[Amnionic infection syndrome by retro-amniotic uterine abscess: false-negative bacteriological diagnostic...

In general intra-amniotic infection causes severe fetal compromise. Prematurity resulting from preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, maternal fever, maternal or fetal septicemia and fetal tachycardia is the major problem of this clinical syndrome. Therefore early detection of chorioamnionitis gains high prospective value. Gram's staining method from amniotic fluid provides a quick and reliable diagnostic tool (sensitivity 63.8%, specificity 97.7%). A localized extra-amniotic abscess demonstrates the special case of a false negative amniocentesis performed for bacteriological reasons.

In suspected amniotic infection the obstetrical management has always to take into account all different parameters--clinical symptoms, chemistry and microbiological analysis. Nevertheless Gram's stain is a reliable and quick method to verify amniotic infection syndrome.