PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “INFECTIOUS ABORTION”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Antibody responses to recombinant protein fragments of the major outer membrane protein and polymorphic outer membrane protein POMP90 in Chlamydophila abortus-infected pregnant sheep.

Chlamydophila abortus is one of the major causes of infectious abortion in pregnant sheep (enzootic abortion of ewes or EAE) worldwide. Organisms shed in infected placentas and uterine discharges at lambing time are the main sources of environmental contamination, responsible for transmission to susceptible animals and possible human contacts. In the present study, a recently developed test, based on a recombinant fragment of the polymorphic outer membrane protein POMP90 (rOMP90-4 indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [iELISA]) and one based on the variable segment 2 (VS2) region of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) (MOMP VS2 iELISA) were compared using sera from C. abortus-infected ewes at different stages throughout pregnancy. The rOMP90 iELISA detected antibody much earlier in pregnancy than the MOMP iELISA, which, like the complement fixation test, detected antibody only at the time of abortion or lambing. No anti-MOMP antibody response could be detected in three of seven experimentally infected ewes. Furthermore, the rOMP90 iELISA detected antibody in an animal that seroconverted during the course of the study, which the MOMP iELISA failed to detect. Overall, the results show that the rOMP90-4 iELISA is considerably more sensitive than the MOMP VS2 iELISA for identifying animals infected with C. abortus. Earlier detection of infection will allow appropriate control measures to be taken to reduce environmental contamination, thus limiting the spread of infection, financial losses, and the possible risks of zoonotic transmission to humans.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed2005

Streptococcus iniae phosphoglucomutase is a virulence factor and a target for vaccine development.

Streptococcus iniae represents a major health and economic problem in fish species worldwide. Random Tn917 mutagenesis and high-throughput screening in a hybrid striped bass (HSB) model of meningoencephalitis identified attenuated S. iniae mutants. The Tn917 insertion in one mutant disrupted an S. iniae homologue of a phosphoglucomutase (pgm) gene. Electron microscopy revealed a decrease in capsule thickness and cell wall rigidity, with DeltaPGM mutant cells reaching sizes approximately 3-fold larger than those of the wild type (WT). The DeltaPGM mutant was cleared more rapidly in HSB blood and was more sensitive to killing by cationic antimicrobial peptides including moronecidin from HSB. In vivo, the DeltaPGM mutant was severely attenuated in HSB, as intraperitoneal challenge with 1,000 times the WT lethal dose produced only 2.5% mortality. Reintroduction of an intact copy of the S. iniae pgm gene on a plasmid vector restored antimicrobial peptide resistance and virulence to the DeltaPGM mutant. In analysis of the aborted infectious process, we found that DeltaPGM mutant organisms initially disseminated to the blood, brain, and spleen but were eliminated by 24 h without end organ damage. Ninety to 100% of fish injected with the DeltaPGM mutant and later challenged with a lethal dose of WT S. iniae survived. We conclude that the pgm gene is required for virulence in S. iniae, playing a role in normal cell wall morphology, surface capsule expression, and resistance to innate immune clearance mechanisms. An S. iniae DeltaPGM mutant is able to stimulate a protective immune response and may have value as a live attenuated vaccine for aquaculture.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2002

An explorative study to assess the efficacy of toltrazuril-sulfone (ponazuril) in calves experimentally infected with Neospora caninum.

