Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are commonly spread via sexual contact and have a major impact on sexual, reproductive and neonatal health, but can also cause disastrous and life-threatening complications if left untreated. In addition to this personal burden, STIs also represent a socioeconomic problem, deriving in treatment costs of tremendous proportions. With this Special Issue, Microbial Cell compiles a series of articles that focus on the eight major STIs: (syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, human papilloma virus, herpes simplex virus, hepatitis B virus, and human immunodeficiency virus). Thereby all relevant features of each infection are covered: (i) etiology, transmission and protection; (ii) pathology/symptomatology; (iii) epidemiology, incidence and prevalence; (iv) treatment and curability; and (v) molecular mechanisms of infection.
Advancements in vaginal microbiota, Trichomonas vaginalis, and vaginal cell interactions: Insights from co-culture assays
Fernanda Gomes Cardoso and Tiana Tasca
2025 | 10.15698/mic2025.05.849 | Reviews
This review updates co-culture and co-incubation techniques for studying interactions of Lactobacillus spp., representing a pre-dominant member of the healthy vaginal microbiota; Candida spp., the most abundant yeast in the vagina, and T. vaginalis, responsible for the most widespread nonviral STI worldwide.
Influence of cervicovaginal microbiota on Chlamydia trachomatis infection dynamics
Emily Hand, Indriati Hood-Pishchany, Toni Darville and Catherine M. O’Connell
2025 | 10.15698/mic2025.04.848 | Reviews
This review examines the complex interplay between the cervicovaginal microbiome, C. trachomatis infection, and host immune responses, highlighting the role of metabolites such as short-chain and long-chain fatty acids, indole, and iron in modulating pathogen survival and host defenses.
Infinity war: Trichomonas vaginalis and interactions with host immune response
Giulia Bongiorni Galego and Tiana Tasca
2023 | 10.15698/mic2023.05.796 | Reviews
Trichomonas vaginalis is the pathological agent of human trichomoniasis with an incidence of 156 million cases worldwide. This review highlights parasite strategies to activate and stimulate or evade variated and complex immunological mechanisms related to the symptoms and clinical complications observed here.
Chlamydia trachomatis Genital Infections
Catherine M. O’Connell and Morgan E. Ferone
2016 | 10.15698/mic2016.09.525 | Reviews
Chlamydia trachomatis infections are the most commonly reported sexually transmitted bacterial infections in the US and globally. Ascending infection may result in infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain in some women. In this review we provide an overview of current knowledge regarding epidemiology, disease outcomes and effective treatment of chlamydial genital tract infection and explore potential mechanisms facilitating C. trachomatis infection of genital mucosa identified via bioinformatics and other molecular approaches.
Hepatitis B virus and its sexually transmitted infection – an update
Takako Inoue and Yasuhito Tanaka
2016 | 10.15698/mic2016.09.527 | Reviews
About 5% of the world’s population has chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and nearly 25% of carriers develop chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The purpose of this article is to provide up-to-date information on HBV and HBV infection as a major sexually transmitted infection.
Gonorrhea – an evolving disease of the new millennium
Stuart A. Hill, Thao L. Masters and Jenny Wachter
2016 | 10.15698/mic2016.09.524 | Reviews
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the gonococcus) is a Gram-negative diplococcus, an obligate human pathogen, and the etiologic agent of the sexually transmitted disease, gonorrhea. This review provides insight into the molecular epidemiology, virulence mechanisms, pathogenesis and therapeutic options.
Syphilis: Re-emergence of an old foe
Lola V. Stamm
2016 | 10.15698/mic2016.09.523 | Reviews
Syphilis is caused by infection with Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, a not-yet-cultivable spiral-shaped bacterium that is usually transmitted by sexual contact with an infected partner or by an infected pregnant woman to her fetus. This review provides insights into the etiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of syphilis.
Trichomoniasis – are we giving the deserved attention to the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide?
Camila Braz Menezes, Amanda Piccoli Frasson, Tiana Tasca
2016 | 10.15698/mic2016.09.526 | Reviews
Trichomonas vaginalis is the etiologic agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the world. This article contributes to claim the attention of public health policies to control this STD.
Sexually transmitted infections: old foes on the rise
Didac Carmona-Gutierrez, Katharina Kainz and Frank Madeo
2016 | 10.15698/mic2016.09.522 | Editorial – Special Issue on Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are commonly spread via sexual contact. It is estimated that one million STIs are acquired every day worldwide. Besides their impact on sexual, reproductive and neonatal health, they can cause disastrous and life-threatening complications if left untreated. In addition to this personal burden, STIs also represent a socioeconomic problem, deriving in treatment costs of tremendous proportions. Despite a substantial progress in diagnosis, treatment and prevention, the incidence of many common STIs is increasing, and STIs continue to represent a global public health problem and a major cause for morbidity and mortality. With this Special Issue, Microbial Cell provides an in-depth overview of the eight major STIs, covering all relevant features of each infection.
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