A randomized placebo-controlled trial of erythromycin for the treatment of Ureaplasma urealyticum to prevent premature delivery. The Vaginal Infections and Prematurity Study Group

Ureaplasma urealyticum has been associated with low birth weight and histologic chorioamnionitis and it is a frequent isolate from the chorioamnion of patients who are delivered prematurely. In prior clinical trials using antibiotics active against U. urealyticum, antibiotic treatment was associated with reduced prematurity and increased mean birth weight. In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial, pregnant women with U. urealyticum were treated with 333 mg of erythromycin base or placebo three times daily, starting between 26 and 30 weeks' gestation and continuing through 35 completed weeks of pregnancy. Women with urinary tract infection or Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection were excluded from the trial, and women with Chlamydia trachomatis or group B streptococci were excluded from these analyses. Erythromycin did not eliminate U. urealyticum from the lower genital tract. There were no significant differences between erythromycin- and placebo-treated women in infant birth weight or gestational age at delivery, in frequency of premature rupture of membranes, or in neonatal outcome.     

The epidemiology of group B streptococcal colonization in pregnancy. Vaginal Infections and Prematurity Study Group

Risk factors for cervicovaginal group B streptococcal colonization at 23-26 weeks' gestation were studied in 7742 women participating in the Vaginal Infections and Prematurity study. The prevalence of group B Streptococcus was 18.6%, and was greatest in (predominantly Caribbean) Hispanics from New York City, followed by blacks, whites, and other (predominantly Mexican) Hispanics. Group B Streptococcus was more common among older women and women of lower parity, and less common among women living with their partner compared with those living alone. Current smoking was associated with a decreased risk of colonization, and group B Streptococcus was less common among women with more education. Increased risk was seen only with extreme increases in sexual activity including both frequent intercourse and multiple partners during the previous year. The risk of colonization was greater when there was concurrent colonization with Candida sp, but group B Streptococcus was not associated with carriage of Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma hominis. External genital erythema and scaling, purulent vaginal discharge, and pH greater than 5 were associated with increased colonization. Although these associations can raise the clinical index of suspicion for group B streptococcal colonization in a given patient, the study data did not enable us to select a small group of women with a very high probability of colonization. We conclude that selective screening is not useful in detecting group B streptococcal colonization in pregnancy.     

Adverse outcome in pregnancy following amniotic fluid isolation of Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Infections in pregnancy with Ureaplasma urealyticum have been associated with a wide range of adverse outcomes, such as early abortion, stillbirth, prematurity, and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Causality has been difficult to demonstrate secondary to the high prevalence of asymptomatic lower genital tract (LGT) colonization and culture data from inaccessible or potentially contaminated sites. Between 1985 and 1989, 2461 second-trimester genetic amniocenteses were evaluated at the cytogenetics section of the Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron. All were cultured for the genital mycoplasmas: Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum. A total of nine patients were positive, all for Ureaplasma urealyticum, with one patient excluded because of subsequent therapeutic abortion. In addition, complete follow-up data, such as indication for amniocentesis, serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, gestational age at parturition, and outcome of pregnancy, were available on 86 Ureaplasma-negative (U-) patients during an approximate 2-year span within the time-frame of the study. This was in part due to physician response to a questionnaire sent after amniocentesis. Of the eight positive cultures, 100 per cent were associated with an adverse outcome, defined as fetal loss or premature delivery. This was significant compared with the U- group (p less than 0.001) with a more than eight times greater risk of adverse outcome. Six (75 per cent) resulted in spontaneous miscarriage within 4 weeks of amniocentesis and at less than 21 weeks' gestation. Two (25 per cent) delivered prematurely, with one (12.5 per cent) neonatal death at 24+ weeks. Histological examination of all eight placentae and the seven fetuses revealed a 100 per cent incidence of chorioamnionitis and pneumonia, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Demographic and behavioral predictors of Trichomonas vaginalis infection among pregnant women. The Vaginal Infections and Prematurity Study Group

There is little available information on the demographic and behavioral factors associated with Trichomonas vaginalis in pregnant women. Among 13,816 women from six urban clinic centers, the prevalence rate by culture at mid-pregnancy was 12.6%. Women colonized with T vaginalis were significantly more likely to be black, cigarette smokers, unmarried, and less educated (all P less than .01). Several behavioral factors associated with T vaginalis included greater numbers of sexual partners both lifetime and in the last year, 5 years or more of sexual activity, and a history of gonorrhea (all P less than .01). Trichomonas vaginalis-colonized women were less sexually active in the preceding month compared with uncolonized women (P less than .01). Women using either barrier or oral contraception in the 6 months before becoming pregnant were far less likely to be colonized (P less than .01). Other factors such as age, gravidity, income level, age at first coitus, and use of antibiotics, alcohol, or douche during pregnancy were not independently associated with T vaginalis colonization. Because many of the factors predictive of increased risk of colonization have also been shown to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, they should be considered in assessing the association of T vaginalis with adverse pregnancy outcome.     

