Acta Microbiol. Hell., Volume 70, Issue 3 (September 2025) – 4 articles

Trichomonas vaginalis infection (TVI) is the most common curable sexually transmitted infection (STI). In this study, we aimed to assess the performances of different tests for TVI diagnosis in symptomatic Greek women, evaluating the TVI prevalence rate (PR) in Greece and comparing the latter with TVI-PR estimates from Europe. A laboratory-based cross-sectional analysis and a meta-analysis were conducted. Of 399 symptomatic Greek women, 17 had TVI, corresponding to a TVI-PR of 4.3%. The commercial nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) achieved a sensitivity of 94.1%, which was 6% higher than the sensitivity of the culture method, 35% higher than that of the wet mount test, and 59% higher than that of the Giemsa stain test. The wet mount test achieved the lowest positive predictive value of 76.9%. All the tests had high specificity levels and negative predictive values. Data from 34 European TVI-PR studies in symptomatic women were pooled. The TVI-PR established in our study was similar to the TVI-PR estimates of 4.8% in Europe and 4.5% in Greece, with the second being higher than those of 2.1% in Northwestern Europe and 1.5% in Southern Europe but closer to that of 6.7% in Türkiye. In Greece, a European country with a relatively high TVI-PR among symptomatic women, the highly sensitive and specific, automated, point-of-care NAAT would facilitate rapid, accurate TVI diagnosis and the treatment of this target population to meet the WHO’s goal of ending STI epidemics by 2030. Full article

Beta-thalassemia major is an inherited disorder that requires lifelong blood transfusions, with the risk of complications including poor oral health and dental caries. The objective of this study was to compare the oral microbiome diversity and composition in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients and relate it to oral hygiene and dental caries. A cross-sectional analysis of 35 patients of beta-thalassemia major aged 6–18 years was performed. The status of oral hygiene was examined through the Oral Hygiene Index—Simplified (OHI-S) and Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Saliva was taken for DNA extraction, followed by the 16S rRNA sequencing of V3-V4 hypervariable regions. The bioinformatics pipeline in QIIME2 was utilized for analyzing the comparison of microbial composition and diversity in groups of varying oral hygiene status and severity of caries. Metagenomic analysis revealed 3334 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs), of which the most prevalent genera were Streptococcus, Haemophilus, Veillonella, Rothia, and Prevotella. High-oral-hygiene groups presented increased levels of cariogenic bacteria, while moderate-oral-hygiene groups presented an equilibrated microbiome. No statistically significant differences in microbial diversity were found between the study groups (p > 0.05). This study sheds light on the critical importance of oral hygiene in microbiome diversity in patients with beta-thalassemia major. Full article

Dengue virus infection (DVI), a mosquito-borne arboviral infection, is prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including Bangladesh, where incidence has surged over the past three decades—particularly in urban and peri-urban areas. This study investigates the factors influencing DVI seropositivity among clinically suspected patients admitted to the selected hospitals of Savar, Dhaka, and Chattogram. Data were collected from 850 clinically suspected patients admitted to two hospitals in Savar, Dhaka, and two in Chattogram during 2019. Questionnaire responses and laboratory test results (NS1, IgM, and IgG) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. Out of 450 admissions in Savar, 330 tested positive, while Chattogram reported 145 positives from 400 cases. No significant differences were observed between regions in relation to hospital type, season, gender, or household preventive measures. In Savar, DVI status was significantly associated with season, mosquito net use, and patient contact. In Chattogram, household repellent use and patient contact were key factors. Diagnostic tests varied in detection capability. These findings can inform targeted intervention strategies and public health messaging, such as promoting personal protection measures and community awareness campaigns, particularly in high-incidence urban settings. However, further research across diverse geographic and socio-ecological contexts is needed to enhance the generalizability and policy relevance of these results. Full article

Vaginitis is a major health concern among women, with inadequate treatment potentially leading to reproductive complications. This study aimed to assess vaginitis prevalence, identify predominant pathogens, and evaluate associated risk factors among female patients at Da Nang Dermato-Venereology Hospital. A prospective study of 796 female patients undergoing physical examinations was conducted, with demographic, clinical, and microbiological data collected. Vaginitis was diagnosed in 180 (22.6%) of 796 female patients, predominantly caused by Candida spp. (66.1%) and bacterial pathogens (31.7%), with no Trichomonas vaginalis detected, and was most prevalent in women aged 20–30 years. Poor hygiene practices, including infrequent sanitary pad changes (OR = 5.01, p < 0.001) and routine vaginal douching (OR = 6.77, p < 0.001), were significantly associated with vaginitis. The Amsel criteria showed high specificity (99.1%) for bacterial vaginosis diagnosis. The absence of T. vaginalis suggests a potential shift in the epidemiology of vaginal infections. The Amsel criteria are a practical diagnostic tool in resource-limited settings. Our findings highlight the need for targeted hygiene education to reduce vaginitis prevalence in Vietnam. Full article