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Updated: May 2, 2026
A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
Published on: June 24, 2020
Intrauterine Candida albicans infection elicits severe inflammation in fetal sheep
Matthew S Payne1, Matthew W Kemp1, Suhas G Kallapur2
1School of Women's and Infants' Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Background:
Preventing preterm birth and subsequent adverse neonatal sequelae is among the greatest clinical challenges of our time. Recent studies suggest a role for Candida spp. in preterm birth and fetal injury, as a result of their colonization of either the vagina and/or the amniotic cavity. We hypothesized that intraamniotic Candida albicans would cause a vigorous, acute fetal inflammatory response.
Methods:
Sheep carrying singleton pregnancies received single intraamniotic injections of either saline (control) or 10(7) colony-forming units C. albicans 1 or 2 d prior to surgical delivery and euthanasia at 124 ± 2 d gestation.
Results:
Colonization of the amniotic cavity by C. albicans resulted in a modest inflammatory response at 1 d and florid inflammation at 2 d, characterized by fetal thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and significant increases of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in the fetal membranes skin, lung, and the amniotic fluid.
Conclusion:
Acute colonization of the amniotic cavity by C. albicans causes severe intrauterine inflammation and fetal injury. C. albicans is a potent fetal pathogen that can contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
