Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Research Publications

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    Genetic aberrations detected by comparative genomic hybridisation in vulvar cancers
    Allen, D ; Hutchins, AM ; Hammet, F ; White, DJ ; Scurry, J ; Tabrizi, S ; Garland, SM ; Armes, JE (SPRINGERNATURE, 2002-03-18)
    Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva is a disease of significant clinical importance, which arises in the presence or absence of human papillomavirus. We used comparative genomic hybridisation to document non-random chromosomal gains and losses within human papillomavirus positive and negative vulvar cancers. Gain of 3q was significantly more common in human papillomavirus-positive cancers compared to human papillomavirus-negative cancers. The smallest area of gain was 3q22-25, a chromosome region which is frequently gained in other human papillomavirus-related cancers. Chromosome 8q was more commonly gained in human papillomavirus-negative compared to human papillomavirus-positive cancers. 8q21 was the smallest region of gain, which has been identified in other, non-human papillomavirus-related cancers. Chromosome arms 3p and 11q were lost in both categories of vulvar cancer. This study has demonstrated chromosome locations important in the development of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. Additionally, taken together with previous studies of human papillomavirus-positive cancers of other anogenital sites, the data indicate that one or more oncogenes important in the development and progression of human papillomavirus-induced carcinomas are located on 3q. The different genetic changes seen in human papillomavirus-positive and negative vulvar squamous cell carcinomas support the clinicopathological data indicating that these are different cancer types.
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    Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis and human papillomavirus) in female attendees of a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
    Garland, SM ; Tabrizi, SN ; Chen, S ; Byambaa, C ; Davaajav, K (Hindawi Limited, 2001)
    BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data suggest that the prevalence of syphilis, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis has increased in both urban and rural areas of Mongolia. These data are primarily substantiated by notifications of cases of clinically apparent disease in both rural and urban areas, plus laboratory diagnoses from the AIDS/STD Reference Center, Ulaanbaatar. In the past 5 years, however, there has been a marked decline in the total number of patients being screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). An assessment of true prevalence of STIs in a female population attending an urban sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic was therefore commenced. METHODS: Consecutive women attending an STD clinic in Ulaanbaatar had genital samples collected by the insertion and immediate removal of a tampon, which was then tested for the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, human papillomavirus (HPV) and Trichomonas vaginalis, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. RESULTS: A total of 110 women were studied (mean age 26.7 years). Overall, 58 (53%) patients had one or more pathogens identified; 43 (39%) had a single pathogen, while 15 (14%) had mixed pathogens. C. trachomatis was found in 15 (14%), N. gonorrhoeae in 12 (11%), T. vaginalis in nine (8%) and HPV in 39 (36%). Among the 39 HPV-positive patients, oncogenicgenotypes (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52) were found in 17(44%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Sexually transmitted infections as defined by PCR were common, and found in 53% of female attendees of an urban STD clinic in Mongolia. As infections with conventional STIs increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, it is imperative that strategies be introduced to reduce the prevalence of STIs. Furthermore, detection of oncogenic HPV was common, indicating that it is vital that a strategy to reduce cervical cancer such as a pre-cancer cervical cytology screening program also be introduced.