BACKGROUND: Neospora caninum is an important cause of infectious abortion and stillbirth in cattle world-wide. Infection is common and may frequently be passed from mother to calf (vertical transmission) with no signs of disease. Based on our previous observation that N. caninum-infection can be efficiently controlled with toltrazuril-sulfone (ponazuril) in experimentally infected mice, we addressed the question if efficacy could also be obtained in experimentally infected calves. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 19 calves and represents an initial explorative approach to document a basic effectiveness at first. Fifteen animals received each 2 x 10(8) N. caninum trophozoites, half of the dose being injected intravenously and the other half subcutaneously. Efficacy of treatment was assessed using molecular detection of parasite DNA with PCR and pathological alterations by immunohistochemistry in different organs of the animals. Assessment included also clinical, serological and pathophysiological parameters. RESULTS: In those calves medicated with ponazuril (one, or six consecutive days, respectively, starting one day after infection), a complete abrogation of the parasite detectability was obtained in the brain and other organs, while 50% of non-treated calves became PCR-positive in brain and muscles. Clinically, ponazuril chemotherapy of infected calves--in comparison to non-treated infected animals--reduced symptoms (fever), but no differences were observed between treated and non-treated animals with regard to serum enzymes and metabolites. Efficacy of a six-day treatment was also reflected by significantly lower anti-Neospora antibody concentrations developed after infection, when compared to non-treated animals. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings in this initially explorative approach that indicate a basic effectiveness of ponazuril against experimental N. caninum infection in calves, we plan to follow our chemotherapeutical intervention strategy to control bovine neosporosis with a subsequent more extensive field study with naturally infected calves.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Pregnancy-specific protein B and progesterone concentrations in relation to nutritional regimen, placental mass and pregnancy outcome in growing adolescent ewes carrying singleton fetuses.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether peripheral plasma profiles of pregnancy specific protein B (PSPB) are predictive of pregnancy outcome in adolescent sheep in which growth of the placenta has been compromised by the competing nutrient demands of maternal tissue synthesis. Embryos recovered on day 4 after oestrus from adult ewes inseminated by a single sire were transferred in singleton to prepubertal adolescent recipients. After transfer, the adolescent recipients were individually offered a high or low proportion of a complete diet to promote rapid (RMG) or normal (NMG) maternal growth rates (n = 12 per group). After day 100 of gestation the feed intake of the NMG group was adjusted weekly to meet the nutrient requirements of the gravid uterus. Blood was sampled three times a week throughout gestation and analysed for PSPB and progesterone. Liveweight gain during the first 120 days of gestation was 229 +/- 9.1 and 105 +/- 3.9 g day-1 for the RMG and NMG groups, respectively. For ewes delivering live young, mean placental mass at term was 263 +/- 16.8 and 438 +/- 44.6 g (P < 0.002), while lamb birthweight was 2.74 +/- 0.25 and 4.34 +/- 0.27 kg (P < 0.001) for the RMG (n = 8) and NMG (n = 11) groups, respectively. The biphasic pattern of PSPB secretion during gestation was similar in all ewes delivering live young, but individual concentrations within treatment groups were highly variable. Mean PSPB concentrations were lower in RMG than in NMG ewes throughout gestation (P < 0.05) and the major differences in relative terms were detected between days 50 and 100 of pregnancy. PSPB concentrations during this latter period were correlated (P < 0.05) with placental mass at term but not with lamb birthweight. High dietary intakes, leading to rapid maternal growth rates were associated with low peripheral progesterone concentrations (P < 0.02) throughout gestation. Irrespective of treatment group, progesterone concentrations during the second half of pregnancy were positively associated with both placental mass at term (P < 0.002) and lamb birthweight (P < 0.01). The incidence of non-infectious abortion during late gestation (125 +/- 1.3 days) was higher (P < 0.001) in the RMG (4 of 12) than in the NMG (1 of 12) group and was associated with abnormal PSPB profiles in the former group. The mass of the fetus at the time of abortion was highly correlated (P < 0.01) with mean PSPB concentrations up to day 120 of gestation, but was independent of peripheral progesterone concentrations. These results suggest that sequential measurement of PSPB may provide a reliable indicator of fetal distress and adverse pregnancy outcome in singleton bearing ewes. PSPB and progesterone analysis may also have prognostic value as a biochemical marker of suboptimal placental growth and function in sheep.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2001

[Clinical investigation of cefpirome for perinatal infection and infection prevention].

