Microbiology Today magazine May 2003May 07, 2003The number of sexually transmitted infections (STI) is rising rapidly. This issue of Microbiology Today focuses on various aspects of the problem. The second National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal 2000), funded by the Medical Research Council, is the most recent data on sexual behaviour in Britain. This study confirmed that the there have been many changes in human sexual behaviour in the past decade. Behaviour and bacteria? (page56) Sexually transmitted bacterial infections are in the increase, with new infections reaching more than 1 million in England and Wales in 2000. With regards to the changing patterns of behaviour in both humans and bacteria, Catherine Ison and Iona Martin, from the Department of Infectious Disease & Microbiology at Imperial College London, discuss the current treatments and prevention strategies. When is an STD not an STD? (page 58) Since it was linked to cervical cancer about 20 years ago, interest in human papillomavirus (HPV) has increased. This is not surprising, as cervical cancer is the second-most common form of cancer in women worldwide. Certain types of HPV are found in 99 % of cervical cancers, and Heather Cubie argues that HPV testing may be more effective than cytological screening programmes in spotting the disease. Chlamydia trachomatis is bad for your sperm! (page 61) There are several causes of infertility in humans, which can affect up to 15 % of couples during their lives, and micro-organisms are just one. Adrian Eley describes how the fertility of both men and women can be affected by chlamydia. The changing face of HIV infection (page 63) The HIV pandemic is now a global crisis, with virtually every country having its own epidemic. The extent of morbidity and mortality caused by HIV does not compare to any other sexually transmitted infection. Philip Mortimer and Barry Evans, of the Health Protection Agency, discuss the increased incidence of HIV in the UK, as well as measures for the control and prevention of infection. Other aspects of sex that do not relate to humans are covered:- Bacterial sex (page 66) Sex allows the counteraction of the build up of harmful mutations as well as helping to increase the genetic variations that permit adaptation and evolution. Bacteria have a number of methods that allow them to exchange genetic information, which offer them some of the advantages of sex. Chris Thomas explains the transfer of genetic material from one bacterium to another. A new dimension to sex wars (page 68) Most parasitic microbes don't care which sex they infect. However, there is a group of micro-organisms that prefer female hosts to male, as transfer of the parasite to offspring occurs through the female's eggs. To promote their continued existence, the microbes have developed a number of strategies that favour females, including feminisation, induction of asexual reproduction and assassination of males. Mike Majerus discusses the impact these parasitic microbes have on the lives of some insects. Society for General Microbiology |
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| Related Cervical Cancer Current Events and Cervical Cancer News Articles 1 disease, not 1 demographic The Asian continent has nearly four billion people living in 47 different countries, and each of these groups has their own unique set of health issues. But when they come to the United States, they're often lumped into one large demographic: "Asian/Pacific Islander." Alternatively spliced tissue factor identified as promising new biomarker for aggressive cancers A recently discovered form of the protein that triggers blood clotting may play a key role in the molecular mechanisms leading to the growth of certain metastatic cancers, according to new research reported by an international team of scientists. M. D. Anderson redefines screening guidelines for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers Drawing on years of experience in cancer research and patient care, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center released today the most comprehensive, risk-based screening guidelines publicly available to date for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers. Study finds delay in follow-up among African-American women receiving abnormal breast finding A new analysis has identified a significant delay in follow-up times among African-American women after the finding of a suspicious breast abnormality. UIC study finds girls aware of HPV vaccine's benefits Contrary to concerns that the human papillomavirus vaccine might promote promiscuity, a national survey of girls and young women found that the majority of respondents did not believe the HPV vaccine protected them against other sexually transmitted infections. Scientists identify common HPV genotypes in northern India, encourage vaccination Although a wide spectrum of human papillomavirus is seen across the population of India, HPV-16 and HPV-18 are the most common types and a vaccination targeting these types could eliminate 75 percent of the cervical cancers in the region. Vaccinating boys against human papillomavirus not cost-effective Persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus, is known to be a cause of cervical cancer. Vaccination and testing for the human papilloma virus could eradicate cervical cancer Cervical cancer could be eradicated within the next 50 years if countries implement national screening programmes based on detection of the human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes the disease, together with vaccination programmes against the virus, according to a cervical cancer screening expert. Targeted heat therapy offers new standard treatment option for soft tissue sarcoma Patients with soft-tissue sarcomas at high risk of spreading were 30% more likely to be alive and cancer free almost three years after starting treatment if their tumours were heated at the time they received chemotherapy, according to new research. Even in a safety net health system, colorectal cancer screening disparities remain Colorectal cancer screening rates are much lower among those in a safety net health system compared to the national average, and the number one predictor of screening is a combination of regular visits and insurance access. More Cervical Cancer Current Events and Cervical Cancer News Articles |
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