-passage-number clinical isolates and the reference strains.

Detected during a Pneumonia Outbreak in Southeastern Finland, in 2017⁻2018.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common disease responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. However, the definite etiology of CAP often remains unresolved, suggesting that unknown agents of pneumonia remain to be identified. The recently discovered members of the order Chlamydiales, Chlamydia-related bacteria (CRB), are considered as possible emerging agents of CAP.

Correction: Hokynar, K. et al. Chlamydia-Like Organisms (CLOs) in Finnish Ixodes ricinus Ticks and Human Skin. Microorganisms 2016, 4, 28.

The authors wish to make the following modification to this paper [...

Predicting tubal factor infertility by using markers of humoral and cell-mediated immune response against Chlamydia trachomatis.

Problem: The accuracy of Chlamydia trachomatis antibody test in predicting tubal factor infertility (TFI) is limited, and more accurate methods are needed. Cell-mediated immune response (CMI) is crucial in the resolution of pathogen, but it may play an important role in the pathogenesis of C trachomatis-associated tubal damage. We studied whether combining the markers of C trachomatis-induced CMI to humoral immune response improves the accuracy of serology in TFI prediction.

Serum antibody response to Chlamydia trachomatis TroA and HtrA in women with tubal factor infertility.

Persistent genital chlamydial infection may lead to tubal factor infertility (TFI). Chlamydia trachomatis TroA and HtrA are proteins expressed during persistent chlamydial infection in vitro. We studied serum IgG antibody response against these proteins by EIA in women with TFI and in subfertile women without tubal pathology.

Chlamydia trachomatis-induced cell-mediated and humoral immune response in women with unexplained infertility.

Problem: What is the role of past Chlamydia trachomatis infection in unexplained infertility?

Method Of Study: This is a prospective study of the impact of past C. trachomatis infection on pregnancy rates in 96 women with unexplained infertility. Both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses (CMI) against C.

Prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium and mutations associated with macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance in Finland.

The aim was to examine the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium and to determine the prevalence of mutations leading to resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones in a sexually transmitted infection clinic setting in Finland, and as a service evaluation, to validate the performance of a commercial Aptima® Mycoplasma genitalium assay. Urogenital samples were studied for M. genitalium with an automated commercial Aptima® Mycoplasma genitalium assay on the Panther® system (Hologic), and with an in-house real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (mgpB).

Granuloma Annulare and Morphea: Correlation with Borrelia burgdorferi Infections and Chlamydia-related Bacteria.

A retrospective study of 109 skin biopsies with granuloma annulare (GA) or morphea histology from patients with suspected tick bite was performed. Biopsies were tested for cutaneous Borrelia burgdorferi DNA using PCR. The same biopsies were analysed for tick-borne novel agents, Chlamydia-related bacteria (members of the Chlamydiales order), using a PCR-based method.

Comprehensive global genome dynamics of show ancient diversification followed by contemporary mixing and recent lineage expansion.

is the world's most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection and leading infectious cause of blindness, yet it is one of the least understood human pathogens, in part due to the difficulties of in vitro culturing and the lack of available tools for genetic manipulation. Genome sequencing has reinvigorated this field, shedding light on the contemporary history of this pathogen. Here, we analyze 563 full genomes, 455 of which are novel, to show that the history of the species comprises two phases, and conclude that the currently circulating lineages are the result of evolution in different genomic ecotypes.

Evolution of acute infection with atypical bacteria in a prospective cohort of children with community-acquired pneumonia receiving amoxicillin.

Background: Atypical bacteria are treatable causative agents of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, there is no conclusive evidence that a child with CAP should receive empirical treatment against such agents.

Objectives: We assessed the possibility of association between clinical failure and acute infection by these bacteria among children with CAP treated with amoxicillin.