Sexually-Transmitted Viral Diseases in Women: Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects and Advances in Laboratory Diagnosis Álvaro Piazzetta Pinto1, Hugo César Cardoso Baggio2 Pathology Department1 and Radiology Department2,and Guilherme Barroso Guedes3 Teaching Hospital of the Federal University of Paraná3;School of Medicine, Federal University of Paraná;Curitiba, PR, BrazilSexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have long been known, but they have only recently been recognized as causes of significant long-term morbidity, mainly as a result of increased knowledge concerning viral STDs. The relationship of these diseases with conditions such as anogenital cancer and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has made viral STDs an important issue in the healthcare of women and infants, and in reproductive health. The evolution of the AIDS pandemic is now characterized by growing differences between rich and poor nations. New diagnostic tools include rapid tests of blood, urine and saliva samples. New techniques, such as computerized cytology, have been developed for the diagnosis of human papillomavirus (HPV). Women infected with HIV are at a greater risk of being co-infected with HPV, and they are also more prone to the progression and persistence of HPV lesions. The herpes simplex virus presents high rates of co-infection with HIV, and it plays a particularly important role in increasing transmission rates of this virus. Key Words: Sexually-transmitted diseases, viral; HIV; human papillomavirus; herpes simplex virus.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have long been
as well as reproductive health. The medical diagnosis
known to cause acute pathological syndromes, such
of STDs, AIDS, and genital cancer is currently a
as genital secretion and ulceration. However, they only
fundamental element of women’s healthcare [1].
recently have come to be considered significant causes
Our capacity to diagnose STDs increased following
of long-term morbidity. This is principally due to the
the introduction of tests based on the amplification of
large amount of information that has been collected
nucleic acids. These tests were initially developed for
over the past 20 years on a group of agents that cause
the diagnosis of viral STDs and are particularly useful
these diseases: the viruses. After the association between
for this purpose. They present high sensitivity, and they
virus and anogenital cancer was established, and
permit the use of non-invasive specimens, such as urine
following the emergence of the first cases of Acquired
and vaginal tissue, self-collected by the patients.
Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), viral STDs
Although the number of false results obtained with this
began to be recognized as important diseases that
technology has been low, there has been some
influence the health of women and breastfeeding infants,
reluctance to substitute traditional methods for this new
Received on 15 December 2004; revised 19 June 2005.
methodology. One negative aspect is the high cost [2].
Address for correspondence: Dr. Álvaro Piazzetta Pinto.
Our objective was to identify and describe the principal
Departamento de Patologia, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidade
viral STDs, and to examine epidemiological factors and
Federal do Paraná. Rua General Carneiro 181, Curitiba, PR,
the relationship that exists between the different viruses.
Brazil. Zip code: 80069-900. E-mail: [email protected].
Finally, we examined the diagnostic methods
Telephone: (55 41) 224 79 88 / FAX: (55 41) 324 46 84.
traditionally used for their detection, as well as more
The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases 2005;9(3):241-250
2005 by The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases and
Among the many sexually transmitted diseases
Contexto Publishing. All rights reserved.
caused by viruses, the principal STDs are AIDS (human
Sexually-Transmitted Viral Diseases in Women
immunodeficiency virus – HIV), genital warts,
population [6]; b) a spontaneous change in behavior in
intraepithelial lesions and genital squamous cell
certain segments of the population [6]; c) the impact of
carcinomas (human papillomavirus – HPV), and herpes
different prevention initiatives by governmental and non-
(herpes simplex virus – HSV-2 and HSV-1) (Table
governmental organizations, and d) the use of HAART,
which is readily available in our country [7]. Nevertheless, this relative deceleration of the spread
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
of the epidemic is not homogenous, both with respectto the different geographical regions of the country and
Almost 50 million people worldwide have been
to the affected segments of the population [8]. The
infected by HIV, and 12-13 million children have been
speed of expansion has decreased among men in large
made orphans by AIDS. Twenty years after its
cities and in the southeast part of the country [9]. More
discovery, the HIV pandemic continues to evolve in
recently, an increase has been seen in south Brazil, not
magnitude and diversity, and it is currently a global public
only in the rate of AIDS cases registered but also in the
health problem [3,4]. The distribution of AIDS cases
number of cases resulting from heterosexual
is characterized by a widening gap between the rich
transmission. There has been dissemination of the
nations of North America and Europe and the poor
epidemic from the large urban centers to the rural areas
nations of Africa, Asia and Latin America [3]. An
[10]. The AIDS epidemic in Brazil began among
important reduction in the number of new cases,
individuals of highly educated social groups and
morbidity and mortality from AIDS has been seen in
continuously progressed to lower socioeconomic level
the US and Western Europe, as a result of the use of
groups [11]. Irrespective of the focus, one constant
high-cost, intensive therapies, principally HAART
finding of such studies is that certain segments of the
(highly active antiretroviral therapy). However, new
population, such as injectable-drug users and
HIV infections continue to occur every year at a constant
women, continue to be disproportionately affected
rate in these same countries. Moreover, there is
by the epidemic [8,10,11]. Women also tend to die
evidence of an increase in high-risk behavior in certain
younger than men; this hold true in all regions of the
populations, indicating failure in primary prevention.
