Effect of Genital Sampling Site on the Detection and Quantification of Species with Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction during Pregnancy.

. This study aimed to compare the qualitative and quantitative reproducibility of quantitative PCR (qPCR) for species spp.) throughout pregnancy and according to the genital sampling site.

Primary maternal cytomegalovirus infections: accuracy of fetal ultrasound for predicting sequelae in offspring.

Background: Cytomegalovirus infection is the most common perinatal viral infection that can lead to severe long-term medical conditions. Antenatal identification of maternal cytomegalovirus infections with proven fetal transmission and potential postnatal clinical sequelae remains a major challenge in perinatology. There is a need to improve the prenatal counseling offered to patients and guide future clinical management decisions in cases of proven primary cytomegalovirus infection.

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection: contribution and best timing of prenatal MR imaging.

Objective: To predict sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and neurological impairment in congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection using MR imaging and define the best timing in pregnancy for prenatal assessment.

Methods: In 121 patients with confirmed cCMV infection, brain features at MR imaging were respectively graded from 1 to 5: normal; isolated frontal/parieto-occipital hyperintensity; temporal periventricular hyperintensity; temporal/occipital cysts and/or intraventricular septa; migration disorders. Grading was correlated with postnatal SNHL and neurological impairment using regression analysis.

Does recent sexual intercourse during pregnancy affect the results of the fetal fibronectin rapid test? A comparative prospective study.

Objective: We conducted a prospective comparative cohort study to determinate the influence of coitus on quantitative fetal fibronectin test results under normal pregnancy conditions. We also compared values obtained in cervical and vaginal secretions.

Methods: In a population of women with normal singleton pregnancies between 22 and 28 weeks gestation, we have performed (cervical and vaginal) quantitative fetal fibronectin tests in two separate groups classified according to timing after coitus (one group of women had intercourse within 24 h before sampling and the control group had intercourse >24 h before sampling).