A prospective study with children whose mothers had dengue during pregnancy

Dengue congenital disease was not confirmed in 10 children whose mothers had the infection during pregnancy. The fetal sera presented anti-dengue IgG antibodies which progressively declined, and disappeared after 8 months. IgM antibodies to dengue were not observed in the sera. Other normal data suggesting the healthy state of the children included: absence of malformations, pregnancy time, Apgar index, weight, and placenta aspect

Oxidative stress in pregnancy and fertility pathologies

Oxidative stress designates the state of imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant levels. In a healthy placenta, there is an increase in ROS production, due to formation of new tissues and inherent metabolism, but this is balanced by higher levels of antioxidants. However, this balance is lost in some situations, with a consequent increase in oxidative stress levels. Oxidative stress has been implicated in several placental disorders and pregnancy pathologies. The present review intends to summarize what is known about the relationship between oxidative stress and well-known pregnancy disorders.

A survey of congenital Chagas’ disease, carried out at three Health Institutions in São Paulo City, Brazil

The congenital transmission of Chagas’ disease was evaluated in 57 pregnant women with Chagas’ disease and their 58 offspring. The patients were selected from three Health Institutions in São Paulo City. The maternal clinical forms of Chagas’ disease were: indeterminate (47.4%), cardiac (43.8%) and digestive (8.8%); 55 were born in endemic areas and two in São Paulo City. The transmission of Chagas’ disease at fetal level was confirmed in three (5.17%) of the 58 cases studied and one probably case of congenital Chagas’ disease. Two infected infants were born to chagasic women with HIV infection and were diagnosed by parasitolological assays (microhematocrit, quantitative buffy coat-QBC or artificial xenodiagnosis). In both cases the placenta revealed T. cruzi and HIV p24 antigens detected by immunohistochemistry. In one case, a 14-week old abortus, the diagnosis of congenital T. cruzi infection was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The other probable infection, a 30-week old stillborn, the parasites were found in the placenta and umbilical cord. The Western blot method using trypomastigote excreted/secreted antigens of T. cruzi (TESA) was positive for IgG antibodies in 54/55 newborns and for IgM in 1/55 newborns. One of the two newborns with circulating parasites had no detectable IgG or IgM antibodies. The assessment of IgG antibodies in the sera of pregnant women and their newborns was performed by ELISA using two different T. cruzi antigens: an alkaline extract of epimastigotes (EAE) and trypomastigote excreted/secreted antigens (TESA). The analysis showed a linear correlation between maternal and newborn IgG antibody titers at birth.

Perinatal Death: Epidemiology and Etiology

Perinatal mortality rate is an important mark to evaluate women and perinatal health care. It is of utmost importance to know causes and the evolution of its two components aiming to improve health care in different fields – sanitary conditions, diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease, immunisations, diagnosing and caring for medical diseases induced by pregnancy or directly related to it, providing skilled birth attendance, preventing birth asphyxia, preventing preterm birth complications and infections. In high-income countries the epidemiology varies mainly with social and economic conditions; in low-income countries, paired with poverty, undernutrition, superstition, lack of medical care, deficient basic sanitary conditions are also found. Also, in rich countries, responsible for 1% of deaths, data are published and improvements evaluated, while in low-income countries responsible for 99% of deaths numbers and causes are unknown, making difficult to implement cost effective interventions, a reason why “stillbirth rates in low-income countries are now where they were in high-income countries 50 to 100 years ago”. Knowledge on causes of death are very important as often what is needed are “simple” measures as improvement of sanitary conditions and immunisation programmes rather than high technologies. About four million babies dye each year in the first 28 days of life and another 3 million dye before birth in the third-trimester, with 98% occurring in low-income and middle income countries and more than 1 million occurring during labour and delivery. Classically stillbirths are the major component of perinatal mortality rate. Causes of death are even more difficult to know. In low-income countries a great proportion of women give birth at home. Worldwide the main causes of stillbirth are asphyxia due to obstructed labour, eclampsia, abruption placenta and umbilical cord complications - making valid the assumption that skilled birth attendance would decrease stillbirth; and infection - chorioamnioitis, syphilis and malaria. In high-income countries placental pathology and infection, congenital anomalies, complications of preterm birth and post term delivery, are the most common. If in low-income countries famine and lack of provisions and health care are common, in high-income countries, advanced maternal age and diabetes, obesity, hypertension, smoking, are frequent findings.