However, the vast majority of new infections still occur
Women are the segment of the AIDS population
in developing countries. While the two giants, India and
with the fastest growth rate. Maternal-fetal transmission
China, are beginning to provide Asia’s ultimate
and the high mortality and morbidity of the disease in
contribution to the pandemic, the situation in Africa is
children are additional reasons for strengthening efforts
the most desperate, with epidemics rapidly growing in
to combat AIDS in women. When the virus is
various countries in the south and eastern parts of the
diagnosed in pregnant patients, treatment (zidovudine)
continent, affecting all levels of African society. In these
reduces the risk of maternal-fetal transmission by two-
countries, expansion of the epidemic is not decreasing,
thirds [13]. Diagnosis is generally made late, since the
and there are devastating effects on communities,
first signs and symptoms of the disease are subtle. They
families and individuals [4]. The development of a
include vaginal infections, abnormal cervical/vaginal
vaccine, seen as an essential step towards control of
cytology examinations, and other STDs with unusual
the epidemic, is complicated by the genetic diversity of
clinical courses that are severe, recurrent or resistant
the virus and the inability of the immune system to
to treatment [14]. The traditional diagnosis, which
includes serological screening by enzymatic
In Brazil, AIDS, and its associated diseases, have
immunoassay (ELISA), is followed by a second
spread more slowly in recent years [5]. This is probably
confirmatory ELISA. A more specific, definitive
due to a combination of factors: a) saturation of the
diagnosis is reached using the Western Blotting
higher risk segments, i.e. relative lack of a susceptible
Sexually-Transmitted Viral Diseases in Women
Table 1. Virology of the principal agents of viral STDS Virus Family Genetic material Size of virion Target cells
Monocytes / macrophagesMicroglia / MGC of SNCLangerhan’s cells
HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; HPV: human papilloma virus; HSV: herpes simplex virus; DNA: desoxyribonucleicacid; RNA: ribonucleic acid; MGC: multinuclear giant cells; SNC: central nervous system.
immunofluorescence assay (IFA) has also been found
Viral load tests and genotyping are used to select
to be efficient as a definitive test [15]. While ELISA
and evaluate therapeutic options. The use of these tests
measures antibodies against one or more proteins of
and other viral detection tests for diagnosis should be
the viral envelope, and can give false-positive results,
limited to situations in which serology is not definitive,
Western Blot measures the presence of antibodies
such as in cases of neonatal infection or acute HIV
against each of the viral antigens, including the core
infection, since these tests are less accurate than
protein (p24). Together, the serological tests have a
>99.3% sensitivity andt99.7% specificity [16].
When rapid AIDS tests first began to be used in the
1980s, and at the beginning of the 90s [17], theyprovoked much controversy [18-21]. In more recent
Genital warts, or condylomata acuminate (clinical
times, the debate has been renewed [22]. Rapid testing
form of the disease), are small papillary projections
and self-testing have become widespread in some
that generally occur on the vulva or in the vagina. They
countries such as the US [23] and have been banned
are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a highly
in others, such as Germany [24]. These tests include
infectious agent. Many individuals exposed to HPV
the detection of antibodies in drops of blood, urine [23]
develop flat lesions (subclinical form of the disease)
instead of visible warts. These lesions most often affect
Rapid testing has a high sensitivity and is sufficient
the cervix, are called intraepithelial lesions and are
to confirm the absence of infection outside the
considered precursors of squamous cell carcinoma.
immunological window period. Its specificity is t 98.9%
More commonly, the genetic viral material installs itself
and requires supplementary serological testing to
in the mucosa, and it remains there for years without
confirm diagnosis [29-31]. These tests are extremely
causing any lesion (latent form of the disease).
