The 'Infections that are difficult to diagnose and treat' Group of the IIS Aragón (GIIS023) publishes two investigations on sexually transmitted infections and antimicrobial resistance

The IIS Aragón group has published a study that analyses the association between the presence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). On the other hand, the group has also recently presented research on the increase in antimicrobial resistance at the Miguel Servet University Hospital (HUMS), focusing on the impact of carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria.

The 'Infections of Difficult Diagnosis and Treatment' Group of the IIS Aragón (GIIS023) has published Two new studies provide key data in the field of infectious diseasesOne of them analyses the association between the presence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and that of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), while the other examines the increase in antimicrobial resistance with the example of carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria.

The relationship between HPV and other STIs (*)

This study, carried out within the framework of the cervical cancer screening programme, analyses the presence of STIs in women with a previous diagnosis of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV). The results show the persistence of HR-HPV in 38,6% of the participants and the presence of other STIs in 4,3%, the latter being more frequent in younger women and in those with persistent HR-HPV, reaching rates up to five times higher.

These findings reinforce the advantages of a more comprehensive approach to cervical cancer prevention, with benefits also for other gynecological and extragynecological conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, fertility problems and complications during pregnancy. The researchers highlight the opportunity and cost-effectiveness of incorporating this type of intervention into routine healthcare practice.

Furthermore, although the article does not deal with vaccination, the authors wish to highlight its important role, both in women and men.

This Tuesday, March 4, is World Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Awareness Day.

* Latorre-Millán M, Tristancho-Baró A, Burillo N, Ariza MP, Milagro AM, Abad MP, Baquedano L, Borque A, Rezusta A. HPV-associated sexually transmitted infections in cervical cancer screening: a prospective cohort study. Viruses. 2025; 17(2):247. https://doi.org/10.3390/v17020247

Increased antimicrobial resistance (**)

Furthermore, the Group of Difficult-to-Diagnosis and -Treatment Infections has analysed the evolution of carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria (CPE) in HUMS using genomic analysis, as an example of antimicrobial resistance monitoring, detecting a worrying increase. Between 2021 and 2023, the presence of these pathogens (CPE) has multiplied, going from 0,4% in 2021 to tripling in 2022 and doubling again in 2023.

The study revealed a resistance rate of over 70% to critical antibiotics in EPCs, and identified Klebsiella pneumoniae as the predominant species among these and the carbapenemase type OXA-48 as the most frequent. In addition, it highlights the key role of plasmids in the dissemination of these resistances. Researchers underline the urgency of implementing strategies based on genomic characterization to improve infection control and optimize treatments.

** B) Tristancho-Baró A, Franco-Fobe LE, Ariza MP, Milagro A, López-Calleja AI, Fortuño B, López C, Latorre-Millán M, Clusa L, Martínez R, Torres C, Rezusta A. (2025). Genomic Characterization of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae from Clinical and Epidemiological Human Samples. Antibiotics, 14(1), 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14010042