Article Abstract:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the herpes viruses and is the most common cause of congenital infection. CMV can be associated with serious complications when it occurs during pregnancy. Several reports have indicated that CMV can be grown in the laboratory from samples of amniotic fluid, thus aiding diagnosis of a CMV infection, but this technique is somewhat controversial. Two additional cases of prenatal diagnosis of CMV infection are described in this report. In the first case, a 17-year-old patient was at 37 weeks' gestation (normal delivery is at 40 weeks) when she developed malaise, lower abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and fever. Ultrasound imaging showed accumulation of excessive amniotic fluid, collection of urine in the fetal kidney, and possible fetal growth retardation. Amniocentesis was done to sample the amniotic fluid and discriminate between infection and inflammation of the amniotic sac. CMV infection was diagnosed from culture of the fluid, and labor was induced to expedite treatment. The infant was healthy and did not have typical signs of CMV infection. However, within one week, tests showed CMV infection, possibly in the brain and nervous system. The second patient was a 25-year-old woman who was tested for CMV after routine ultrasonography showed apparent fluid accumulation in the fetal heart or lungs. CMV infection was diagnosed with the help of amniotic fluid sampling. The fluid accumulation resolved quickly thereafter, and the newborn was born at normal term and was healthy. The report suggests that the risk of amniocentesis is justified in pregnant women with symptoms strongly suggestive of CMV infection or when ultrasonography indicates a possible fetal infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
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Article Abstract:
The growth-inducing activity of arginase may be highest in the muscular wall of the pregnant uterus underneath the placenta. Researchers measured the level of arginase activity in uterine muscle tissues and kidneys from pregnant and nonpregnant guinea pigs. Arginase activity was twice as high in tissues from pregnant guinea pigs as from nonpregnant pigs, and was significantly higher in uterine muscle tissue from pregnant animals. The high activity was sustained through late pregnancy. The substance that activates arginase, perhaps interleukin-10 or interleukin-4, may circulate in the body but be most concentrated in the placenta. Arginase may function as a catalyst to provide the fetus with growth-inducing substances.
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Article Abstract:
Transplantation of coated pancreatic islet cells into pregnant diabetic mice appears to show promise as a pre-pregnancy option for correcting the mother's carbohydrate metabolism and preventing fetal deformities. Maternal weight and glucose levels and fetal deformity rates were compared among diabetic mice transplanted with islet cells and then bred, pregnant untreated diabetic mice, and normal pregnant mice. There was no significant difference between maternal blood glucose levels and weight among the transplanted diabetic mice and the normal mice. Only 1.4% of the pups with transplanted mothers had birth defects.
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