useful in situations requiring fast detection of infection,
HPV is a circular, double-stranded DNA virus of
such as following occupational exposure.
the Papovaviridae family, with approximately 8,000
Saliva testing uses the same antibody detection
base pairs. More than 70 types of HPV have been
methods as serological testing (ELISA, Western Blot).
identified. Among these, approximately 30 affect the
The agreement of results is quite high, permitting this
genital mucosa, are transmitted sexually and are related
method to be used as an alternative to serology [25].
to the above-mentioned lesions. Types 6, 11, 42, 43
Sexually-Transmitted Viral Diseases in Women
and 44 cause low risk lesions for malignancy, while
substituting cytotechnicians for computers [49]. Finally,
types 16, 18, 45 and 56 are associated with high-risk
following a trend currently observed with other STDS,
lesions and are also referred to as oncogenic.
a study has reported adequately sensitive HPV
Nevertheless, the mere presence of a high-risk form of
molecular detection in self-collected vaginal, vulvar and
HPV is not in itself sufficient to trigger the carcinogenic
urine samples [50]. We found a sensitivity of from 45
process. Co-factors, such as immunosuppression,
to 86% and a specificity of 54% to 70% in self-
tabagism, micro-traumas, nutritional and hormonal
collected samples, compared to 98% sensitivity and
factors, number of sexual partners and a history of
52% specificity with physician-collected cervical
infections (vaginosis, herpes simplex, etc.) have to be
present [33]. The progression and natural course ofcervical disease are still not fully understood [34].
The Papanicolaou test is a morphological screening
method for viral infections and its consequent
Systemic and local cellular immunity are factors of
intraepithelial lesions [35]. Colposcopy permits
extreme importance in HPV infection and its
visualization of the lesions and histopathology allows a
manifestations [51]. In fact, immunosuppressed women
definitive diagnosis to be made. Techniques for the
have a high risk of developing intraepithelial and invasive
amplification and hybridization of nucleic acids have
squamous cell neoplasia of the lower genital tract [33].
been used since 1980 for the detection, typing and
This group includes patients who have been submitted
quantification of viral load [36]. Indications for their
to organ transplant, patients with Hodgkin’s disease,
use include low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions
those being treated with immunosuppressive therapy
(LGSIL), which in 30% of cases are associated with
in general, and HIV-positive women [33].
oncogenic types of HPV, and lesions that are difficult
The HIV-HPV interaction is particularly important,
to characterize by cytology (ASCUS – atypical
since the two viruses are sexually transmitted, placing
squamous cells of undetermined significance) [37].
high-risk populations in contact, making co-infection
Although molecular biology techniques, such as
common [33]. A study carried out in São Paulo showed
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) [38-40] and hybrid
a high prevalence of high-risk HPV infection (34.8%)
capture (HC) [41-43], present high sensitivity and
and of high-grade intraepithelial lesions. Two or more
specificity for HPV detection and are frequently used
subtypes of HPV were found in 45% of the patients
as quality controls for the other techniques, the use of
[52]. Case-control studies have shown HIV infection
these methods for screening purposes is still not
to be an independent risk factor for HPV, both in its
accepted. The high cost and the small increase in
latent and clinical forms [33]. These results reinforce
sensitivity gained when this method is added to cytology
the need for regular gynecological follow-up of HIV-
are the principal justifications for not using molecular
positive patients to ensure early diagnosis of preinvasive
methods as a screening tool [44-47]. Other adjuvant
lesions and for the prevention of cervical cancer.
methods of cytology are being developed and improved
Invasive cervical cancer and its precursors are the
in parallel with these methods; however their
most important gynecological manifestation of HIV
development has been less emphasized. Such methods
infection [53]. Infection by this virus is related to an
include macroscopic inspection of the cervix,
increase in prevalence (2-3 times greater) and
cervicography and colposcopy [48]. Liquid phase
persistence (7 times greater) of HPV infection.
