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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
Campylobacters and impaired fetal development in mice
A M O'Sullivan1, C J Doré, C R Coid
1Division of Comparative Medicine, Clinical Research Centre, Harrow.
Journal of Medical Microbiology
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Campylobacter fetus and Campylobacter jejuni strains differentially impact pregnancy in mice. Certain strains, particularly C. fetus, impaired implantation and caused fetal resorption, suggesting bacterial factors affect early embryonic development.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Microbiology
- Perinatal medicine
Background:
- Campylobacter species are significant human pathogens.
- Understanding their impact on pregnancy is crucial for public health.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated strain-specific effects on pregnancy outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of different human strains of Campylobacter fetus subspecies fetus and Campylobacter jejuni on pregnancy in a mouse model.
- To determine if the timing of infection influences the outcome.
- To explore potential mechanisms, such as endotoxin involvement.
Main Methods:
- Intravenous injection of eight human Campylobacter strains into pregnant mice at different gestational stages (days 2, 6, and 13).
- Assessment of implantation rates, fetal growth, and fetal resorption.
- Inoculation with heat-killed organisms to evaluate the role of bacterial components.
Main Results:
- C. fetus ss fetus significantly impaired implantation when injected on day 2 of pregnancy.
- Both C. fetus ss fetus and C. jejuni impaired fetal growth on day 6, prior to placental circulation.
- On day 13, after placental circulation developed, six of eight strains caused embryo resorption.
- Heat-killed organisms and endotoxin-like substances were implicated in embryo resorption.
Conclusions:
- Significant strain-dependent differences exist in the ability of Campylobacter to affect pregnancy.
- Early pregnancy (day 2) is sensitive to C. fetus ss fetus, affecting implantation.
- Later pregnancy (day 13) is vulnerable to multiple strains, leading to resorption, potentially mediated by endotoxins or other bacterial factors.
