Vaccine strains of Rift Valley fever virus exhibit attenuation at the maternal-fetal placental interface.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection causes abortions in ruminant livestock and is associated with an increased likelihood of miscarriages in women. Using sheep and human placenta explant cultures, we sought to identify tissues at the maternal-fetal interface targeted by RVFV. Sheep villi and fetal membranes were highly permissive to RVFV infection resulting in markedly higher virus titers than human cultures.

Vaccine strains of Rift Valley fever virus exhibit attenuation at the maternal-fetal placental interface.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection causes abortions in ruminant livestock and is associated with an increased likelihood of miscarriages in women. Using sheep and human placenta explant cultures, we sought to identify tissues at the maternal-fetal interface targeted by RVFV. Sheep villi and fetal membranes were highly permissive to RVFV infection resulting in markedly higher virus titers than human cultures.

Genetic susceptibility loci for endometrial infection influence expression of genes involved in T cell function, tryptophan metabolism and epithelial integrity.

Objectives: Identify genetic loci of enhanced susceptibility to upper genital tract infection in women.

Methods: We performed an integrated analysis of DNA genotypes and blood-derived mRNA profiles from 200 exposed women to identify expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and determine their association with endometrial chlamydial infection using a mediation test. We further evaluated the effect of a lead eQTL on the expression of by immune cells from women with genotypes associated with low and high whole blood expression of , respectively.

Infections at the maternal-fetal interface: an overview of pathogenesis and defence.

Infections are a major threat to human reproductive health, and infections in pregnancy can cause prematurity or stillbirth, or can be vertically transmitted to the fetus leading to congenital infection and severe disease. The acronym 'TORCH' (Toxoplasma gondii, other, rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus) refers to pathogens directly associated with the development of congenital disease and includes diverse bacteria, viruses and parasites. The placenta restricts vertical transmission during pregnancy and has evolved robust mechanisms of microbial defence.

Host Genetic Risk Factors for Chlamydia trachomatis-Related Infertility in Women.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection ascending to the upper genital tract can cause infertility. Direct association of genetic variants as contributors is challenging because infertility may not be diagnosed until years after infection. Investigating the intermediate trait of ascension bridges this gap.

Cervical Cytokines Associated With Chlamydia trachomatis Susceptibility and Protection.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis can cause reproductive morbidities after ascending to the upper genital tract of women, and repeated infection can lead to worse disease. Data related to protective immune responses at the cervical mucosa that could limit chlamydial infection to the cervix and/or prevent reinfection inform vaccine approaches and biomarkers of risk.

Methods: We measured 48 cytokines in cervical secretions from women having chlamydial cervical infection alone (n = 92) or both cervical and endometrial infection (n = 68).

Comprehensive Molecular Serology of Human Infections by Peptide Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays.

Sensitive species-specific detection of anti- antibodies is compromised by cross-reactivity of the antigens used in standard microimmunofluorescence (MIF) testing and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Previously, we discovered 48 strongly reactive -specific B cell epitope peptides from 21 immunodominant proteins. Here we comprehensively evaluated the 11 top-ranked -specific peptide antigens from 8 proteins for use in serology.

Discovery of Human-Specific Immunodominant B Cell Epitopes.

species-specific serology is compromised by cross-reactivity of the gold standard microimmunofluorescence (MIF) or commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). This study was conducted to discover novel -specific peptide antigens that were recognized only by the antibody response of the natural human host. We evaluated a library of 271 peptide antigens from immunodominant proteins by reactivity with 125 antibody-positive sera from women with PCR-confirmed infection and 17 antibody-negative sera from low-risk women never diagnosed with infection.

Contraceptive effectiveness of immediate compared with delayed insertion of intrauterine devices after abortion: a decision analysis.

Objective: To model rates of pregnancy and repeat abortion among women choosing intrauterine contraception after an abortion when the intrauterine device (IUD) is inserted immediately after the procedure or at a follow-up visit.

Methods: We created an evidence-based decision model of women desiring to avoid pregnancy for the 12 months after an abortion. Base case assumptions were pregnancy rates of 0.

Prophylactic indomethacin reduces grades III and IV intraventricular hemorrhages when compared to early indomethacin treatment of a patent ductus arteriosus.

Objective: To determine the relative risk of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) between two very early indomethacin treatment strategies.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review of infants <29 weeks gestation and <1350 g who received either indomethacin prophylaxis or very early echocardiography with indomethacin treatment only if the ductus arteriosus was patent.

Results: A total of one hundred and two infants received prophylactic indomethacin (pINDO).

Hemodynamic disturbances in premature infants born after chorioamnionitis: association with cord blood cytokine concentrations.

Chorioamnionitis and elevated cord blood inflammatory cytokine concentrations are associated with detectable disturbances of systemic and cerebral hemodynamics in premature newborns. Fifty-five infants (25-31 wk gestation) were enrolled. Chorioamnionitis was defined by placental histology.

Regulation of the Primate Corpus Luteum: Cellular and Molecular Perspectives.

The process of luteinization, during which follicular granulosa cells are transformed into luteal cells, is accompanied by dramatic changes in the responses of luteal cells to luteinizing hormone (LH) and cAMP. The goal of this review is to summarize the findings of recent studies in monkeys, which have shown that the expression of the cAMP-dependent nuclear transcription factor CREB (cAMP-response element-binding protein) ceases upon luteinization, and also to suggest possible consequences of its loss on corpus luteum function and lifespan.