A comparison of aztreonam and two regimens of gentamicin in a rabbit model of intra-amniotic infection and sepsis.

Objective: To compare aztreonam in a standard dose with two gentamicin doses in the early treatment of experimental intra-amniotic infection in rabbits induced by intracervical inoculation with Escherichia coli.

Methods: Timed pregnant rabbits on day 21 (70% of gestation) were inoculated intracervically with 10(4)-10(5) colony-forming units of E coli. After inoculation, the animals were treated with one of three regimens: 1) aztreonam at 90 mg/kg/day ("standard" dose in humans), 2) gentamicin at 4.

A prospective study of heparin-induced osteoporosis in pregnancy using bone densitometry.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the subclinical occurrence of heparin-induced osteoporosis in pregnancy, by means of bone densitometry.

Study Design: A prospective, consecutive cohort of 14 pregnant women requiring heparin therapy and 14 pregnant controls matched for age, race, and smoking status was identified by 20 weeks' gestation at a university medical center. Proximal femur bone density measurements were taken at baseline, immediately post partum, and 6 months post partum in the cases and controls.

A rabbit model for ascending infection in pregnancy: intervention with indomethacin and delayed ampicillin-sulbactam therapy.

Objective: In a modified pregnant rabbit model using intracervical inoculation of Escherichia coli we investigated the effects of administration of delayed antibiotics and indomethacin on outcomes.

Study Design: We inoculated 10(5) colony-forming units of Escherichia coli or saline solution bilaterally in the cervix of New Zealand White rabbits at 70% of gestation and assigned animals to ampicillin-sulbactam therapy beginning at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 hours after inoculation with Escherichia coli or to no antibiotic therapy. We alternated indomethacin pretreatment in rabbits receiving no antibiotic therapy and rabbits starting ampicillin-sulbactam 4 hours after inoculation.

Life-threatening puerperal infection due to group A streptococci.

We describe two patients with life-threatening puerperal infection due to group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. Each patient had bacteremia, shock, and multi-organ involvement. Both cases were compatible with a recently described streptococcal toxic shock-like illness.

Vaginal birth after cesarean section in a small hospital.

Most studies on vaginal birth after cesarean section come from medical centers or university hospitals. However, the minority of births in the United States occur in these hospitals. When compared with larger institutions, many small hospitals have longer operating start-up times, less adequate blood banking facilities, and decreased obstetrical anesthesia support.