Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 3, 2026

Knee Arthrocentesis in Adults
04:41

Knee Arthrocentesis in Adults

Published on: February 25, 2022

9.0K

Lower genital tract infections in young female juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients

Gabriela R V Ferreira1, Renato B Tomioka2,3, Ligia B Queiroz4

  • 1Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Children's Institute, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Av. Dr. Eneas Carvalho Aguiar, 647 - Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, 05403-000, Brazil.

Advances in Rheumatology (London, England)
|November 16, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical dysplasia in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients. Common infections like Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae were not significantly increased in JIA patients.

Area of Science:

  • Gynecology
  • Rheumatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting children and young adults.
  • Lower genital tract infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), may pose risks to patients with chronic conditions.
  • Understanding infection prevalence in JIA patients is crucial for managing their reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of HPV, CT, and NG infections in female adolescent and young adult patients with JIA.
  • To assess the association between these infections and cervical abnormalities in JIA patients.
  • To evaluate the impact of JIA treatments on the risk of lower genital tract infections.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 33 female JIA patients and 28 healthy controls underwent gynecological and sexual function assessments.
  • Cervical specimens were tested for HPV-DNA, CT-DNA, and NG-DNA using Hybrid Capture 2 assays.
  • Clinical and laboratory parameters, JIA treatments (methotrexate, biological agents), and cervical cytology were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • HPV infection was more frequent in JIA patients (30%) compared to controls (11%), though not statistically significant (p=0.155).
  • CT and NG infections were rare and similar between JIA patients and controls.
  • JIA patients with abnormal cervical cytology showed a significantly higher HPV infection rate (87%) compared to those with normal cytology (12%) (p=0.0002).
  • No significant differences in demographic data, sexual function, or JIA treatment modalities were observed between JIA subgroups with normal or abnormal cytology.

Conclusions:

  • HPV is identified as the main cause of cervical dysplasia in JIA patients.
  • Current JIA treatments, including methotrexate and biological agents, do not appear to increase the risk of lower genital tract infections.
  • This study highlights the importance of screening for HPV in JIA patients to prevent cervical dysplasia.
Abstract

Keywords:
Chlamydia trachomatisHuman papillomavirusInfectionJuvenile idiopathic arthritisNeisseria gonorrhoeae

More Related Videos

Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice08:53

Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice

Published on: December 4, 2020

6.6K
Mouse Models of Epididymitis Induced by Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns08:27

Mouse Models of Epididymitis Induced by Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns

Published on: December 12, 2025

143

Related Concept Videos

Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology01:25

Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs) encompasses several progressive stages, beginning with bacterial colonization and culminating in potential systemic complications if untreated. UTIs are primarily initiated by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, which often originate from the gastrointestinal tract and migrate to the urinary system through the periurethral area. This migration can occur via several routes, including improper hygiene practices, sexual activity, or...
508
Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction01:26

Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) impact various parts of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. These infections are generally bacterial, with Escherichia coli being the most common causative agent, often originating from the gastrointestinal tract. However, other bacteria, such as Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis, are also known to cause UTIs. The type, location, and underlying complexity of the UTI guide both...
490
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:30

Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
214
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction01:27

Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction

Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the renal parenchyma and collecting system, including the renal pelvis, tubules, and interstitial tissue of one or both kidneys. It can be classified as either acute—a sudden, severe infection—or chronic, which refers to long-term or recurrent kidney infections.The primary cause of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is bacterial infection, with Escherichia coli accounting for approximately 70-80% of cases. Other bacteria, such...
404
Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:26

Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

Renal calculi, commonly termed kidney stones, are crystalline solid masses that form in the kidneys but can occur at any point within the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.The pathophysiology of renal stones involves several key factors: supersaturation of the urine with stone-forming constituents, changes in urine pH, a decrease in urine volume, and the presence of substances that promote or inhibit stone formation.Supersaturation of Urine: This is the...
337
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
249