Placental and fetal candidiasis. Presentation of a case of an abortus

The authors present a case of intrauterine fetal infection by candida, in an abortion of four months, associated with an I.U.D. In the placenta and adnexa we observed an acute inflammation consisting of extraplacental membranitis, omphalitis, chorio-amnionitis and choriovasculitis with a marked villitis and intervillitis. In the fetus, involvement of the skin, lungs and pharynx was observed. This case represents, probably the 15th reported instance of congenital fetal candidiasis, and the first case of a candida hematogenic placental infection acquired from the fetal blood. The fetus undoubtedly acquired its infection by an ascending route, through the contamined amniotic fluid.