Sexually Transmitted Infections and Preterm Birth
Dr. Karen Lithgow | October 18, 2023 12-1pm ET
Learning objectives: (1) Preterm birth (PTB): causes, diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. (2) Current evidence linking STIs to preterm birth. (3) Vaginal microbiota as modulators of preterm birth risk. (4) Knowledge gaps in STI-PTB research: causality, mechanisms and relationship with other pregnancy complications.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dr. Karen Lithgow, PhD
Dr. Karen Lithgow is a CIHR Banting-funded postdoctoral fellow working with Dr. Laura Sycuro at the University of Calgary. Dr. Lithgow’s research investigates the vaginal microbiome with a focus on how microbial enzymes contribute to vaginal health, sexually transmitted infection and pregnancy complications. Dr. Lithgow obtained her BSc in Immunology & Infection from the University of Alberta and completed her PhD in Biochemistry & Microbiology from the University of Victoria. During her PhD, Dr. Lithgow explored Treponema pallidum molecular pathogenesis and vaccine development for syphilis under the supervision of Dr. Caroline Cameron.
ABOUT THE MODERATOR: Marc Steben, MD CCFP FCFP DESS
As a family physician, Marc concentrates his clinical interest on sexual health, mainly chronic genital diseases. Research, development and publications field include therapeutic approaches to chronic genital pain, prevention and treatment of genital herpes and development of HPV prophylactic vaccine. Marc is President of IUSTI Canada and Chair of the 2025 World STI congress of the ISSTDR and IUSTI World.