cytology has led to an improvement in the quality of
Persistence of HPV infection is known to be important
the material collected and has offered the possibility of
in the development and progression of cervical
associating cytological and molecular methods in the
intraepithelial lesions, and this is one of the factors that
same sample. Meanwhile, computerized cytology has
may explain the higher occurrence rate of these lesions
improved the quality of cytological scrutiny by
in HIV-positive patients [54-59]. HIV-positive women
Sexually-Transmitted Viral Diseases in Women
have a 3-5 times greater risk of developing intraepithelial
detected in approximately 15% of herpetic genital
lesions [53,57,60] and a 3-4.5 times greater risk of
infections. Since the seventies, the prevalence of HSV-
developing invasive neoplasia [53,60]. In a study carried
2 infection has been steadily increasing; this problem
out by Ellerbrock [53], 328 HIV-positive women and
has become a public health issue in recent years, even
325 HIV-negative women, followed up for a mean of
during the “HIV decade” [62]. One recent study on
30 months, 20% of the HIV-positive women and 5%
the prevalence of HSV-2 infection in middle-aged
of the HIV-negative women developed intraepithelial
Brazilian women found 42% seropositivity [63].
Carvalho et al. [64] found varying prevalence rates
Various studies have shown that HIV-positive
according to the subpopulation studied: 6.9% of
patients with low CD + lymphocyte counts have greater
students evaluated, 22.6% of pregnant women and
viral loads (copy count twice as high for patients with
53.1% of the individuals with sexually transmitted
CD + < 200 cells/PL) [33,61] and a greater persistence
diseases presented antibodies to HSV-2. They also
of HPV infection [54], as well as a higher prevalence
reported low occurrence of recognized symptoms in
of low, intermediate, and high-grade cervical
intraepithelial lesions [55,58,61]. The prevalence of
Primary infection with HSV-2 lasts around three
persistent infection by subtypes of high grade HPV also
weeks, and during this period the virus is released from
appears to be significantly greater in HIV-positive
the lesions [65]. This infection may be asymptomatic
or mild; it presents systemic symptoms in around 70%
Studies have shown that co-infection with HIV is
of cases, pain and localized pruritus in 98%, dysuria in
also a risk factor for the other neoplasias for which
63%, and painful lymphadenopathy in 80% [66].
HPV is a co-factor. According to a study carried out
Locally, the infection appears in the form of painful
by Frisch [60], HIV-positive patients have a greater
mucocutaneous, vesicular and ulcerative lesions,
relative risk of developing intraepithelial lesions of the
situated on the outer genitalia or cervix [65,66]. This
vulva and vagina (RR 3.9), anus (RR 7.8 for women
clinical condition and the resulting complications tend
and 60.1 for men) and penis (RR 6.9). Similar results
to be more severe in women, in whom they are
were found for invasive neoplasias of the vulva and
frequently associated with unbearable pain [65].
vagina (RR 5.8), anal canal (RR 6.8 in women and
Complications arising from the primary infection include
37.9 in men), penis (RR 3.7), tonsils (RR 2.6) and
aseptic meningitis (in up to 25% of women), sacral
radiculomyelitis and neuralgias [65]. According to a
It is still not clear whether the HIV-HPV interaction
study carried out by Lafferty, the recurrence rate of
is related directly or indirectly to the immunosuppression
genital infections caused by HSV-2 is 33% per month,
caused by HIV. Co-infection does not occur in the
in contrast with 0.1% recurrence in the case of orolabial
cervix; however, molecular interactions do occur
between the two viruses. They are therefore probably
Recurring episodes are milder and of shorter
caused by extracellular factors [33]. The increase in
duration (7-10 days) than the first infection and are
HPV gene expression in HIV-positive women may be
characterized by the presence of vesicular and
due to interactions involving the HIV-1-trans-activating
ulcerative lesions on an erythematous base, or by local
(Tat-1) protein and the p97 HPV 16 promoter protein,
irritation only. The virus is released from these lesions
leading to reversal of HPV E2 gene repression [33].
The virus is most frequently transmitted by
symptomatic patients but transmission may also occur insymptomless patients [68]. Two other factors aggravate
The herpes simplex-2 virus (HSV-2) is a
the control of the disease: the facts that antiviral therapy
predominantly genital pathogen; while HSV-1 is
does not completely eliminate the virus and that condoms
Sexually-Transmitted Viral Diseases in Women
are not totally effective in prevention since the herpes
virus frequently affects the outer genitalia.
