Histo: Gynaecological pathology Pt.1 Flashcards
List some gynaecological infections that cause discomfort but no serious complications.
- Candida
- Trichomonas vaginalis
- Gardnerella
List some gynaecological infections that cause serious complications.
- Chlamydia (infertility)
- Gonorrhoea (infertility)
- Mycoplasma (spontaneous abortion and chorioamnionitis)
- HPV (cancer)
What is pelvic inflammatory disease?
Ascending infection of the female genital tract that can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries
What are the usual causes of pelvic inflammatory disease?
- Gonococci
- Chlamydia
- Enteric bacteria
List some complications of pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Peritonitis
- Intestinal obstruction due to adhesions
- Bacteraemia (sepsis)
- Infertility
What is salpingitis?
Infection of the fallopian tubes
List some complications of salpingitis.
- Infertility
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Plical fusion
- Adhesions to the ovary
- Tubo-ovarian abscess
- Peritonitis
- Hydrosalpinx
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
When the fertilised ovum implants outside the uterus (e.g. in the Fallopian tube)
What is the mean age of onset of cervical cancer?
45-50 years
List some risk factors for cervical cancer.
- Human papilloma virus (present in 95%)
- Many sexual partners
- Sexually active early
- Smoking
- Immunosuppression
Which HPV strains are considered low risk and what is infection associated with?
Types 6, 11
Associated with warts and low grade cervical dysplasia
Which HPV strains are considered high risk and what is infection associated with?
Types 16, 18, 31, 33
Associated with:
- Low and high grade cervical dysplasia
- Cervical cancer
- Vulval, vaginal, penile, and anal cancer
What epithelium type is the found in the cervix?
Endocervix - columnar epithelium
Ectocervix - stratified squamous epithelium
Sepearted by the transformation zone
What is the outcome of HPV infection in most people?
- Nothing - virus is eliminated by immune system and becomes undetectable within 2 years in 90% of people
- Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is associated with dysplasia and cancerous changes
What are the two types of HPV infection? Describe them.
-
Latent (non-productive)
- HPV DNA continues to reside within basal cells
- Infectious virions are not produced
- Replication of viral DNA is coupled to replication of epithelial cells
- This means that complete viral particles are not produced
- Cellular effects of HPV are not seen
-
Productive
- Viral DNA replication occur independently of host chromosomal DNA synthesis
- Large amount of viral DNA and infectious virions are produced
- Characteristic cytological and histological featuers are seen (halo around the nucleus - koilocyte)