Chronic intrauterine and fetal infection with Gardnerella vaginalis

Robert S. McDuffie, Mirjam Kunze, Jane Barr, Douglas Wolf, Chun I. Sze, Robert Shikes, Michael Sherman, Ronald S. Gibbs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We sought to develop a model of chronic intrauterine and fetal infection with Gardnerella vaginalis. STUDY DESIGN: The uterine horns of pregnant New Zealand White rabbits were inoculated on day 21 of gestation with either 107 colony-forming units (cfu) of G vaginalis or saline solution. At necropsy, cultures were taken from blood, uterus, amniotic fluid, and fetal tissues. Amniotic fluid was assayed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α by bioassay. Maternal and fetal tissue samples were evaluated using the histologic index score. A P value <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Compared with saline solution-inoculated animals, the G vaginalis group had significantly more positive cultures from uterus, amniotic fluid, and fetal brain and lung (P = .02 to <.01). For the G vaginalis group, mean TNF-α levels and fetal brain scores increased significantly over time (P < .001 for both). CONCLUSION: Chronic intrauterine and fetal infection with G vaginalis is accompanied by progressive increases in amniotic fluid TNF-α concentrations and fetal brain histologic index scores.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1263-1266
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume187
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002 Nov 1

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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