Human decidual cells activity in women with spontaneous abortions of probable CMV aetiology during the first trimester of gestation. An immunohistochemical study with CMV-associated antigen.

Aim: To determine the expression of CMV-associated antigen in the human decidual endometrial stromal cells in spontaneous abortions with no evidence of maternal relapse during the first trimester of gestation.

Experimental Design: We examined 15 placentas resulting from intrauterine fetal death after spontaneous abortion during the 8th, 10th, and 12th week of gestation respectively, and in which CMV reactivation was ruled out from serological evaluation of the pregnant women at admission, versus equal controls after voluntary abortion following well-documented maternal viral recurrence. In addition, a panel of monoclonal antibodies for the identification of leukocytes (CD45/LCA), B-lymphocytes (CD20/L-26), and T-lymphocytes (CD45RO/UCHL1), was performed.

Altered intrahepatic hematopoiesis in neonates from women with pregnancy induced hypertension/pre-eclampsia.

Aim: To detect whether preeclampsia influences neonatal intrahepatic hematopoiesis, given that an activation of fetal neutrophils and monocytes during the course of this disorder occurs.

Experimental Design: We examined liver samples from 10 neonates of hypertensive/preeclamptic women at 27 to 28 weeks of gestation delivered by a cessarian section. All neonates were placed in incubators but they all died within 24 hours due to immaturity.