Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2015;37(5):203-207
DOI 10.1590/SO100-720320150005293
To determine the frequency of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the placenta, in the
colostrum and in the umbilical cord blood of parturient women and their newborns
assisted at the Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the University Hospital of
Rio Grande (RS), Brazil.
Biopsies were collected from 150 placentas on the maternal side, 150 on the fetal
side, 138 samples of umbilical cord blood and 118 of the colostrum. The placenta
biopsies were collected from the central and peripheral portions. DNA was
extracted according to the manufacturer's protocol and to a reference found in the
literature. HPV was detected by the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR-Nested)
using primers MY09/11 and GP5/GP6. Genotyping was performed by direct sequencing.
The participants responded to a self-applied questionnaire with demographic and
clinical data, in order to characterize the sample.
HPV was detected in 4% (6/150) of cases on the mother's side of the placentas, in
3.3% (5/150) on the fetal side, in 2.2% (3/138) in umbilical cord blood and in
0.84% (1/118) in colostrum samples. The vertical transmission rate was 50%. HPV-6
was the low-risk genotype found (60%) and the high-risk genotypes were HPV-16 and
HPV-18 (20% each).
These results suggest that HPV can infect the placenta, the colostrum and the
umbilical cord blood.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(12):555-561
DOI 10.1590/So100-720320140005155
To determine if illicit drug use increases the vertical transmission of HIV, to identify the risk factors involved in mother and child health and the prevalence of illicit drug use among these pregnant women.
Sixty-four (7.6%) of 845 pregnant women from the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, attended in the service between October 1997 and February 2012 reported the use of illicit drugs. Cases were HIV-positive drug users (n=64) and controls were women who did not use drugs (n=192). Three controls were selected for each case. Several conditions of exposure were considered in the control group such as tobacco use, alcohol use, alcohol and tobacco use, maternal age, educational level, ethnicity, and marital status. Problems during the prenatal period, delivery and postpartum, vertical HIV transmission and neonatal outcomes were also investigated.
Univariate analysis showed as significant variables: maternal age, tobacco use, number of prenatal care visits, antiretroviral therapy, mode of infection, and viral load at delivery. Logistic regression revealed as significant variables: maternal age (less than 25 years); tobacco use, and number of prenatal care visits (less than 6). The vertical transmission of HIV was 4,8% (95%CI 1.7–13.3) among drug users and 2,1% (95%CI 0.8–5.2) in the control group, with no statistically significant difference between groups. Neonatal complications were more frequent among drug users, but also with no statistically significant difference between groups.
The use of illicit drug is frequent during pregnancy among HIV-infected women. The approach to illicit drug use should be routine during prenatal care visits. These women are more discriminated against and tend to deny their habits or do not seek prenatal care. There was no difference in vertical virus transmission between groups, probably indicating adherence to antiretroviral use for antiretroviral therapies during pregnancy.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(12):535-540
DOI 10.1590/So100-720320140005086
To analyze the spatial distribution of the prevalence of anti-toxoplasma gondii antibodies in pregnant women from a Brazilian Northeast city, and to correlate such prevalence with average maternal age and place of residence.
A descriptive, analytical and ecological study was conducted from January 1st to December 31st 2012. Data were obtained retrospectively from the Medical Specialties Center database and processed with the Epi info statistical package (Epi 7, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA) and with Microsoft Excel 2010. The X2 test was applied to assess the association between the prevalence of antibodies to toxoplasma gondii and the average age. Spatial analysis of infection prevalence was performed using the TerraView software, version 4.2.2, with Kerneldensity estimation, which estimates the quantity of events through maps in order to identify areas with the highest concentration of cases in the city.
The seroprevalence of IgG was 68.5% (95%CI 67.2-69.8) and the prevalence of IgM was 0.36% (95%CI 0.23-0.6). A higher IgG prevalence was associated with increased age in the oldest neighborhoods of the state capital, whereas a higher IgG prevalence among younger women was detected in suburban neighborhoods. The spatial concentration of IgM antibodies was higher in suburban neighborhoods, with no significant correlation between seroprevalence and age.
Geoprocessing allowed the identification of areas with the highest prevalence, as well as the most susceptible average age and it was also useful as an instrument for the evaluation and implementation of appropriate preventive measures for this municipality and for other regions of Brazil.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2014;36(1):17-22
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032014000100005
To analyze the serological, anatomopathological and parasitological results obtained from abortive material in order to detect infections with the risk of vertical transmission, with emphasis on toxoplasmosis.
A cross-sectional cohort study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of infectoparasitic diseases. A total of 105 women who suffered spontaneous complete or incomplete abortion participated in the study. The women were interviewed, answered a questionnaire and had their blood and abortive material collected. Immunological tests were carried out in order to detect toxoplasmosis, Chagas disease, rubeola, cytomegalovirus and syphilis, and anatomopathological analysis of the ovular remains was performed.
55% of the women studied were 20 to 30 years old. Most of them (68%) presented a gestational age between the 7th and 14th week. 54.3% of the women had complete or incomplete high school education. Serological analysis showed cytomegalovirus (CMV) as the most common vertically transmitted infection with 97.1% positivity, followed by rubeola with 95.2%. Toxoplasmosis showed 54.3% positivity, Chagas disease 1.9% and syphilis 0.95%. Anatomopathological analysis showed inflammation in 63.1% of the cases and absence of inflammation in 34%. The results of the serological, anatomopathological and parasitological analysis of the 105 participants showed that 57 women were T. gondii positive. However, none showed positivity in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or in mouse inoculation.
The prevalence of diseases with the risk of vertical transmission is important in women with spontaneous abortion, indicating the need for more research in order to investigate the etiology of abortion.
Summary
Revista Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. 2011;33(2):93-98
DOI 10.1590/S0100-72032011000200007
PURPOSE: to estimate the prevalence and risk factors associated with seropositivity for Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women. METHODS: a cross-sectional retrospective study based on the records of women screened for toxoplasmosis by the Pregnancy Protection Program in 2008, living in Goiânia (GO). These records were connected to records from the database of the National Information System on Live Births from the State of Goiás. The process occurred in three phases, with 10,316 records being paired for analysis, among the 12,846 initial records. The following variables were evaluated in this process: woman's name, age, date of birth, estimated date of delivery, date of infant birth and household information. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies were detected with the Q-Preven Toxo IgG and IgMin tests in dried blood samples collected on filter paper. The χ2 test and χ2 test for trend were used for data analysis, and the odds ratio (OR) was used to estimate the chance of association between exposure and outcome. RESULTS: the prevalence of infection was 67.7%, with 0.7% of the samples presenting anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG reagents. Out of these, only three did not undergo confirmatory testing in venous blood. The median interval between the screening and the new collection of venous blood was of 12.5 days, and from screening to confirmatory test and avidity it was of 20 days. The variables associated with exposure were: age 20-30 years, OR=1.6 and >31 years, OR=1.8; brown skin color, OR=1.4, and black skin color, OR=1.6; and education of 8-11 years, OR=0.7, and >12 years of education, OR=0.6. CONCLUSION: a high prevalence of infection was estimated among the studied pregnant women. The associated factors that were found found should be considered during prenatal care, along with educational activities for the prevention of infection and assessment of serological status of seronegative pregnant women.