Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, University at Buffalo, New York.
Published: December 2013
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Gonorrhea remains one of the most frequent infectious diseases, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae is emerging as resistant to most available antibiotics, yet it does not induce a state of specific protective immunity against reinfection. Our recent studies have demonstrated that N. gonorrhoeae proactively suppresses host T-helper (Th) 1/Th2-mediated adaptive immune responses, which can be manipulated to generate protective immunity. Here we show that intravaginally administered interleukin 12 (IL-12) encapsulated in sustained-release polymer microspheres significantly enhanced both Th1 and humoral immune responses in a mouse model of genital gonococcal infection. Treatment of mice with IL-12 microspheres during gonococcal challenge led to faster clearance of infection and induced resistance to reinfection, with the generation of gonococcus-specific circulating immunoglobulin G and vaginal immunoglobulin A and G antibodies. These results suggest that local administration of microencapsulated IL-12 can serve as a novel therapeutic and prophylactic strategy against gonorrhea, with implications for the development of an effective vaccine.
Background: Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to increase in the United States. Despite evidence of the effectiveness of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (Doxy-PEP) to prevent STIs, little is known about providers' attitudes and willingness to implement Doxy-PEP.
Methods: An online questionnaire was sent to 575 clinical providers in New York State in September 2022.
Background: The Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project (GISP) was established to monitor antimicrobial resistance (AR) in N. gonorrhoeae in the United States. Isolates collected in GISP undergo antimicrobial susceptibility testing allowing for estimates of resistance, based on exceeding minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), to be calculated.
Gonococcal keratoconjunctivitis (GKC) is an aggressive infection caused by , which can cause an acute, dreadful, ulcerative keratitis resulting in blindness if left untreated. We report a rare case of bilateral GKC complicated with left eye corneal perforation. A 20-year-old male presented with bilateral eye purulent discharge associated with vision loss over the left eye for two weeks prior to presentation.
Objective: There is a lack of data regarding the incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy among adolescents experiencing sex trafficking. This study aimed to determine the incidence proportion of STIs and pregnancy among adolescents evaluated for sex trafficking at an urban tertiary children's hospital compared to the community adolescent population.
Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study looked at adolescents aged 11 to 21 years experiencing sex trafficking from March 2019 to March 2022.
Neisseria meningitidis is a common commensal bacterium of the nasopharynx that can cause invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). In comparison, N. gonorrhoeae is always a pathogen usually limited to mucosal sites.