Effectiveness and safety of cefpirome (CPR) were studied in perinatal infection and prevention of postoperative infections. 1. Enrolled in the study of perinatal infections were the total 62 cases comprising 47 of chorioamnionitis, 10 of puerperal intrauterine infections, 1 of infectious abortion and 4 of others. The effective rate of CPR 2 g/day given in drip infusion was 61/62 (98.4%). In bacteriological studies, the bacterial elimination rate was 57/61 (93.4%). Unchanged and remained were 3 strains of Gram-positive bacteria and 1 strain of Bacteroides spp. 2. Enrolled in the study of prevention of postoperative infections during perinatal period were the total 88 cases comprising 74 who underwent cesarean section and 14 others. The effective rate of CPR 2 g/day given in drip infusion was 87/88 (98.9%). 3. With respect to subjective and objective adverse affects due to the agent, drug eruption was observed in 1/150 (0.7%). No abnormal result of clinical laboratory tests was found. The above results suggested the usefulness of CPR for treatment of perinatal infections and prevention of postoperative infections.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Epidemiological aspects of acute pelvic pain of gynecologic origin at the maternity of the Befelatanana Hospital Center, Antananarivo].

Acute pelvic pains of pregnancy (APPP) generate a lot of social and professional problems to pregnancy. A retrospective study was carried out in 1996 at the Maternity Hospital of Befelatanana, Antananarivo in order to specify epidemiological feature of APPP suffering pregnancy and to search favourising factors and determinative causes of this disease so that a strategy will be drawn up to reduce its frequency and to organize correct cares. 1,612 APPP were registered for the study period, i.e. an annual incidence of 15.5 per cent. Non periodic APPP were the most frequent clinical forms (99.6 per cent). The average age of pregnancy was 26 years old. Risk factors and determinative causes are infections, hormonal diseases, nulliparity and primiparity, low standard of living. APPP had been associated to hemorrhages (37.4 per cent), circulatory shock (14.5 per cent), and hyperthermia (63.5 per cent). 83 deaths were noted. Deaths are provoked by abortion infectious complications, hemorrhages, hepato-nephric lesions due to abortifacient plants. The authors conclude that prevent measures remain as the best therapy. They are based on Information-Education-Communication program drawn towards sexual education, Reproduction Health and improvement of genital infections cares.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1976

Sequential sterile autolysis in the ovine fetus: macroscopic changes.

Sterile intrauterine autolysis was experimentally produced in 28 ovine fetuses in the last 3rd of gestation by umbilical artery ligation. The fetuses were retrieved by cesarean section after periods of sterile intrauterine autolysis ranging from 0.5 to 168 hours. The following autolytic changes, frequently reported as significant lesions in infectious abortions in cattle and sheep, were observed: subcutaneous blood-tinged gelatinous edema, blood-tinged fluid in the serous cavities, renal cortical softening, uniform reddish brown tissues, hepatic friability and mottling, and cloudy yellow to cloudy red abomasal contents. The appearance of these and other autolytic changes corresponded to sterile sequential autolytic changes reported in the rabbit fetus and used to determine duration of retention of stillborn infants and are of comparative biomedical significance. The sequential autolytic changes may be used as an index to duration of retention after death of a ruminant fetus and provide a basis for reappraising various infective abortifacients common to ruminants by allowing separation of specific lesions from strictly autolytic changes.

Abomasum↗
PubMed1974

Human infection with vibrio fetus.

Vibrio fetus, a slowly growing, microaerophilic, Gram-negative rod which causes infectious abortion in cattle, occasionally induces disease in man. Since persons receiving immunosuppressive agents are among those most susceptible to this infection, recognition of the disease may become increasingly important as transplantation operations increase. Vibrio infections may produce a spectrum of acute and chronic illnesses or may be asymptomatic. Vibriosis may develop at any age but it seems most devastating in the very young or in older debilitated patients. The organism is sensitive to many common antibiotics but has a propensity to produce chronic relapsing illness if treatment is not continued long enough. The method of transmission of the agent is uncertain. Fewer than 100 cases of human vibriosis have been reported, perhaps because of fastidious growth requirements and the initial ease of antibiotic suppression; however, the true incidence of human infection is likely much higher.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Therapeutic effect of T-1982 (cefbuperazone) on the gynecologic infectious diseases].

