Reproductive Infectious Diseases: Matters Across the Spectrum of Reproductive Health

Reproductive infectious diseases encompass the spectrum of medical conditions that reproductive-aged cis-gendered women experience, often resulting in short and long-term sequela impacting their quality of life and long-term reproductive goals. In 2020, WHO estimated 374 million new infections with 1 of 4 STIs: chlamydia (129 million), gonorrhoea (82 million), syphilis (7.1 million), and trichomoniasis (156 million). It is estimated that 4% of incident chlamydia infections worldwide occurred among women aged 15–49 years. In 2022, among women ≥ 15 years, 540,000 acquired HIV infection and 20.0 million were living with HIV globally. Women’s reproductive health is often marginalized and underfunded, and the sequelae that women experience reflect the impacts and intersection of social needs and the social determinants of health. Thus, this special issue will focus on the effects of these conditions across the reproductive spectrum, including ectopic pregnancy, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain, which is critical to drive future research and funding priorities in this often neglected area of clinical care.

The goal of this research topic is to compile manuscripts that individually and collectively highlight the pathology, morbidity, and impact of reproductive infectious diseases globally and specifically on historically marginalized and underrepresented communities. The insights gleaned from this collection will support the mitigation of health disparities to draw attention to critical areas of research interest and need in reproductive infectious diseases.

We welcome the submission of manuscripts including, but not limited to, the following special focus topics:
-gynecologic reproductive infectious diseases
-global reproductive health
-lower genital tract infections
-prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections
-reproductive infectious diseases in underserved populations

The following article types will be considered: Brief Research Report, Case Report, Clinical Trial, Community Case Study, Data Report, Original Research, Perspective, Opinion, Policy Brief, Policy and Practice Review, and Study Protocol. Submission inquiries are welcome to inform the development and submission of your manuscript.

The Topic Editors will be selecting four meritorious manuscripts submitted by trainees or junior faculty to receive a 50% discount on the article processing charges. To be considered for this award, manuscripts must be submitted by December 1st and have a primary author who is a student or who completed their PhD/ Medical Degree less than 10 years ago.

Keywords: Lower genital tract infections, Prevention of STIs and HIV, Marginalized and underserved communities, Global health, Sexual health, Reproductive care

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.