Ocular Toxoplasmosis Reactivation During Pregnancy – A Case Report

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii and may be acquired from food or water contaminated with cat feces or by vertical transmission. Severe fetal complications can overcome during pregnancy. There are also rare case-reports of congenital toxoplasmosis from previously immunized pregnant women; usually these women being had prior retinal toxoplasmic lesions. Immunosuppresion is one of the risk factors which accounts for some of these cases. Case report: 30 year-old pregnant woman, OI 2002, brazilian, previously healthy, admitted in Ophtalmology Department because of sudden left eye amaurosis in June, 2010. The fundoscopy revealed retinal scars suggesting previous infections; she was treated with corticoids and spiramycin for ocular toxoplasmosis reactivation. Previous serum analysis (2008) showed immunity to T. Gondii, but in July the IgM was negative and high levels of specific IgG were found (1227UI/mL). The serologic findings were later confirmed by a more accurate laboratory technique which found the IgM to be also positive. An amniocentesis was performed and it was negative for fetal transmission. Clinical and ultrasound follow-up throughout the rest of the gestational period was normal; daily spiramycin intake was maintained. An uneventful term delivery was performed. Neither the newborn’s serum analysis nor the histopathological study of the placenta were positive for congenital infection. Conclusion: Toxoplasmosis reactivation in pregnant women without immunosuppression is rare but is more likely to occur if previous post-infectious retinal scars are present. T. gondii infection is endemic in Brazil, so the geographical origin is important. If risk factors are present, fundoscopy should be performed every three months during pregnancy and one should always be aware of any visual symptoms. If you suspect reactivation, start medical prophylaxis for fetal transmission, perform amniocentesis and regular ultrasound follow-up.

Gravidez após Colocação de Banda Gástrica para Tratamento da Obesidade Mórbida

Obesity is known to have a negative impact on pregnancy outcome, as it is associated with an increase in the incidence of gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, neural tube defects, macrosomia, and late fetal death. Gastric banding is considered an appropriate intervention for morbid obesity when other weight-loss measures are unsuccessful, and this treatment has been shown to be effective in causing a sustainable weight loss. Some women will become pregnant after bariatric surgery, and the nutritional and metabolic challenges brought by gastric banding may have a profound impact on maternal health and pregnancy outcome. The authors report the case of a 27 year old pregnant woman, with a past medical history of gastric banding surgery for morbid obesity. At 18 weeks of gestation, the patient started complaining of severe nausea and vomiting, The situation deteriorated three weeks later when she rapidly developed severe desnutrition, dehydration and early signs of liver and renal failure. Migration of the gastric band was diagnosed, and laparoscopy conducted to remove it. In the day following surgery the patient complained of absent fetal movements, and an intrauterine demise was diagnosed on ultrasound. Pathological examination of the fetus and placenta failed to reveal the cause of death, but no growth restriction was documented, suggesting the occurrence of an acute event.

Insuficiência Renal Aguda na Gravidez

Nas últimas décadas, houve um declínio marcado da incidência global da insuficiência renal aguda (IRA) associada a causas obstétricas nos países desenvolvidos, devendo-se à melhoria significativa dos cuidados perinatais e à diminuição do número de abortos sépticos. Não obstante, a IRA ainda ocorre, tendo uma mortalidade elevada durante o período agudo, não sendo rara a progressão para insuficiência renal terminal. A IRA durante a gravidez pode ter várias causas, as quais são diferentes na primeira e na segunda metades da gravidez. Numa fase inicial da gravidez os problemas mais comuns são a doença prérenal devido à hiperémese gravídica e a necrose tubular aguda resultante do aborto séptico. Nos estadios mais tardios, pode ser causada por necrose tubular aguda ou necrose cortical renal, as quais podem ser originadas no contexto de várias situações, tais como a pré-eclampsia e/ou eclampsia, o descolamento prematuro da placenta, a placenta prévia, a hemorragia pós parto, o fígado gordo da gravidez e a embolia do líquido amniótico. Pode ainda ser causada pelo síndrome hemolítico-urémico pós-parto e a obstrução do aparelho urinário, entre outras. Na abordagem terapêutica da IRA na gravidez, é preconizada a colaboração estreita entre obstetra e nefrologista, devendo o tratamento ser individualizado.

Morte Fetal Tardia - O Que Podemos Aprender?

Resumo: Realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo, comparativo sobre gestações com idade gestacional (IG) igual ou superior a 28 semanas, cujo parto resultou no nascimento de nado morto (n= 111) ou de nado-vivo (n= 16863), entre 2000 a 2004, na Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa. Resultados: Não houve diferenças estatisticamente significativas na comparação da idade materna (28,9 vs 29,3; p= 0,3) e etnia. O grupo de mulheres com idade> 35 anos foi inferior no grupo da mortalidade fetal (18% vs. 26%, p= NS). A grande multiparidade associou-se significativamente com morte fetal tardia (3,6 vs. 0,7; p<0,005). A análise dos factores etiológicos mostrou que na maioria destas situações se identificam causas placentares, maternas ou funiculares. A morte fetal inexplicada representa 36% dos casos. Conclusões: O estudo da fetomortalidade é importante no esclarecimento dos pais e permite identificar etiologias passíveis de prevenção. A morte fetal inexplicada constitui ainda uma parcela significativa na mortalidade perinatal. A Fetopatologia e o estudo anatomo-patológico da placenta constituem instrumentos fundamentais para a sua compreensão.

