Aspectos imunogenéticos do parto pré-termo espontâneo / Immunogenetic aspects in spontaneous preterm birth

O parto pré-termo é uma das grandes intercorrências obstétricas, sendo a maior causa de morbidade e mortalidade perinatal. Dentre os diferentes fatores envolvidos no seu desencadeamento, a infecção intra-amniótica parece representar um papel central. As infecções desencadeiam resposta inflamatória nos tecidos materno e fetal, mediada pela produção de citocinas inflamatórias. As citocinas induzem a liberação de prostaglandinas, aumentando a contratilidade uterina, favorecendo a rotura das membranas fetais, a modificação e dilatação da cérvice e, finalmente, o parto pré-termo. A síntese de citocinas depende de controle genético. Diversos polimorfismos relacionados a genes humanos codificadores de citocinas são reconhecidos e associados a fenótipos de alta, média e baixa produção desses fatores. Assim sendo, a relação entre determinados genótipos e a ocorrência e/ou características de diferentes patologias tem sido investigada. Este tipo de abordagem pode contribuir para o conhecimento da patogenia, permitindo o reconhecimento de parâmetros preditivos e a definição de novas estratégias terapêuticas.

Preterm birth is a major obstetric incident and one of the main causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Among the different factors involved in its unleashing, intra-amniotic infection seems to play a central role. The infections unleash inflammatory response in both maternal and fetal tissues, mediated by the production of inflammatory cytokines. They also lead to liberation of prostaglandin, which increases myometrial contractility, favoring the rupture of fetal membrane, alteration and dilation of the cervix and, finally, preterm birth. The production of cytokines depends on genetic control. Many polymorphisms related to human genes that codify cytokines are recognized and associated with phenotypes of high, medium and low production of such factors. Thus, the relation between certain genotypes and the occurrence and/or characteristics of several pathologies has been the focus of investigations. This approach may contribute with a better understanding of the pathogenesis, allowing the identification of predictive parameters and the establishment of new intervention strategies.

Relación del aislamiento microbiano en líquido amniótico con la sepsis neonatal / Relationship of the microbial isolate in amniotic fluid with the neonatal sepsis

Muchas infecciones adquiridas por el recién nacido durante el nacimiento son el resultado de la aspiración de líquido amniótico infectado o de las secreciones vaginales de la madre Objetivo: Establecer la relación entre el aislamiento bacteriano en el líquido amniótico y el desarrollo de sepsis neonatal y vincular las roturas prematuras de membranas, el empleo de antimicrobianos maternos y el peso al nacer con la aparición de sepsis en el neonato. Método: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal prospectivo en los servicios de microbiología, perinatología y neonatología del Hospital Ginecobstétrico Provincial Docente Ana Betancourt de Mora de Camagüey, desde octubre de 2006 hasta marzo de 2007. Se recibieron un total de 65 muestras de líquido amniótico las cuales fueron procesadas en el laboratorio de Microbiología según las normas vigentes. Resultados: Los microorganismos del género Enterococo fueron aislados con mayor frecuencia 37,14 por ciento. En el 88,5 por ciento de las pacientes con rotura prematura de membranas más de 72 horas se desarrolló sepsis congénita en los niños. La mayoría de las madres con tratamiento antimicrobiano profiláctico no tuvieron hijos con sepsis congénita. Existió una estrecha relación entre el bajo peso al nacer < 2500 g y la sepsis neonatal. Conclusiones: El uso de antimicrobianos profiláctico en la rotura prematura de membranas disminuye el riesgo de sepsis neonatal.

