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[Intrauterine infections in the perinatal period]
Abstract:
The results of examinations of autopsy materials in Leningrad and the data from the literature indicate that infectious diseases occupy a significant place in perinatal mortality. It is emphasized that if the autopsy materials are not sufficiently examined using not only light but also immunofluorescent microscopy, a considerable portion of these infections is not diagnosed and the pathological proprocess in such cases in considered to be aspiration pneumonia, hyaline membrane disease, etc. The paper briefly characterizes intrauterine bacterial infections (listeriasis, syphilis, staphylococcal infections, etc.) with special reference to virus diseases (cytomegaly, herpes infection, lesions caused by respiratory viruses, etc) and mycoplasmosis. It is shown that a relatively high incidence of lesions is caused by respiratory viruses and particularly mycoplasma. The possibility of protozoan and mycotic lesions is also indicated. The frequent occurrence of combined intrauterine infections is emphasized.
Insights
Infectious diseases are a major cause of perinatal mortality. Insufficient autopsy examination misses many infections, leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment, impacting infant survival rates.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal pathology
- Infectious diseases
- Microbiology
Context:
- Autopsy examinations in Leningrad and literature review reveal infectious diseases as a significant factor in perinatal mortality.
- Current diagnostic methods, including light microscopy, often fail to identify a substantial portion of these infections.
- Pathological findings are frequently misattributed to conditions like aspiration pneumonia or hyaline membrane disease.
Purpose:
- To highlight the underdiagnosis of intrauterine infections due to inadequate autopsy examination.
- To characterize various intrauterine infections, including bacterial, viral, protozoan, and mycotic agents.
- To emphasize the prevalence of combined intrauterine infections and the role of specific pathogens like respiratory viruses and Mycoplasma.
Summary:
- Infectious agents, including Listeria, syphilis, Staphylococcus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, respiratory viruses, and Mycoplasma, contribute significantly to perinatal mortality.
- Immunofluorescent microscopy is crucial for accurate diagnosis, as light microscopy alone is insufficient.
- Respiratory viruses and Mycoplasma are particularly common, and combined infections are frequent.
Impact:
- Improved diagnostic accuracy through advanced microscopy can lead to better understanding and management of perinatal infections.
- Recognizing the full spectrum of intrauterine infections can inform public health strategies and improve neonatal outcomes.
- This research underscores the need for comprehensive autopsy protocols to accurately identify infectious causes of perinatal death.