The Impact of the Female Genital Microbiota on the Outcome of Assisted Reproduction Treatments.

The vaginal microbiota plays a critical role in the health of the female genital tract, and its composition contributes to gynecological disorders and infertility. Lactobacilli are the dominant species in the female genital tract: their production of lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins prevents the invasion and growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Several factors such as hormonal changes, age of reproduction, sexual practices, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and antimicrobial drugs use can cause imbalance and dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiota.

Identifying Predictive Bacterial Markers from Cervical Swab Microbiota on Pregnancy Outcome in Woman Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technologies.

Background And Aims: Failure of the embryo to implant causes about three-fourths of lost pregnancies. Female genital tract microbiota has been associated to Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) outcomes. The objective of this study was to analyze the microbiota of human cervical swab and to correlate these findings with the ART outcomes.

High Rates of Hidden HCV Infections among Hospitalized Patients Aged 55-85.

Background And Aims: The WHO has solicited all countries to eliminate HCV by 2030. The Italian government started routine screening for HCV infection in January 2021, initially targeting subjects born between 1969 and 1989. With the aim of achieving micro-elimination, we designed a hospital-wide project focusing on inpatients born from 1935 to 1985 and conducted it in our institution.

Onset of chronic myeloid leukemia with complex karyotype in a pregnant patient: case report and revision of literature.

Approximately 10%-12% of patients in chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) have additional chromosomal aberrations at diagnosis; moreover, CML occurs in up to 10% of pregnancy-associated leukemias, with an annual incidence of 1 per 100,000 pregnancies. In this report we describe the case of a 36-year-old female with CP-CML diagnosed in the 18th week of pregnancy and with a new complex variant translocation t(4;9;22;21)(q24;q34;q11;q22) and an additional chromosomal aberration t(1;20)(p36;p11). In consideration of her pregnancy, the patient strictly monitored her blood cell count without any specific treatment.

Modulation of factors involved in placental haemostasis and angiogenesis by low-molecular-weight-heparins.

Purpose: In placentae from uneventful pregnancies a direct relationship between expression of tissue factor (TF) and tissue-factor pathway inhibitor type 2 (TFPI2) was found, as well as between TF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Furthermore, placentae from gestational vascular complications (GVCs) lack these correlations. Aims of the present study are (1) to evaluate a possible role of low-molecular-weight-heparins (LMWHs) in the modulation of the expression of TF, TFPI, TFPI2 and VEGF in placentae from thrombophilic women and (2) to study the possible role of endothelium in the placental expression of markers involved in haemostasis and angiogenesis.

Haplotype M2 in the annexin A5 (ANXA5) gene and the occurrence of obstetric complications.

Inherited or acquired thrombophilias have been largely explored as a cause of pregnancy complications. However, pathogenesis of obstetric complications, as fetal loss and pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders is still partly unexplained. Recently, a common haplotype (M2) within the annexin A5 (ANXA5) gene has been described as a risk factor in recurrent fetal losses (RFL).

Homocysteine levels in amniotic fluid. Relationship with birth-weight.

Hyperhomocysteinemia could play a similar role in the placenta to that played in adults at risk of thrombosis. Moreover, hyperhomocysteinemia in women is described to be associated with the birth of small for gestational age (SGA) newborns, although there are discrepancies on this issue. To date, there is no biochemical marker predictive of SGA in a given pregnancy.

Preventing adverse obstetric outcomes in women with genetic thrombophilia.

Objective: To improve fetomaternal outcomes in women with obstetric complications and inherited causes of thrombophilia.

Design: Clinical trial.

Setting: Thrombophilic women with previous unexplained adverse outcomes.