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Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Poor perinatal outcome associated with maternal Brucella abortus infection
F D Malone1, A Athanassiou, L A Nores
1Division of Material-Fetal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA. fergal.malone@es.nemc.org
Background:
Reports suggest that perinatal infection with Brucella abortus does not cause poor obstetric outcomes, because of protective mechanisms in the human, not seen in animal species.
Case:
We report a case of maternal brucellosis resulting in preterm labor, chorioamnionitis, placental abruption, and delivery of a live-born infant at 25 weeks' gestational age. Both maternal blood cultures and amniotic fluid cultures were positive for B abortus species, and delivery occurred despite aggressive antibiotic and tocolytic therapy.
Conclusion:
Maternal infection with B abortus during pregnancy can lead to significant perinatal morbidity, casting doubt on reports that human pregnancy is resistant to such infection.
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