Gravidez e Amamentação. Efeitos Secundários dos Fármacos Usados no Tratamento das Doenças da Tiróide, Sobre o Feto e o Recém-Nascido

Os autores referem os efeitos secundários, sobre o feto e o recém-nascido, dos antitiroideus de síntese, dos bloqueadores ß, dos iodetos, do iodoradiactivo(131I), carbonato de lítio e tiroxina. Os fármacos mais frequentemente utilizados são os antitiroideus de síntese e a tiroxina. Os riscos dos antitiroideus estão relacionados com o facto de atravessarem a barreira placentar e poderem provocar bócio e hipotiroidismo fetais. As hormonas tiroideias maternas, que atravessam a placenta, são muito importantes para o normal desenvolvimento neuronal de feto durante o primeiro trimestre.

Two Novel CMY-2-Type β-Lactamases Encountered in Clinical Escherichia Coli Isolates

BACKGROUND: Chromosomally encoded AmpC β-lactamases may be acquired by transmissible plasmids which consequently can disseminate into bacteria lacking or poorly expressing a chromosomal bla AmpC gene. Nowadays, these plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases are found in different bacterial species, namely Enterobacteriaceae, which typically do not express these types of β-lactamase such as Klebsiella spp. or Escherichia coli. This study was performed to characterize two E. coli isolates collected in two different Portuguese hospitals, both carrying a novel CMY-2-type β-lactamase-encoding gene. FINDINGS: Both isolates, INSRA1169 and INSRA3413, and their respective transformants, were non-susceptible to amoxicillin, amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, cephalothin, cefoxitin, ceftazidime and cefotaxime, but susceptible to cefepime and imipenem, and presented evidence of synergy between cloxacilin and cefoxitin and/or ceftazidime. The genetic characterization of both isolates revealed the presence of bla CMY-46 and bla CMY-50 genes, respectively, and the following three resistance-encoding regions: a Citrobacter freundii chromosome-type structure encompassing a blc-sugE-bla CMY-2-type -ampR platform; a sul1-type class 1 integron with two antibiotic resistance gene cassettes (dfrA1 and aadA1); and a truncated mercury resistance operon. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes two new bla CMY-2-type genes in E. coli isolates, located within a C. freundii-derived fragment, which may suggest their mobilization through mobile genetic elements. The presence of the three different resistance regions in these isolates, with diverse genetic determinants of resistance and mobile elements, may further contribute to the emergence and spread of these genes, both at a chromosomal or/and plasmid level.

O Papel da Aspirina na Prevenção da Pré-Eclâmpsia: Estado da Arte

Introdução: O papel do ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS ou aspirina) na prevenção das complicações associadas à pré-eclâmpsia tem sido objeto de estudos e de controvérsias ao longo de 30 anos. Os primeiros trabalhos de investigação acerca do papel da placenta na génese da pré-eclâmpsia surgiram em finais dos anos 70 e assinalavam um aumento da atividade plaquetária e alteração da síntese das prostaglandinas, como consequência da deficiente adaptação da placenta. Ao longo dos últimos 20 anos do século XX, sucederam-se estudos de investigação acerca do papel profilático da aspirina na redução do risco de pré-eclâmpsia. Material e Métodos: Para analisar os trabalhos publicados sobre o uso da aspirina na prevenção da pré-eclâmpsia, bem como sobre a dose mais adequada e momento de administração, foram consultados apenas estudos prospetivos, revisões sistemáticas e meta-análises através das seguintes fontes pesquisa (PubMed, Cochrane, Embase). Os artigos citados foram considerados os mais relevantes. Os trabalhos foram divididos em dois grupos: no primeiro foram incluídos os trabalhos em que a aspirina era administrada até às 16 semanas e o segundo, com início de administração por um período mais alargado. Resultados e Discussão: No primeiro grupo, com menor número de casos, mas com início mais precoce de administração do fármaco, até às 16 semanas, concluiu-se que a aspirina poderia ter um papel positivo na redução de risco de gravidade da pré-eclâmpsia; o segundo grupo, com maior número de casos nos estudos, mas com condições menos restritas de entrada e de tempo de início do fármaco, teve resultados mais controversos. As meta-análises destes estudos concluíram que os resultados favoráveis estavam associados às condições de e momento da administração. Conclusão: Não existindo ainda alternativas ou fármacos que lhe possam ser associados, a aspirina em baixas doses (80 a 150 mg/dia) ao deitar, iniciada no 1º trimestre e até às 16 semanas mantém-se um fármaco seguro, que tem contribuído para redução do risco de pré-eclâmpsia precoce, com as consequências que lhe estão associadas.