Cytopathology of exfoliated cells may permit
The prevalence of HSV infection is considerably
diagnosis, but this depends on adequate sample
higher in HIV-positive patients. Santos et al. found
collection and the evolutive phase of the lesion. General
73% positivity for HSV-2 in serological testing of HIV-
sensitivity of this method is around 60-70% [65].
positive patients in Brazil [77], a finding that is similar
Enzymatic serological tests for HSV antibodies
to data from studies carried out in other countries [78-
(ELISA) have been available for many years, but they
80]. These data reflect the behavioral risk factors
present low sensitivity and specificity and have
common to infection by the two viruses.
traditionally rarely been used to define treatment of
According to various studies, genital ulceration, of
infected patients. The time required for serological
which HSV is the most common cause, is an important
diagnosis is longer than that available for the initiation
risk factor for the acquisition and transmission of HIV
of treatment [65]. The definitive epidemiological test
and contributes towards the dissemination of this virus
has been the Western Blot; however, this is generally
[77,81-85]. Telzak et al. reported that patients with
only available in research institutes and is very expensive
genital ulceration have a three-fold greater risk of
[69]. Recently, new serological tests for specific
acquiring HIV than a similar population without
antibodies for HSV-1 and HSV-2 have become
ulceration [86]. A study carried out by Latif et al. in
commercially available [70-72]. These tests have made
Zimbabwe in serodiscordant couples (only one member
it possible to identify the infection in symptomatic as
of the couple was HIV-positive) showed that the HIV-
well as in asymptomatic patients [73].
negative partners of HIV-positive individuals who had
Cultures positive for HSV from the contents of
genital ulceration had a five-fold greater risk of
the vesicula or the edges of the ulcers is considered
acquiring HIV than did HIV-negative partners of
the traditional definitive diagnostic method. However,
individuals with no ulceration [87].
diagnosis by this method requires 7-28 days and has
The explanation of how genital herpes serves as a
been shown to underestimate the number of patients
co-factor in HIV contagion does not appear to be
infected. The sensitivity of this method is around 50%
limited to the simple idea of continuity determined by
and is higher during the primary infection than during
the herpetic infection that would serve as an entry or
recurring episodes. During recurrences, samples
exit route for HIV. There is evidence supporting an
should preferentially be collected in the vesicular
increase in HIV expression in the mucosa during
phase, not when lesions are crusted [74]. Moreover,
reactivation of HSV [88]. The migration of CD +
most patients who are seropositive according to
lymphocytes to the infection site may be one of the
Western Blot are unaware of their symptoms
factors responsible [89]. Activation of these
(unrecognized infection), or they present subclinical
lymphocytes previously infected by HIV leads to a
infection and do not undergo culture [69]. Diagnostic
greater replication of the former virus in response to
technology examining nucleic acids has also proved
the HSV infection [90]. During reactivation, as well as
to be viable for the detection and typing of HSV and
stimulating the CD + lymphocytes, some HSV proteins
may be able to substitute culture as the definitive
seem to trans-activate the long terminal repeat of HIV,
method [75,76]. The molecular method presents an
increasing replication [91-92]. In a study by Schacker
increase in sensitivity of up to 30% compared to
et al., HIV RNA was detected in 25/26 episodes of
standard virological methods (detection of antigen by
HSV reactivation, in independent titers of the HIV
immunofluorescence followed by isolation and culture)
plasmatic viral load [90]. According to Heng et al., the
[76], but it has still not been proven to be cost-
HSV infection enabled replication of HIV in the
effective, except for the detection of the virus in spinal
keratinocytes, which are cells normally not infected by
fluid, for which it is the method of choice [65].
HIV because of the absence of CD markers on their
Sexually-Transmitted Viral Diseases in Women
surface [93]. In this same study, potentialization of the
de Oliveira for her support in organizing data for
replication of HSV in the presence of HIV was seen.
this manuscript. This study was carried out at the
These findings, taken together, may explain the
Pathology Department of the Teaching Hospital,
greater risk of HIV transmission in patients co-infected
Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
with HSV. Although the use of preservatives isapparently not totally efficient in preventing HSVtransmission, condom use makes HIV transmission
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DELHI ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES.PVT.LTD Refractive Index of cornea is about : Vomiting center is situated in the : The fibre which is the thickest in human nerve is : A twitch of motor unit is called: The function of the neocerebellum is : b. Servo-correction of voluntary movements c. Planning and programming of voluntary In a male newborn the adrenogneital syndrome ( co
KEEPING HEALTHY AROUND THE FLU We know there are many questions and concerns, and here are some answers and guidelines… (Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; University Health Service) Know the signs and symptoms of flu. Symptoms include fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or greater, plus cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, chi