T-1982 (cefbuperazone), a new cephamycin antibiotic with broad spectrum against Gram-positive, negative aerobic and anaerobic organisms, was clinically and bacteriologically evaluated on the gynecologic infectious diseases. Fourteen cases hospitalized at Kanazawa Medical University Hospital and the affiliated hospitals from October 1981 to July 1982 were treated with T-1982. By clinical symptoms, signs and bacteriological examinations the patients were diagnosed as pelveoperitonitis (1), intrauterine infection (3), adnexitis (3), infectious diseases of external genitalia (4), infectious abortion (1), vulvar hematoma (1), and rectovaginal fistula (1). T-1982 was administered intravenously or by drip infusion at a dose of 0.5-2.0 g twice a day after dissolved in a saline solution or a 5% glucose solution. Based on the improvement of clinical findings and antibacterial effect of T-1982, results were evaluated as excellent, good, poor and unknown. Clinical effects more than good were shown in 9 of 11 cases which could be followed up exactly on the therapeutic of T-1982. Two cases showing poor response were pelveoperitonitis and pyometra under carcinoma colli uteri stage IIIb, respectively. In 8 of 11 cases, antibacterial effect of T-1982 could be evaluated. Thirteen strains of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were disappeared by T-1982 therapy, while no effect was seen on 5 strains. On the side effect of T-1982, exanthema was observed in 1 case but disappeared soon after the cessation of administration.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[The infectious causes of abortion and stillbirth in swine in Switzerland].

Fetuses and placentae of 171 cases of porcine abortion, stillbirth and mummification were examined for pathological lesions, bacterial infections and PPV (porcine parvovirus) infection. Furthermore IgG (immunoglobulin G) levels were determined in fetal body fluids. Selected maternal sera were tested for antibodies against Leptospira, Aujeszky's disease and hog cholera. PPV infection was diagnosed in 29.2% of all cases. Bacterial abortion was diagnosed in 8.2%. Indications for an infectious agent were demonstrated in about 10% of the cases. The etiology of the abortion could not be identified in 52%. Inflammatory alterations in association with the isolation of bacteria consisted of neutrophilic infiltration and necrosis and were of particular value to differentiate bacterial contamination from infection. Infiltrations of mononuclear leucocytes in brain, leptomeninx, kidney or myocard were observed in about 50% of the fetuses with PPV infection. IgG levels were consistently elevated in fetuses serologically positive for PPV, but also in two fetuses, where no infectious agent could be identified.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Humoral immune response to infectious agents in aborted bovine fetuses in Argentina.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the exposure of bovine aborted fetuses from beef and dairy herds of the humid pampas of Argentina to different infectious agents by the evaluation of fetal fluid antibodies. Presence of fetal antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus genotype 1 (BVDV-1), bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV-1), Leptospira interrogans, Brucella abortus, and Neospora caninum was determined. Of the 95 fetuses processed, 66 came from 49 beef herds and 29 from 12 dairy herds. The average gestational age of the aborted fetuses was 7.1 months. Antibodies to the mentioned agents were detected in 65 of the 95 fetal fluids (68.4%). In addition, antibodies to more than one infectious agent were detected in 32 fetuses (33.7%), suggesting fetal exposure to multiple antigens during gestation. There were antibodies to BVDV-1, BHV-1, N. caninum and Leptospira interrogans in 43 (45.2%), 29 (30.5%), 26 (27.4%) and 5 (5.2%) specimens, respectively. Antibodies to B. abortus were not detected in any of the fetal fluids. The results of this study provide information on the determination of antibodies in fluids from bovine aborted fetuses exposed to different infectious agents in the region.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1994

Syphilitic endometritis causing first trimester abortion: a potential infectious cause of fetal morbidity in early gestation.