Characteristics of three vaginal flora patterns assessed by gram stain among pregnant women. Vaginal Infections and Prematurity Study Group.

This study was undertaken to define the characteristics and persistence of vaginal flora in 7918 pregnant women at 23 to 26 weeks' gestation. Vaginal smears were categorized as normal (predominant lactobacilli), intermediate (reduced lactobacilli), or positive for bacterial vaginosis. The women with normal flora were least likely to have elevated vaginal pH, amine odor, milky discharge, or colonization by Gardnerella, Bacteroides, or genital mycoplasmas. Women with intermediate vaginal flora had intermediate frequencies of these clinical signs and microorganisms. Group B streptococci and yeast were associated with normal or intermediate flora, whereas Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis were recovered more frequently from women with intermediate flora or bacterial vaginosis. Trichomonas vaginalis was most associated with intermediate flora. At follow-up, 81% of the women with normal flora had remained normal. Of the women with intermediate flora, 32% acquired bacterial vaginosis and 30% shifted to normal flora. Only 12% of the women with bacterial vaginosis had shifted to normal flora. We conclude that there are two primary stable vaginal flora patterns (normal flora or bacterial vaginosis) and a third less distinct transitional flora pattern between these two.     

Evaluation of the Gram stain as a screening tool for maternal carriage of group B beta-hemolytic streptococci. The Vaginal Infections and Prematurity Study Group.

To determine the usefulness of the vaginal Gram stain as a screen for maternal group B streptococcal carriage, we compared the presence of gram-positive cocci on Gram stain with a cervicovaginal culture in 7755 women at 23-26 weeks' gestation and in 1452 women at delivery. Group B streptococci were isolated from 18.4% of women at 23-26 weeks and 14.9% of women at delivery. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the Gram stain were 28, 69, 17, and 81%, respectively, in mid-gestation and 34, 72, 18, and 86%, respectively, at delivery. The presence of gram-positive cocci on Gram stain was strongly associated with the isolation of Gardnerella vaginalis and with the presence of bacterial vaginosis. We conclude that most gram-positive cocci seen on Gram stain are probably anaerobes or micrococci and that the vaginal Gram stain is neither sensitive nor specific enough to be of use as a tool in the diagnosis of maternal group B streptococcal carriage.     

Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in midtrimester amniotic fluid: association with amniotic fluid cytokine levels and pregnancy outcome

OBJECTIVE: The association between the detection of Mycoplasma hominis or Ureaplasma urealyticum in midtrimester amniotic fluid and amniotic fluid cytokine concentrations and subsequent pregnancy outcome were examined. STUDY DESIGN: Amniocentesis was performed between 15 and 19 weeks of gestation in 179 asymptomatic women. Aliquots were assayed for M hominis and U urealyticum by polymerase chain reaction coupled to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intra-amniotic levels of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pregnancy outcomes were obtained after the completion of all testing. RESULTS: U urealyticum was detected in 22 of 172 amniotic fluids (12.8%); M hominis was present in 11 of 179 amniotic fluids (6.1%). There was no relationship between U urealyticum detection and the concentration of any cytokine. Detection of M hominis was associated with elevated intra-amniotic concentrations of interleukin-4 ( P = .01). Preterm premature rupture of membranes that was followed by preterm birth occurred in 5 women (2.8%); 5 women (2.8%) had a spontaneous preterm birth with intact membranes. All 5 of the women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (100%) tested positive for either U urealyticum or M hominis , as opposed to none of the women with spontaneous preterm birth and to 27 of 161 women (16.8%) with a term birth ( P = .0002). CONCLUSION: The detection of M hominis or U urealyticum in midtrimester amniotic fluid by polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay may be a risk factor for subsequent preterm premature rupture of membranes.     

女性生殖道支原体和衣原体感染对妊娠的影响

支原体和衣原体在人类中的致病性一直备受关注。近年来,女性生殖道支原体与衣原体感染率在逐年上升,并可致女性输卵管性不孕,妊娠期可上行感染胎盘、胎儿,造成流产、胎死宫内、早产、胎儿生长受限等。因此,预防及治疗二种病原体的感染对减少不良妊娠结局十分重要。1支原体及衣原体的致病机制1·1支原体目前人体分离出的支原体有20多种,其中至少5种已被确定是致病菌或条件致病菌,分别为肺炎支原体(MP)、解脲支原体(UU)、人型支原体(MH)、生殖支原体(MG)和发酵支原体(MF)。其致病机制大致如下[1]:(1)支原体分泌的有毒代谢产物破坏机体微生…     

The value of the secondary yolk sac in predicting pregnancy outcome.

One hundred and five consecutive women had transvaginal sonography (TVS) at less than 12 weeks gestation to establish the normal size and shape of the secondary yolk sac (YS) and to assess the YS measurements in predicting pregnancy outcome in the first trimester. A yolk sac diameter more or less than two standard deviation (2SD) from the mean predicted abnormal pregnancy outcome with a sensitivity of 91.4%, specificity of 66% and a positive predictive value of 88.8%. A normal YS size predicted normal pregnancy outcome with a sensitivity of 66%, specificity of 91.4% and a positive predictive value of 95.6%. It is recommended that patients at risk of poor pregnancy outcome should have routine TVS before 12 weeks gestation to assess their YS and those with an abnormal yolk sac should be followed-up closely to exclude fetal abnormalities before 24 weeks gestation.     

Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma-infected amniotic fluid: pregnancy outcome in treated and nontreated patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if treatment of a positive amniotic fluid culture for mycoplasmal colonization obtained at genetic amniocentesis is associated with improved pregnancy outcome. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of 2718 genetic amniocentesis specimens cultured for Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma was undertaken. Specimens were obtained between March 1993 and January 1997. The Irvine culture kit was used to culture all specimens. Data collected included indication for amniocentesis, gestational age at amniocentesis, karyotype, gestational age at delivery, pregnancy outcome, and any antimicrobial treatment. RESULTS: During this time period 44 patients were found to be culture-positive for Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma. Thirty-five were treated with oral erythromycin. Mid-trimester loss was 11.4% and 44.4% (p = 0.04) in the treated and untreated groups, respectively. Preterm delivery was similar in the two groups, 19.4% and 20% (p = NS). CONCLUSION: Treatment of an amniotic mycoplasmal colonization with erythromycin was associated with fewer mid-trimester losses after genetic amniocentesis. Preterm delivery rates between the two groups were similar, which may indicate recolonization.     

The efficacy of first-trimester PAPP-A and free beta hCG levels for predicting adverse pregnancy outcome

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether first-trimester measurements of maternal serum PAPP-A and free beta hCG levels were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: First trimester maternal serum free beta hCG and PAPP-A were measured in 490 singleton pregnancies. Pregnancies were followed by the fetal-maternal unit, and predictive efficacy of these markers for small for gestational age (SGA) babies, gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders were analyzed by cut-off values determined by using a ROC analysis, and also, by using the fifth percentile as the cut-off value. RESULTS: The sensitivities for PAPP-A in predicting pregnancies with a SGA baby and those complicated by a hypertensive disorder were 49% and 73%, respectively, when optimal cut-off values were used. Specificities were 76% and 65%, respectively. Serum free beta hCG had no predictive value for individual pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION: Efficacy of first trimester maternal serum markers in predicting adverse pregnancy outcome is low. Even after optimization of cut-off values, these markers do not appear to be clinically acceptable as an effective tool for screening for adverse pregnancy outcomes.     

The value of Ureaplasma urealyticum tracheal culture and treatment in premature infants following an acute respiratory deterioration.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if treatment of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu), found at the time of an acute respiratory deterioration, decreases the incidence of chronic lung disease (CLD) in very low birth weight infants (VLBW). STUDY DESIGN: Between 1996 and 1999, medical records of all mechanically ventilated VLBW infants, who had an acute respiratory deterioration, were reviewed for gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), gender, presence of CLD, Uu tracheal cultures, and erythromycin treatment. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients met our inclusion criteria (GA: 26.2+/-1.7 weeks, BW: 737+/-167.1 g (mean+/-SD)). Uu was present in 46.3% (38/82) of patients with CLD versus 50% (9/18) of patients without CLD (odds ratio 0.86 (CI: 0.31 to 2.39); p=0.77). Erythromycin treatment was not found to be protective against the development of CLD (odds ratio: 1.46 (CI: 0.25 to 8.31); p=0.66). CONCLUSION: Following an acute respiratory deterioration, tracheal isolation, and treatment of Uu may not decrease the incidence of CLD in VLBW infants.     

Antral follicle assessment after down-regulation may be a useful tool for predicting pregnancy loss in in vitro fertilization pregnancies.

Women with diminished ovarian reserve (OR) have a high rate of pregnancy loss. The relationship between hormonal OR tests and pregnancy loss has been studied previously, but, to our knowledge, that between the antral follicle count (AFC) and pregnancy loss has not. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether OR tests, including the AFC, can predict pregnancy loss in women achieving pregnancy by means of in vitro fertilization (IVF), and also to compare their predictive value. All women underwent a fresh cycle of intracytoplasmic sperm injection with a long protocol with mid-luteal start of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog, and antral follicles were counted on cycle day 3 following down-regulation. Pregnancy losses up to 12 gestational weeks (n=28) were compared with apparently healthy deliveries (n=34) in this retrospective analysis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of consecutive pregnancies (n=71) was performed to analyze the optimum cut-off value for the significantly different OR tests. Women with a pregnancy loss had a lower AFC than those with healthy deliveries. Age and hormonal OR tests were comparable between groups. The optimum cut-off value for the AFC to predict pregnancy loss was 7.5. AFC may be a useful tool for predicting pregnancy loss in IVF pregnancies.     

