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Second-trimester abortion caused by Capnocytophaga sputigena: case report
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Turku, Finland.
Abstract:
Intra-amniotic infection is often the cause of a second-trimester abortion. The bacterial species involved include bacteria with low pathogenicity like Ureaplasma urealyticum and various Mycoplasma species. In this case we describe an intra-amniotic infection caused by Capnocytophaga sputigena, often found in the normal bacterial flora of the oral cavity, but not in the vagina. Oral sex during pregnancy was the most probable source of the infection. The aborted fetus showed signs of pneumonia upon histologic examination. The bacterial species was identified using broad-spectrum 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) directly from the amniotic fluid and after bacterial culture. Amniotic fluid glucose was below detection level, confirming the presence of an intra-amniotic infection.
Insights
Intra-amniotic infection can cause second-trimester abortions. This case highlights Capnocytophaga sputigena, from oral sex, as a rare cause of fetal pneumonia and abortion.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Intra-amniotic infection is a common cause of mid-trimester pregnancy loss.
- Typically, infections involve low-pathogenicity bacteria like Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma species.
Observation:
- This report details a rare case of intra-amniotic infection caused by Capnocytophaga sputigena.
- Capnocytophaga sputigena is a bacterium typically found in the oral cavity, not the vagina.
- The infection was likely transmitted through oral sex during pregnancy.
Findings:
- The aborted fetus exhibited histological evidence of pneumonia.
- Broad-spectrum 16S rDNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and bacterial culture identified Capnocytophaga sputigena in the amniotic fluid.
- Low amniotic fluid glucose levels confirmed intra-amniotic infection.
Implications:
- This case expands the spectrum of bacteria implicated in intra-amniotic infections and pregnancy loss.
- It underscores the potential risk of oral sex during pregnancy in transmitting oral flora to the genital tract.
- Highlights the importance of considering diverse bacterial etiologies in unexplained fetal loss and pneumonia.