This report describes a 30-year-old woman with a history of prostitution and "crack" cocaine use during pregnancy. After an incomplete abortion at 11 weeks' gestation, a suction dilatation and curettage of uterine contents was done. Histopathologic examination revealed lymphoplasmacytic deciduitis and decidual necrosis, as well as rare first trimester chorionic villi. Silver staining using the Steiner technique showed numerous spirochetes, morphologically consistent with Treponema pallidum, in the decidualized endometrial tissues. This case of syphilitic endometritis, which appears to be the first reported, suggests that treponemal infection can cause fetal morbidity during early gestation.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1989

[The most frequent infectious causes of abortion in sheep in north Bavaria with special reference to Chlamydia and Salmonella infections].

Between 1980 and 1987 1153 ovine fetuses and placentas were examined after abortion. In 68.5% of the cases a cause of abortion could be diagnosed as follows: 43.5% Chlamydia psittaci var. ovis, 10.7% Salmonella abortus ovis, 3.7% Coxiella burnetii, 3.3% Listeria monocytogenes and 0.4% Campylobacter fetus intestinalis. Hemolyzing Escherichia coli and Streptococci, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella enteritidis, Corynebacterium pyogenes and other facultative pathogens isolated in pure culture out of fetal organs as well as non-infectious reasons (fetal deformities) were the causes of abortion in only 7%.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1964

STUDIES ON PERSISTENT INFECTIONS OF TISSUE CULTURES. V. THE INITIAL STAGES OF INFECTION OF L(MCN) CELLS BY NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS.

The initial stages of infection of L(MCN) cell populations with standard Newcastle disease virus (NDV(ST)) were analyzed in an effort to elucidate the steps leading to survival of the cultures and to the indefinite persistence of the infectious process at a low level. Cells were exposed in suspension to NDV at varying multiplicities and the monolayer cultures derived from such cells assayed at intervals for cellular growth rates, percentage of infected cells as determined by immunofluorescence, yields of viral progeny and of interferon, and, on occasion, resistance to superinfection with vesicular stomatitis virus. The percentage of cells calculated to be initially infected on the basis of adsorption data was found to match closely the percentage of immunofluorescent cells resulting from the first infectious cycle (up to 24 hours). Cells initially infected with NDV(ST) produced a mixed progeny of infectious virus (from 15 to 40 pfu/cell) and about 10 times as many non-infectious particles in 24 hours [NDV(L(MCN))], but little or no interferon. If all cells were infected the cultures ultimately died. At multiplicities of infection (m) of 2 or less the cultures survived with increasing ease as the percentage of infected cells was reduced. The number of pfu per infected cell was of the above order during the first 3 days; it declined thereafter. Limited secondary spread of the infection was noted by 48 hours and no further cycling was noted thereafter. As m decreased from 2.0 to 0.1 there was an increase in the yields of interferon and the time at which peak titers were reached. Addition of anti-NDV serum 2 hours after infection prevented measurable production of interferon. In contrast, following exposure of cells to NDV(L(MCN)) at multiplicities ranging from 20.0 to 0.2 (based on infectious virus) all cultures survived, no secondary spread was noted, the number of pfu per infected cells was reduced at the higher multiplicities, and the yields of interferon were similar and maximal by 24 hours and not affected by anti-NDV serum added after an adsorption period of 2 hours. It is concluded that the non-infectious virus particles in the progeny released from NDV(ST)-infected cells induce resistance in remaining cells or, if adsorbed simultaneously with infectious virus, abort the intracellular infectious process. In both instances interferon is produced which may then render additional cells resistant. The non-infectious component is considered an incomplete or defective product of viral replication and not merely thermally inactivated virus. NDV(ST) partially or completely inactivated at 37 degrees C induced neither cellular resistance nor synthesis of interferon. The incomplete viral component behaved in all respects like ultraviolet-inactivated NDV(ST) except that it was significantly more efficient in inducing interferon synthesis. On the basis of the presented data a scheme has been devised and discussed which appears to explain satisfactorily the events which take place on initial infection of L(MCN) cells with NDV and which lead to the persistence of the infectious process.

Animals↗