The significance of preoperative hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy for predicting the pregnancy outcome in patients with a bilateral hydrosalpinx

We analyzed the importance of 3 factors derived from the HSG (nature of the mucosal pattern, diameter of the hydrosalpinx, expandability of the ampulla) and of four factors from the findings at laparoscopy (extent of adhesions, nature of adhesions, thickness of tubal wall and diameter of the hydrosalpinx) for predicting the pregnancy outcome in 98 patients with bilateral hydrosalpinx. Each factor was categorized into 3 scores and each patient was scored for both the right and the left tube, resulting in 6 score-combinations. An association between the pregnancy prospects based on the score-combinations and the actual pregnancy outcome seemed to be present for all factors evaluated, except for the extent of adhesions and the diameter of the hydrosalpinx (laparoscopy). The results further indicate that a favourable score on the nature of mucosal pattern in one or both tubes concurs with good pregnancy prospects. In contrast, the presence of an unfavourable score for most of the other factors in at least one tube is associated with a poor fertility prognosis, regardless of the condition of the other tube.     

The Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 are not crucial for the completion of allogeneic pregnancy in mice.

The physiological protection from fetal rejection is believed to be dependent on a Th2 type of inflammatory response at the maternal-fetal interface and the cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 have been suggested to play a critical role. We here present data from breeding experiments with IL-10 and IL-4 double-deficient mice indicating that neither maternal nor feto-placental deficiency of these cytokines are crucial for fetal or neonatal survival. The present study does not analyse possible developmental effects of maternal or fetal IL-10 and IL-4 double-deficiency in detail, but shows that an apparently normal breeding can be achieved in different crossings, providing that the mice are kept under very clean conditions.     

妊娠早期梅毒筛查与治疗对妊娠结局的影响

妊娠合并梅毒不但危害孕妇健康,还可导致胎儿生长受限、非免疫性胎儿水肿、流产、早产、死胎和先天梅毒等不良妊娠结局。强调在妊娠早期进行梅毒筛查,对妊娠合并梅毒患者应用合适的青霉素制剂规范治疗和随访,并避免过度诊断和治疗先天梅毒。     

The impact of low back and pelvic pain in pregnancy on the pregnancy outcome.

The prevalence and characteristics of back pain were recorded in 855 women on nine occasions during pregnancy from the 12th to the 36th week of gestation. Data on delivery and pain relief were recorded. At 12 months post partum the women were reassessed regarding the presence of back pain. Women with a history of back pain had more intense pain (p less than 0.05). No correlation was observed between back pain (a) during pregnancy and (b) after pregnancy and delivery, nor between (a) the need for pain relief in labor and (b) birthweight, length and Apgar score. Back pain usually disappeared in the first 6 months post partum, except in women with recurrent back pain from previous pregnancies. Eighty-two percent of these women continued to have back pain at 18 months post partum, compared with 45% of all other multi-parous women (p less than 0.001).     

Predictive value of amniotic fluid and fetal blood cultures in pregnancy outcome in preterm prelabour rupture of membranes.

We carried out a comprehensive prospective study of 26 pregnancies complicated by preterm rupture of the membranes. Microbiological assessment included cultures for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, Mycoplasmas, Chlamydia, Trichomonas and fungi from: high vaginal and cervical swabs, maternal blood and urine, amniotic fluid and fetal blood on admission and finally, placenta and umbilical cord = after delivery. The group with positive cultures (n 16), was compared with the group with negative cultures = (n 10) in terms of gestational age at labour, latent phase after membrane rupture and fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. All patients with positive cultures delivered before 32 weeks and their neonates had evidence of infection. Three intrauterine deaths occurred in this group and 12/13 (86%) of the live neonates were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. The 10 (38%) patients of the group with negative cultures delivered after 32 weeks, had no perinatal deaths, and only two were admitted to neonatal intensive care. The median latent phase differed between these two groups (4.5 vs. 53.5 days, P 0.01), as did the median gestational age at labour (28 vs. 36 4 weeks, P 0.01). A positive amniotic fluid or fetal blood culture in the clinical setting of preterm rupture of the membranes indicates labour onset within a few days. Intrauterine infection with fetal sepsis is accompanied by high neonatal infectious morbidity (100%) and mortality (30%).