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[Human chagasic placenta: structural and cytochemical changes of blood vessels]
1Ila. Cátedra de Histología, Embriología y Genética e Instituto de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
Insights
Chagas
Area of Science:
- Pathology
- Vascular Biology
- Obstetrics & Gynecology
Context:
- Chagas' disease can affect cardiac health.
- Congenital transmission of Chagas' disease is a concern.
- Placental vascular changes are implicated in disease pathogenesis.
Purpose:
- To investigate structural and cytochemical changes in blood vessels of human term placentas from women with Chagas' disease.
- To evaluate the role of these vascular alterations in the congenital transmission of Chagas' disease.
Summary:
- Microscopic examination of placentas from women with Chagas' disease revealed diminished and occluded chorionic villi blood vessels.
- Vessel walls showed a hyaline appearance, and endothelial cells exhibited increased acid phosphatase activity.
- These changes suggest smooth muscle and endothelial involvement in reduced blood vessel lumen size.
Impact:
- Highlights potential vascular mechanisms in Chagas' disease pathogenesis.
- Provides insights into the structural basis of placental involvement in congenital Chagas' disease.
- Suggests further research into endothelial and smooth muscle cell roles in Chagasic placentas.
Abstract:
Various authors have demonstrated that coronary blood vessels could have some participation in the pathogenesis of the cardiac alterations of Chagas' disease. The purpose of this work was to detect structural and cytochemical modifications of blood vessels in human chagasic placentas at term with optical and electron microscopy due their possible participation in the pathogenesis of the congenital transmission of the disease. In two of the six chagasic placentas at term from pregnant women with positive serology, there was diminution and occlusion of the lumen of the chorionic villi blood vessels, with hialine aspect of their walls. An increase of acid phosphatase activity in the endothelium was also observed with electron microscopy. The diminished blood vessel lumen could be due to smooth muscle and endothelium participation.