Many acquired infections by the newborn during birth are the result of the aspiration of infected amniotic fluid or of mother's vaginal secretions. Objective: To establish the relationship among the bacterial isolate in the amniotic fluid and the development of neonatal sepsis and to link the premature ruptures of membranes, the employment of maternal antimicrobial and the birthweight with sepsis apparition in the neonate. Method: A longitudinal prospective study in the microbiology, perinatology and neonatology services of the Teaching Provincial Gynecobstetric Hospital Ana Betancourt de Mora of Camagüey was conducted, from October 2006 to March 2007. A total of 65 samples of amniotic fluid were received which were processed in the laboratory of Microbiology according to the effective norms. Results: The microorganisms of the genus Enterococo was isolated with more frequency 37,14 percent. In the 88,5 percent of patients with premature rupture of membranes more than 72 hours was developed congenital sepsis in the children. The majority of mothers with prophylactic antimicrobial treatment didn't have children with congenital sepsis. A narrow relationship existed among the low birth weight < 2500 g and the neonatal sepsis. Conclusions: The use of prophylactic antimicrobial in the premature rupture of membranes diminishes the risk of neonatal sepsis.

Cervical Length and the Risk of Microbial Invasion of the Amniotic Cavity in Women with Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

The aims of this study were to determine whether sonographically measured cervical length is of value in the identification of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and to compare its performance with maternal blood C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and amniotic fluid (AF) WBC. This prospective observational study enrolled 50 singleton pregnancies with PPROM. Transvaginal ultrasound for measurement of cervical length was performed and maternal blood was collected for the determination of CRP and WBC at the time of amniocentesis. AF obtained by amniocentesis was cultured and WBC determined. The prevalence of a positive amniotic fluid culture was 26% (13/50). Patients with positive amniotic fluid cultures had a significantly shorter median cervical length and higher median CRP, WBC, and AF WBC than did those with negative cultures. Multiple logistic regression indicated that only cervical length had a significant relationship with the log odds of a positive AF culture. Transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length is valuable in the identification of microbial invasion of amniotic cavity in women with PPROM. Cervical length performs better than AF WBC, maternal blood CRP, and WBC in the identification of a positive amniotic fluid culture.

Resultado neonatal adverso en la rotura prematura de membranas de pretérmino según el modo del parto / Adverse neonatal outcome in patients with preterm PROM according to mode of delivery

Objetivo: Evaluar el resultado neonatal adverso según modo de parto en la rotura prematura de membranas de pretérmino (RPMPT). Métodos: Participaron 135 embarazadas entre 24 y 34 semanas de gestación con diagnóstico de rotura prematura de membranas. Se excluyeron pacientes en trabajo de parto y condiciones maternas y fetales severas que pudiesen alterar el resultado perinatal. Todas las embarazadas tuvieron evaluación microbiológica del líquido amniótico y cérvicovaginal, y recibieron antibióticos, corticoesteroides y manejo expectante hasta las 35 semanas. Se definió resultado neonatal adverso (RA) compuesto, la variable que incluyó morbilidad neonatal severa, secuelas o muerte neonatal. Se definió invasión microbiana de la cavidad amniótica (IMCA) por cultivo positivo del líquido amniótico. Funisitis se diagnosticó por la presencia de leucocitos polimorfonucleares en la pared de los vasos umbilicales o gelatina de Warthon. La cesárea se realizó por indicaciones obstétricas o por urgencias. Para el análisis se usó curva ROC y chi cuadrado. Resultados: Se incluyeron 116 pacientes. Modo del parto: vaginal 50,1 por ciento y cesárea 49,9 por ciento. La IMCA fue 52,6 por ciento y el RA 17,2 por ciento. El RA no dependió del modo del parto (vaginal 13,6 por ciento vs. cesárea 21,1 por ciento). La vía del parto no influyó en el RA de los subgrupos donde este resultado fue más frecuente: <1500 gramos de peso al nacer (vaginal 46,7 por ciento vs cesárea 47,4 por ciento) y <31 semanas de gestación al parto (vaginal 35 por ciento vs cesárea 35,5 por ciento). El RA se asoció con variables infecciosas: IMCA 24,6 por ciento, IMCA por S agalactiae 71,4 por ciento, corioamnionitis histológica 100 por ciento y funisitis 94,4 por ciento. Las 30 semanas de edad gestacional (Curva Roe) identificó al feto con mayor riesgo de resultado neonatal adverso según edad gestacional al parto. Conclusión: En la paciente con RPMPT manejada con antibióticos, corticosteroides y conducta expe...

Antioxidant-statin combination for the management of intraperitoneal sepsis in rats

There is a good evidence that endotoxemia, sepsis, and septic shock are associated with the generation and release of reactive oxygen species [ROS], indicating that oxygen-derived free radicals play an important role in the pathogenesis of septic shock. Inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase in addition to lowering serum cholesterol levels, exert many pleiotropic effects as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. The present study was designed to investigate the possible modulatory effect, if any, of atorvastatin alone or in combination with N-acetylcysteine in cecal ligaiton and perforation [CLP] model of sepsis in rats. Sixty four male albino rats weighing 150-200 g were used in the present study. Rats were randomly divided into eight groups, each of eight rats. Group I, sham operated group. Group II, non treated CLP control group. Group HI, vehicle-treated CLP control group, received saline SC and 2% gum acacia orally. Group IV, CLP group, treated by ceftriaxone plus gentamicin IM every six hours immediately after resuscitation. Group V, CLP group, treated by atorvastatin orally suspended in 2% gum acacia after resuscitation. Group VI, CLP group, treated by N-acetylcysteine [NAC] SC every 6 hours starting after resuscitation. Group VII, CLP group, treated by both atorvastatin and NAC in the same doses and routes of groups V and VI respectively. Group VIII, CLP group, treated by ceftriaxone-gentamicin combination as in group IV in addition to atorvastatin-NAC combination as in group VII. Twelve hours after CLP, malondialdehyde [MDA] levels, my eloperoxidase [MPO], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and catalase activities in heart, liver, and kidney were significantly elevated. Early treatment of CLP rats with ceftriaxone-gentamicin combination, atorvastatin and/or NAC caused a significant reduction in the aforementioned parameters. The concomitant administration of atorvastatin-NAC combination with ceftriaxone -gentamicin combined therapy nearly normalized the studied parameters. The results of the present work demonstrated that ROS plays an important role in CLP model of sepsis in rats. Furthermore, atorvastatin proved to have a protective effect in CLP rats which could be due to an antioxidant effect in addition to a possible anti-inflammatory action. These beneficial effects are augmented by the co-administration of NAC. Nevertheless, it is not advisable to use antioxidants alone for the management of sepsis, so it is recommended to use atorvastatin-NAC combination with optimum chemotherapeutic agents. Future human studies are indicated to assess the clinical relevance of the results of the present work in patients with septic shock

Invasión microbiana de la cavidad amniótica en la rotura de membranas de pretérmino: Resultados maternoneonatales y patología placentaria según microorganismo aislado / Outcome of microbial invasion of amniotic cavity in the preterm premature rupture of membranes

Background: Microbial invasion of amniotic cavity occurs in 30 to 50percent of patients with premature membrane rupture. Aim: To determine the outcomes associated with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) in patients with preterm premature rupture of membrane (pPROM). Patients and methods: One hundred thirty four patients with preterm pPROM between 24 and 34 weeks of pregnancy, without clinical infection or labor, were studied. Cultures were obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis from the amniotic fluid and the lower genital tract. Four groups of MIAC were observed: MIAC1: due to S. agalactiae, F. nucleatum or H. influenzae as only etiologic agents, MIAC2: due to other bacteria, alone or mixed, MIAC3: due to U. urealyticum as only etiologic agent, MIAC0: No MIAC and no infection of the lower genital tract. Study patients received antibiotics and were managed expectantly until 35 weeks unless clinical chorioamnionitis developed or an amniotic fluid culture returned positive for S. agalactiae, F. nucleatum or H. influenzae. Results: Ninety six patients were enrolled: MIAC1 (n=11), MIAC2 (n=30), MIAC3 (n=19) and MIAC0 (n=36). Clinical chorioamnionitis was more common in patients with MIAC1 than those with MIAC3 (p<0.01) and those without infection (p<0.001). The admission to delivery interval was shorter in patients with MIAC1 (2.8 days) than those with MIAC3 (10.1 days, p<0.05) and those without infection (18 days, p<0.001). Delivery within 48 h and within 7 days of admission were also more frequent in patients with MIAC1 than in patients with MIAC3 (p<0.05) or those without infection (p<0.001). Newborns to mothers with MIAC1 had a higher frequency of infection (36percent), asphyxia (36percent), admission to neonatal ICU (100percent) and death (46prcent) than those of mothers with MIAC3 and those without infection. Birth weight was also significantly lower. Histological chorioamnionitis was more common in patients with MIAC1 than in patients with MIAC3 and those without infection. The rate of funisitis was higher in patients with MIAC1 than those without infection. Conclusions: In patients with preterm PROM, microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity by S. agalactiae, F. nucleatum or H. influenzae is associated with high frecuency of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes and neonatal death.

Relación entre doppler de la arteria umbilical, invasión microbiana de la cavidad amniótica, funisitis y resultado adverso neonatal en la rotura prematura de membranas de pretérmino / Relation between doppler of umbilical artery, microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, funisitis and adverse neonatal outcome in patients with preterm PROM

Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad del Doppler de la arteria umbilical (AU) para predecir invasión microbiana de la cavidad amniótica (IMCA), funisitis y resultado adverso neonatal (RA) en pacientes con rotura prematura de membranas de pretérmino (RPMPT). Métodos: Se estudian 80 embarazadas entre 24 y 34 semanas de gestación con diagnóstico de rotura prematura de membranas. Se excluyeron embarazadas con condiciones materno-fetales severas que pudiesen alterar el resultado perinatal. Todas tuvieron ultrasonografía para biometría fetal y Doppler de la arteria umbilical dentro de una semana del nacimiento y microbiología de líquido amniótico. Se creó una variable compuesta que incluyó morbilidad neonatal severa, secuelas o muerte neonatal. Las pacientes recibieron antibióticos, esteroides y manejo expectante hasta las 35 semanas. IMCA se definió por el cultivo positivo del líquido amniótico; funisitis por la presencia de leucocitos polimorfonucleares en la pared de los vasos umbilicales o gelatina de Warthon. Se usaron análisis de curva ROC y tablas de contingencia para el cálculo estadístico. Resultados: Se incluyeron 68 pacientes. El RA compuesto se presentó en 19,4 por ciento. Los fetos que desarrollaron RA tuvieron relación S/D de AU, significativamente más alta que los fetos con resultado bueno (RB) (65,6±30,9 vs 30,0±20,4 p<0,001), así como también más alta proporción de valores de la relación S/D de la AU sobre el percentil 90 (30,8 por ciento vs 0 por ciento, respectivamente, p<0,0001). No hubo diferencias en la relación S/D de la AU en los grupos con y sin IMCA y con o sin funisitis. Fetos con relación S/D de la AU con percentil >41 tuvieron significativo más alto riesgo de RA que fetos con percentil < 41 (odds ratio: 15,7; 95 por ciento CI 2,73-118; p<0,001), con sensibilidad de 85 por ciento, tasa de falso-positivo de 56 por ciento, especificidad de 74 por ciento y falso negativo de 5 por ciento. Conclusiones: En la RPMPT, la relación S/D de la AU, predice...

Diagnóstico antenatal de sífilis congénita por PCR en líquido amniótico y sus posibles aplicaciones / Prenatal diagnosis of congenital syphilis by PCR in amniotic liquid and its possible applications

Se presenta un caso clínico de sífilis congénita diagnosticada antenatalmente mediante el uso de la reacción de la polimerasa en cadena (PCR) en líquido amniótico. La PCR permitiría identificar la espiroqueta en diferentes medios, como en sangre, líquido amniótico y líquido céfalo-raquídeo. Deberán desarrollarse nuevos protocolos para poder probar la efectividad de los tratamientos en base a esta técnica diagnóstica.

Avaliação da contaminação microbiana da membrana amniótica e líquido amniótico / Evaluation of microbiological contamination of amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid

OBJETIVOS: Verificar a possibilidade de contaminação do líquido amniótico e da membrana amniótica no tempo zero e em diferentes tempos após o parto. MÉTODO: Nove amostras de líquido amniótico foram colhidas através de punção uterina. Nove membranas amnióticas foram obtidas de placentas após cesáreas eletivas em gestantes com sorologias negativas (hepatite B, C, sífilis, HIV). Obtiveram-se amostras de membranas amnióticas em três diferentes momentos após o parto (zero, trinta e sessenta minutos). As amostras de membrana foram inoculadas em meios para cultivo bacteriano e fúngico. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se cultivo positivo para bactérias em quatro amostras do líquido amniótico e em todas membranas amnióticas. Staphylococcus coagulase negativo cresceu nas nove membranas estudadas. No tempo zero houve crescimento de Staphylococcus coagulase negativo em todas as membranas, de Staphylococcus aureus em duas, de Enterobacter, Neisseria sp. e Streptococcus viridans em uma cada. No tempo trinta, o Staphylococcus coagulase negativo também cresceu em todas as membranas e o Streptococus viridans em uma. No tempo sessenta, o Staphylococcus coagulase negativo cresceu em oito das nove membranas, o Staphylococcus aureus em duas e o Streptococus viridans em uma. Staphylococcus coagulase negativo foi encontrado em três amostras de líquido e membranas amnióticas correspondentes. CONCLUSAO: Contaminação bacteriana foi evidenciada em todas as membranas amnióticas. Cuidados assépticos devem ser realizados durante todo o manuseio da membrana antes de sua utilização. Estudos quantitativos com maior número de amostras são necessários para comparação mais acurada da variação da contaminação da membrana amniótica em diferentes tempos após a sua retirada.

Fisiopatología de la rotura prematura de las membranas ovulares em embarazos de pretérmino / Physiopathology of the premature rupture of membranes in preterm pregnancies

Se revisa la información de la literatura respecto de la estructura de las membranas ovulares, describiendo la zona de morfología alterada extrema, los mecanismos fisiopatológicos involucrados en la rotura prematura de membranas (destacando el proceso de apoptosis), relacionados a infección, isquemia placentaria, distensión de membranas, hemorragia coriodecidual, tabaquismo, relaxina, prolactina, hormona paratiroídea.

Bacterial Growth in Amniotic Fluid Is Dependent on the Iron-Availability and the Activity of Bacterial Iron-Uptake System

In the present study, the relationship among iron-availability, antibacterial activity, role of meconium as an iron source and the activity of bacterial iron-uptake system (IUS) for bacterial growth in amniotic fluid (AF) were investigated. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 and its streptonigrin-resistant (SR) mutant with defective IUS were used as the test strains. The growth of S. aureus in AF was stimulated dosedependently by addition of meconium. Bacterial growth stimulated by meconium was re-inhibited dose-dependently by addition of iron-chelator, dipyridyl and apotransferrin. Iron concentration was correlated with the meconium content in AF (r(2)= 0.989, p=0.001). High-affinity IUS of S. aureus was expressed only in AF but not in AF with meconium. The growth of SR strain was more retarded than that of the parental strain in the iron-deficient brain heart infusion (ID-BHI), clear AF and AF containing apotransferrin. The retarded growth of both strains in the ID-BHI and AF was recovered by addition of holotransferrin, hemoglobin and FeCl3. Taken together, the antibacterial activity of AF is closely related with low iron-availability. Bacterial growth in AF considerably depends on the activity of bacterial IUS. Meconium acts as one of the exogenous iron-sources and thus can stimulate bacterial growth in AF.

Parto prematuro con membranas intactas: microbiología del líquido amniótico y tracto genital inferior y su relación con los resultados materno neonatales / Premature labor with intact membranes: relationship of amniotic fluid and lower genital tract microbiology with maternal and neonatal outcomes

Background: The prevalence of idiopathic spontaneous premature labor or without an evident clinical cause, has not been reduced with tocolytic treatments, suggesting that premature labor has multiple causes and infections play a not well-defined role. Aim: To perform microbiological studies of the amniotic fluid and of the lower genital tract in women with idiopathic premature labor and intact membranes, relating these findings with maternal and neonatal outcomes. Patients and methods: Women with pregnancies between 24 and 34 weeks, with premature labor and without an evident clinical cause were enrolled. Amniotic fluid and genital tract samples were obtained for traditional microbiological cultures. This information was related with delivery events and neonatal outcome. Results: Sixty-three patients were included. The overall frequency of microbial invasion of amniotic cavity was 23.8 percent and of cervical or vaginal infection was 63.5 percent (in 39.7 percent there was only cervical or vaginal infection without involvement of the amniotic sac). Absence of infection was documented in 36.5 percent of women. Compared to patients without infection, women with microbial invasion of amniotic cavity had a higher rate of prematurity (73.3 percent p < 0.05), a higher rate of prematurity of less than 34 weeks (60 percent p < 0.01), a higher frequency of preterm rupture of membranes (40 percent p < 0.001), a shorter admission-to-delivery interval (median 3.0 days p < 0.01) and lower gestational age at delivery (median 33 weeks p < 0.01). Clinical chorioamnionitis and endometritis (20 percent p < 0.01) was observed only in patients with amniotic cavity infections. Severe asphyxia (26.7 percent p < 0.05) and neonatal admission to Intensive Care Units (46.7 percent p < 0.05) were more frequent and neonatal weight was less in the offspring of women with microbial invasion of amniotic cavity (2020 g median p < 0.01). Conclusions: In preterm labor with intact membranes, intraamniotic infection is the most frequent cause of prematurity and is associated with a higher prevalence of maternal and neonatal problems

Infección intraamniótica por neisseria gonorrhoeae en un caso de rotura prematura de membranas de pretérmino / Intraamniotic infection by neisseria gonorrhoeae in a case of premature rupture of preterm membranes

La neisseria gonorrhoeae, microorganismo transmitido sexualmente, se ha aislado en mujeres embarazadas del tracto genital inferior, pero no del líquido amniótico. Se cree que la acción antibacteriana del líquido amniótico provocaría alteraciones morfológicas en la bacteria y facilitaría su destrucción. Se comunica el caso de una paciente con infección intraamniótica por neisseria gonorrhoeae en un embarazo de pretérmino de 27 semanas con rotura prematura de membranas. Esta infección desencadenó el parto anticipadamente y la placenta presentó corioamnionitis. Sin embargo a pesar que la infección intraamniótica se asocia frecuentemente con infección ovular clínica, endometritis puerperal e infección grave en el recién nacido, el neonato de 888 gramos de peso y su madre no tuvieron estas patologías infecciosas. Se advierte al especialista en ginecoobstetricia, sobre la conveniencia de aislar todos los microorganismos asociados con parto prematuro

Comparación de la reacción de polimerasa en cadena y cultivo en la detección de ureaplasma urealyticum en líquido amniótico / Comparison of polimerase chain reaction and culture in the detection of ureaplasma urealyticum in amniotic fluid

Se ha demostrado una importante asociación entre U. urealyticum y enfermedades materno-infantiles tales como rotura prematura de membranas, parto prematuro y enfermedad respiratoria en niños de muy bajo peso. Debido a que el cultivo de este microorganismo es un procedimiento costoso que requiere de hasta 5 días para descartar una muestra como negativa, se evaluó la sensibilidad y especificidad de la RPC para detectar U. urealyticum en líquido anmiótico. Los resultados indican que la RPC posee alta especificidad (100 por ciento) y sensibilidad (95,8 por ciento). Aunque se requiere de mayor evaluación clínica, este método rápido de detección de la bacteria (menos de 24 horas) es de particular importancia en el manejo y prevención de la morbimortalidad en recién nacidos y embarazadas

Pathological prediction of post-cesarean endomyometritis

A prospective blinded study was carried out on 80 patients undergoing cesarean delivery and receiving antibiotic prophylaxis. Amniotic fluid samples and decidual-myometrial biopsies were obtained at the time of the operation and examined to identify those incipiently infected patients. 15 patients developed post-cesarean endomyometritis and positive gram stain was detected only in eight of them. Significant histologic differences in decidual inflammation and myometrial polymorphonuclear cell invasion were detected in the group that developed post-cesarean endomyometritis compared with the group without endomyometritis. The patients who subsequently developed post-cesarean endomyometritis demonstrated greater numbers of bacteria in the myometrial biopsy compared with the group without endomyometritis as shown by acridine organ stain. These data showed that the technique of histologic detection of incipient infection and the detection of bacteria within the myometrial tissue provide accurate methods for the identification of the group at risk of development of post-cesarean endometritis

Potential role of cytokines as predictors in infection induced premature rupture of membranes; I-colony stimulating factor one [CSF -1] in premature rupture of membranes whether term or preterm

Acute bacterial intraamniotic infections are an important cause of perinatal morbidity and death. Although early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are believed to decrease the ill effects of intraamniotic infection, this goal is frequently difficult to achieve because the infection may not be clinically apparent before delivery in all patients. In this respect, the current study was designed to assess the potential role of CSF-l as a predictor of infection induced rupture membrane whether term or preterm. Collectively 75 amniotic fluid samples were obtained through caesarian section [C.S.] route of delivery. Fifty of them were from women suffering from premature rupture of membrane [PROM] [25 preterm and 25 full term] as well as 25 full term women with intact membranes served as controls. Bacterial cultures, chlamydial LPS antigen, mycoplasma and CSF-l detections revealed a significant association of bacterial infections and CSF-l with PROM deliveries [term and preterm] compared to the controls. A significant increase in CSF-l values were observed among PROM cases compared to the controls. CSF-l values were higher among preterm cases than full term ones and among positive amniotic fluid bacterial culture cases compared to negative culture ones. The highest CSF-l values were with ordinary bacterial infections and the least were with mycoplasmal and ureaplasmal ones

Potential role of cytokines in infection induced premature rupture of membrane; III- interleukin one beta in premature rupture of membranes whether term or preterm

The study was conducted upon 75 pregnant women delivering by caesarean section [CS] route. Group I [n=25] included preterm premature rupture of membranes [PROM] cases [20-37 wks of gestation], Group II [n=25] included full term PROM cases [38-42 wks], Group III [n=25] included the controls who were full term with intact membranes submitted to elective CS. Routine bacteriologic culture, chlamydial LPS and mycoplasmal detection and IL-1beta estimation of amniotic fluid samples revealed a significantly elevated IL-1beta values among preterm PROM cases with positive bacterial culture compared to negative culture cases. Also full term PROM cases revealed significantly elevated IL-1beta values among positive chlamydial amniotic fluid samples. To conclude IL-1beta could be a potential marker in infection induced PROM cases. Further studies arc warranted to clarify the role of IL-1beta receptor antagonist as a causal therapy in PROM cases

Histopatología de la placenta en la rotura prematura de membranas de pretérmino: relación con la microbiología aislada y con los resultados maternoneonatales / Placental pathology in premature rupture of membranes: its relationship with microbiologícal findings, maternal and neonatal outcome

Background: There is a close relationship between premature membrane rupture, bacterial infections and premature labor. Aim: To study placental histological changes in patients with preterm membrane rupture. To establish a relationship between pathological findings, amniotic fluid and lower genital tract microbiological studies, maternal and neonatal outcome. Patients and methods: Patients with premature membrane rupture of membranes between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation participated in this study. On admission, patients had no evidence of clinical chorioamnionitis, labor or fetal distress. Microbiological studies of the amniotic fluid and cervicovaginal secretions were performed and the placenta was sent for pathological study. Results: Seventy one placentas were available for the study. The main pathological findings were acute chorioamnionitis in 58 percent, trophoblastic proliferation in 38 percent, funisitis in 37 percent, villitis in 16 percent, fetal vascular lesions in 14 percent and no findings in 17 percent. Microbial invasion of amniotic cavity was present in 89 percent of acute chorioamnionitis. Sixty one percent of trophoblastic proliferation and all fetal vascular lesions were associated with negative amniotic and cervical cultures. Newborns with acute funisitis had a higher frequency of neonatal death (29 percent), severe asphyxia (42 percent) and neonatal infections (29 percent). Conclusions: Acute chorioamnionitis is the most frequent finding in patients with preterm membrane rupture and microbial invasion of amniotic cavity. In the absence of intra amniotic infection, proliferation of the trophoblast and the presence of fetal vascular lesions predominate. Acute funisitis is strongly associated with adverse fetal outcome

Microbiología aislada en la rotura prematura de membranas de término y factores de riesgo de infección en la madre y recién nacido / Isolated microbiology in the premature rupture of membranes of term and risk factors of maternal infection and newborn

El manejo óptimo de la rotura prematura de membranas a término, tendiente a reducir la morbilidad infecciosa materna y neonatal, sigue siendo motivo de controversia. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: conocer la prevalencia y microbiología de la invasión microbiana de la cavidad amniótica e infección cervicovaginal y determinar los factores de riesgo de infección en la madre y recién nacido en la rotura prematura de membranas a término. Entre agosto de 1990 y diciembre de 1993, pacientes con rotura prematura de membranas a término fueron invitadas a participar en este trabajo. Se efectuó amniocentesis transabdominal y se tomó muestra del flujo cervicovaginal, para investigar el estado microbiológico de la cavidad amniótica y del cérvix. Se analizaron factores de riesgo de infección. Ciento cinco mujeres fueron enroladas. La prevalencia de invasión microbiana de la cavidad amniótica fue 41,0 por ciento (43/105) y de infección cervicovaginal 61,0 por ciento (64/105). La tasa de infección materna (infección ovular clínica y/o endometritis) fue 8,6 por ciento (9/105); apareció sólo en mujeres con invasión microbiana de la cavidad amniótica y/o infección cérvicovaginal (14,1 por ciento (9/64 comparada con 0 por ciento (0/41) p<0,01) en pacientes sin infección en ambos compartimentos. Las bacterias más comúnmente aisladas de la cavidad amniótica fueron ureaplasma urealyticum, gardnerella vaginalis y peptostreptococcus sp. Los microorganismos más frecuentes en el cérvix fueron ureaplasma urealyticum, gardnerella vaginalis, mycoplasma hominis y streptococcus agalactiae. No se relacionaron con morbilidad infecciosa materna las variables: intervalo rotura de membranas-parto, duración parto, número de exámenes vaginales, score cervical, manejo activo o expectante, ruta del parto y paridad. La morbilidad infecciosa materna en la rotura prematura de membranas a término se relaciona con la presencia infección cervicovaginal e invasión microbiana de la cavidad amniótica, independdientemente de otros factores de riesgo tradicionales

Amplificación de genes bacterianos con reacción de polimerasa en cadena (PCR) para la detección de invasión microbiana de la cavidad amniotica (IMCA) y predicción de parto prematuro / Amplification of bacterial genes with polimerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of microbial invasion of amniotic cavity and prediction of premature labor

Se realizaron PCR y cultivos en líquido amniótico (LA) obtenido por amniocenteáis en 50 embarazadas con trabajo de parto prematuro sin rotura de membranas, y en 13 pacientes con embarazo de término, sin trabajo de parto, en quienes se realizó amniocentesis para evaluar madurez pulmonar fetal antes de la interrupción electiva de la gestación. Las pacientes fueron controladas hasta la resolución del embarazo. Se determinó el valor diagnóstico de los exámenes para predecir parto prematuro y complicaciones neonatales. PCR fue positivo en 23 casos, siendo E coli el germen más frecuentemente detectado (13). El cultivo fue positivo en 6 casos, coincidiendo el germen con PCR en 4 de ellos. La evolución a parto prematuro fue diferente entre los grupos PCR + y PCR-. PCR demostró sensibilidad mayor que los cultivos (40 vs 13 por ciento), y especificidad menor (45 vs 90 por ciento) para predecir parto prematuro menor a 37 semanas. La sensibilidad y especificidad para predecir parto prematuro menor a 34 semanas resultó aún mayor (64 y 59 por ciento, respectivamente). Ninguna de las 13 pacientes de término, candidatas a operación cesárea electiva, resultó positiva para PCR o cultivo