Miocardiopatia Periparto. Paragem Cardiorespiratória Pós-Parto Complicada por Acretismo Placentar

Peripartum cardiomiopathy is a rare and life-threatening cardiac disease that affects young women previously healthy, during the peripartum period. It is a form of dilated cardiomyopathy with left-sided systolic dysfunction, which may lead to symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure. The exclusion diagnosis is based essentially on clinical presentation and initial symptoms may mimic physiologic alterations of pregnancy. The authors present a case of a 34 week multiple gestation with a growth restriction of one of the fetus and with a suspicion of a mild pre-eclampsia, motive by which we decided labour induction. During placental expulsion, in which we noticed difficulty in finding placental cleavage, the patient presented an assistoly, recovering after cardiorespiratory reanimation. However, the profuse bleeding after labour leaded to a life saving hysterectomy. Histological examination revealed placenta accreta. The echocardiography performed post-operatively diagnosed a dilated cardiomyopathy.

Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Resistance and Cross-Decreased Susceptibility to Oseltamivir and Zanamivir Antiviral Drugs

Neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) oseltamivir and zanamivir are currently the only effective antiviral drugs available worldwide for the management of influenza. The potential development of resistance is continually threatening their use, rationalizing and highlighting the need for a close and sustained evaluation of virus susceptibility. This study aimed to analyze and characterize the phenotypic and genotypic NAIs susceptibility profiles of A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses circulating in Portugal from 2009 to 2010/2011. A total of 144 cases of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection from community and hospitalized patients were studied, including three suspected cases of clinical resistance to oseltamivir. Oseltamivir resistance was confirmed for two of the suspected cases. Neuraminidase (NA) H275Y resistant marker was found in viruses from both cases but for one it was only present in 26.2% of virus population, raising questions about the minimal percentage of resistant virus that should be considered relevant. Cross-decreased susceptibility to oseltamivir and zanamivir (2-4 IC50 fold-change) was detected on viruses from two potentially linked community patients from 2009. Both viruses harbored the NA I223V mutation. NA Y155H mutation was found in 18 statistical non-outlier viruses from 2009, having no impact on virus susceptibility. The mutations at NA N369K and V241I may have contributed to the significantly higher baseline IC50 value obtained to oseltamivir for 2010/2011 viruses, compared to viruses from the pandemic period. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between phenotype and genotype, which is currently challenging, and to the global assessment of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus susceptibility profile and baseline level to NAIs.

Estudo da fosfatase alcalina sérica e formas isodinâmicas na esquistossomose mansônica

O estudo das formas isodinâmicas da fosfatase alcalina sérica em pacientes esquistossomáticos, revelou modificações de suas propriedades físico-químicas na fase hépato intestinal e hepatosplênica compensada e descompensada, comparando-se com as da fosfatase alcalina sérica de indivíduos considerados como normais. Por filtração molecular em Sephadex G-200 foi possível separarar três (3) formas moleculares distintas de fosfatase alcalina sérica na esquistossomose mansônica hepatosplênica compensada e descompensada, duas das quais se apresentaram como termorresistentes, diferindo das equivalentes formas isodinâmicas de soro normal, que são termolábeis. Na fase hépato intestinal da esquistossomose mansônica, empregando a mesma metodologia, foi detectada uma única forma da fosfatase alcalina, termolábil, que parece corresponder à primeira forma isodinâmica do soro normal. Foi também realizado um estudo das diferentes formas moleculares de fosfatase alcalina humana de: fígado, intestino delgado, osso e placenta provenientes de tecidos considerados normais, bem como do extrato de Schistosoma mansoni.

Estúdio prospectivo de la enfermedad de chagas en recien nacidos con infección placent aria por Trypanosoma cruzi (Santa Cruz-Bolivia)

Para conocer la significación de la infección placentaria por T. cruzi, 820 recien nacidos (RN) con peso ≤ 2500 grs fueron examinados por los métodos del Strouty cortes histopatológicos de placenta. 35 RN presentaron infección placentaria por T. cruzi, pero con el examen parasitológico directo en sangre del cordon umbilical negativo. A estos RN se les hizó el seguimiento parasitologico (microhematocrito y xenodiagnóstico) para detectar una eventual positivación enel post-parto. El seguimiento fué a los 7, 15, 30 y 60 dias después del nacimiento y con xenodiagnóstico a los 15 dias. En 27 RN se pudo completar el seguimiento observandose una positivación parasitaria a T. cruzi en todos los casos. En el grupo control constituído por RN negativos a ambos métodos, no hubo ninguna positivación durante el seguimiento. Estas observaciones nos permiten proponer, que un recien nacido con infección placentaria por T. cruzi es un caso congênito y establecer un esquema práctico de diagnóstico precoz de la enfermedad de Chagas congénito.