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Updated: Mar 23, 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
EXPERIMENTAL PARACOCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS IN PREGNANT RATS
Eduardo Alexandre Loth1, Vanessa Cecatto1, Samia Khalil Biazim1
1Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Cascavel, PR, Brasil.
Abstract:
Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), is the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. There are few reports in the literature about the disease damages during pregnancy and the consequences to the fetuses and breeding. This study evaluated the implications of PCM during pregnancy on offspring and mothers in Wistar rats. Groups of rats were submitted to systemic Pb infection, by intraperitoneal infusion, and mated 30 days after the infection date. Immediately after birth, rats and neonates were sacrificed to obtain organs for standard histological examination, morphometric analysis, fungi recovery by plating (CFU) and dosing of anti-Pb antibodies by ELISA. There were no stillbirths or miscarriages, however, the fetuses from infected pregnant rats had lower body and organ weight but the fertility rate was 100%. The largest number of CFU was recovered from the organ of pregnant rats, the pathological examination revealed more severe infection in the same group, further on the largest number of granulomas and fungal field. It can be concluded that the PCM was more severe in the group of pregnant rats, with implications to the weight of offspring.
Insights
Pregnancy with Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) in rats led to more severe maternal infections and lower offspring body weight, despite a 100% fertility rate. This study highlights PCM
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), a systemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), is prevalent in Latin America.
- Limited data exists on PCM's impact during pregnancy on mothers and fetuses.
- This study investigates PCM's effects on pregnant Wistar rats and their offspring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the implications of systemic Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection during pregnancy in a rat model.
- To assess the consequences of maternal PCM on offspring development and maternal health.
- To provide insights into the management and understanding of fungal infections during gestation.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats were infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb) and mated 30 days post-infection.
- Offspring and mothers were analyzed immediately after birth via histology, morphometrics, fungal culture (CFU), and antibody ELISA.
- Fertility, stillbirths, miscarriages, body/organ weights, and infection severity (granulomas, fungal load) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Maternal PCM infection was more severe in pregnant rats, evidenced by higher fungal loads (CFU) and more extensive granulomas.
- Offspring from infected mothers exhibited reduced body and organ weights, though fertility rates remained at 100% with no stillbirths or miscarriages.
- Histopathological examination confirmed more severe fungal dissemination and pathological findings in infected pregnant rats.
Conclusions:
- Paracoccidioidomycosis during pregnancy in rats results in exacerbated maternal infection.
- Offspring born to infected mothers show impaired growth, indicated by lower body and organ weights.
- The study underscores the significant impact of PCM on maternal health and fetal development, necessitating further research.
