Effect of treatment regimens for Neisseria gonorrhoeae on simultaneous infection with Chlamydia trachomatis

Child Opportunity Index at birth and asthma with recurrent exacerbations in the US ECHO program

Miller RL et al., 2025 · Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology · Free full text on PubMed Central

Children’s executive functioning and health behaviors across pediatric life stages and ecological contexts

Kelly NR et al., 2025 · J Behav Med · Free full text on PubMed Central

The association of prenatal dietary factors with child autism diagnosis and autism-related traits using a mixtures approach: Results from the ECHO Cohort

Bragg MG et al., 2025 · J Nutr · Free full text on PubMed Central

Previous research on the role of maternal diet in relation to autism has focused on examining individual nutrient associations. Few studies have examined associations with multiple nutrients using mixtures approaches, which may better reflect true exposure scenarios. To examine associations of nutrient mixtures with children's autism diagnosis and traits scores within a large, diverse population. Participants were drawn from the US Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) consortium. Maternal prenatal diet was reported via validated food frequency questionnaires. Children's autism-related traits were measured using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and autism diagnoses were from parent report of physician diagnosis. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was used to examine the overall mixture effect and interactions between a set of 5 primary nutrients (folate, vitamin D, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, and iron), adjusted for potential confounders, in relationship to child outcomes. Secondary analyses were conducted in a subset of cohorts with an expanded set of 14 nutrients. Traditional linear and logistic regression models were also run for comparison of results to mixture models. 2,614 participants drawn from 7 ECHO cohorts were included in primary analysis. Mixture analyses suggested that increasing the overall 5-nutrient mixture was associated with lower SRS scores. Individual U-shaped associations and bivariate interactions between folate and omega 3 fatty acids were suggested. In the subset included in the secondary analyses of the 14-nutrient mixture, a modest inverse trend remained, but individual nutrient associations were altered, with vitamin D demonstrating higher relative importance than other nutrients. Strong associations with autism diagnosis were not observed. In this large sample, we found evidence for combined nutrient effects with broader autism-related traits. Because results for individual nutrients were sensitive to mixture components, replication of combined associations between nutrients and autism-related outcomes is needed.

Patterns of menstrual disturbance in eating disorders

Poyastro Pinheiro A et al., 2007 · The International journal of eating disorders

To describe menstrual disturbance in eating disorders (ED). We describe menstrual history in 1,705 women and compare eating, weight, and psychopathological traits across menstrual groups. Menstrual dysfunction occurred across all eating disorder subtypes. Individuals with normal menstrual history and primary amenorrhea reported the highest and lowest lifetime body mass index (BMI), respectively. Normal menstruation and oligomenorrhea groups reported greater binge eating, vomiting, and appetite suppressant use. Amenorrhea was associated with lower caloric intake and higher exercise. Harm avoidance, novelty seeking, perfectionism, and obsessionality discriminated among menstrual status groups. No differences in comorbid Axis I and II disorders were observed. Menstrual dysfunction is not limited to any eating disorder subtype. BMI, caloric intake, and exercise were strongly associated with menstrual function. Menstrual status is not associated with comorbidity. Menstrual irregularity is an associated feature of all ED rather than being restricted to AN only.

Mollicutes in male infertility: is antibiotic therapy indicated?

Sanchez R et al., 1990 · Andrologia

Mollicutes are frequently isolated from sperma of infertile men. The potential effect on the fertility of mollicute infection is controversial as is antibiotic therapy. In our andrological patients, the prevalence of mollicutes is approximately 10%. To evaluate the benefit of antibiotic therapy, we investigated two groups of group 1-patients with positive or negative mollicute cultures and normal spermiogram; morphological changes on spermatozoa were particularly evaluated (n = 40); group 2 - patients with positive mollicute cultures treated with doxycycline or erythromycin. Sperm parameters were analysed before and after treatment (n = 20). When infected and non-infected sperma from group 1 were compared, the only difference found was an alteration of the sperm tail (p less than 0.005). Light microscopy and electron microscopy (EM) often revealed coiled tails which were probably due to adhesion of mollicutes (EM). The most frequently observed pathology in group 2 was found in patients with teratoasthenozoospermia. Compared with the post-therapy spermiogram, a significant difference was only observed in spermatozoal morphology (p less than 0.005). Therefore, we conclude that mollicutes produce important alterations in the human spermatozoal morphology, especially in the tail which appears in a spiral form. Since teratozoospermia is considered to be an important factor of infertility in man, antibiotic therapy is recommended in cases of mollicute involvement.

The treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease

Rees E, 1980 · Am J Obstet Gynecol

The treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease depends upon the etiology of the condition. Pelvic infection (PI) after parturition and abortion, gynecologic surgery, and a variety of invasive procedures is commonly associated with the isolation of anaerobic and aerobic flora of the vagina. The factors which influence the choice of antimicrobial treatment and the role of Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli are discussed. Sexually transmissible agents of importance are Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Pelvic infections associated with these pathogens require antibiotics which exert an optimum effect against them. Examination and treatment of the sexual partner(s) are important. The possible role of the anaerobic and aerobic vaginal flora as opportunistic secondary pathogens is discussed. Developments in the surgical treatment of the sequelae of PID are reviewed. The results of treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea in 262 women are reported. C. trachomatis was isolated from 53% of women before treatment. After treatment, PI developed in 11 women who had been given penicillin and in one woman who had been given tetracycline (P = 0.0071). It is suggested that recognition and treatment of postgonococcal cervicitis in women treated for uncomplicated gonorrhea with penicillin might provide one form of preventive treatment for nongonococcal PI.

Effects of hormonal contraception on vaginal flora

De Seta F et al., 2012 · Contraception

The sector of the market that deals with contraception offers a long list of different contraceptive methods. Within the estroprogestinic choice, the routes of administration are oral, transdermic and vaginal one. Even though efficacy is comparable with these methods, secondary and adverse effects are directly involved in the acceptability of the method. This was a prospective comparative study. During 1 year, we enrolled 60 asymptomatic women who voluntarily requested combined oral contraception (COC) or combined contraceptive vaginal ring (CCVR group). After a baseline study of vaginal milieu prior to starting hormonal contraception, we performed a follow-up. For each woman, we examined vaginal pH; quantification of leukocytes, lactobacilli, Candida and cocci on saline microscopy fluid; Gram stain with Nugent score and the presence of vaginal infection [culture for Trichomonas vaginalis, albicans and nonalbicans Candida, Group B Streptococcus (GBS)]. At the end of follow-up, there was a little change of vaginal milieu in both groups. We noted an increase of lactobacilli in the CCVR users and an increase of GBS in COC users. CCVR compared to COC users showed an increase of the number of lactobacilli in vaginal flora. It means that an increase of leukorrhea in that group could be protective in terms of prevention of vaginal imbalance/infection.

Update on the impact of Chlamydia trachomatis infection on male fertility

Gonzales GF et al., 2004 · Andrologia

With approximately 90 million cases annually, infection with Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial disease in the world. Considering that these infections are often asymptomatic and cause major complications like acute pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, infertility or infant pneumonia, the estimated costs for diagnosis and treatment in the USA amounts to 2.2 million US dollars for each 500 cases. Therefore, there is a high need for correct, quick and cost-effective diagnosis and treatment of this urogenital tract infection. New innovative therapies provide good results with regard to efficacy and patients' compliance. The success rates of treatments are at least 95%. However, the occurrence of antibiotic resistance should not be ignored and new treatment schemes must be developed. The state-of-the-art of diagnosis and treatment of chlamydial infections as well as the pathophysiology is discussed in this review. In conclusion, infections with C. trachomatis is an important public health problem, especially in third world and developing countries, and more socio-economic studies linking secondary prevention of chlamydial infections, infertility and adverse pregnancy outcome are needed to understand more of its aetiology. In addition, diagnosis and treatment should be improved. Data in men revealed that past infections but not present infections are more related to male infertility. There is still controversial results. In future studies, function of the seminal vesicles and evaluation of the antioxidant capacity should be taken into account when role of C. trachomatis infection on male fertility is assessed.