The Contribution of Cervicovaginal Infections to the Immunomodulatory Effects of Hormonal Contraception.

ABSTRACT:

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Particular types of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) and genital tract infections have been independently associated with risk of HIV-1 acquisition. We examined whether immunity in women using injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), combined oral contraceptives (COC), or no HCs differs by the presence of cervicovaginal infections. Immune mediators were quantified in cervical swabs from 832 HIV-uninfected reproductive-age Ugandans and Zimbabweans. Bacterial infections and HIV were diagnosed by PCR, genital herpes serostatus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), altered microflora by Nugent score, and Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans infection by wet mount. Generalized linear models utilizing Box-Cox-Power transformation examined associations be

SUBMITTER: Fichorova RN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4556810 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature