A comparative immunohistochemical investigation of the consequences of chorioamnionitis on the developing human fetal spleen.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of chorioamnionitis on the extracellular matrix (ECM) structural glycoproteins of the developing human fetal spleen, and their influence on the haematopoiesis and spleen immune system compared to controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After elective induced pregnancy termination due to chorioamnionitis or voluntary abortion, paraffin-embedded specimens from the spleen and respective fetal membranes of 90 fetuses were investigated by immunohistochemistry for presence of ECM structural glycoproteins, haematopoietic, and lymphoid cells. Conventional histological examination of the relative fetal membranes was performed. RESULTS: The present results showed no quantitative variations in the expression of the ECM glycoproteins and haematopoietic lineages of the fetal spleen parenchyma at the end of first trimester (in both groups). At the second and third trimesters, acute chorioamnionitis showed a decreased number of the aforementioned proteins, with an increase of granulopoiesis and CD34 progenitor/stem haematopoietic cells. The immune system of the spleen during the third trimester demonstrated a decrease of both B and T lymphocytes, in comparison with controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that toxins and cytokines generated during chorioamnionitis, seem to influence ECM structural glycoproteins synthesis and release in fetal splenic parenchyma by reducing them, and probably cause further disorders of haematopoiesis and lymphopoiesis.

Congenital disorder of true cyclopia with polydactylia: case report and review of the literature.

Cyclopia is a rare type of holoprosencephaly and a congenital disorder characterized by the failure of the embryonic forebrain to properly divide the orbits of the eye into two cavities (the embryonic forebrain is normally responsible for inducing the development of the orbits). As a result a birth defect in which there is only one eye is developed. This eye is centrally placed in the area normally occupied by the root of the nose. As a rule, there is a missing nose or a non-functioning nose in the form of a proboscis (a tubular appendage) located above the central eye. In this report the macroscopic, radiographic, and immunohistochemical findings of a case of true cyclopia in a female fetus are described. Cyclopia is a lethal condition that is associated with dramatic symmetric deformities of the nose, skull, orbits, and brain.

Molecular diagnosis of CMV infection in fetal aborted tissues in the region of Thrace.

PURPOSE: To detect the incidence of CMV infection in spontaneous abortion in Thrace. METHODS: Genetic material from 143 fetuses aged from 11 to 39 weeks was examined. The material originated from various regions of Thrace. All fetuses and the respective placentas underwent routine histopathology. DNA was isolated from sections of paraffinized tissues. Detection of CMV in the DNA genomic samples was performed using a commercial PCR-based detection kit. RESULTS: From the 143 fetuses that were examined, two were found to be CMV positive. Pathological findings related to inflammatory corruptions were observed in the placentas of 97 embryos, including the CMV infected ones. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates CMV-DNA infection in 1.4% of aborted fetuses. CMV infection incidence in aborted fetuses is similar to this reported in other European regions. The molecular technique of PCR applied on paraffin-embedded biopsy material is proven to be an accurate, valid and fast method for investigating the CMV infection in aborted fetuses.