Infections with mycoplasma and bacteria in induced midtrimester abortion and fetal loss

David Sompolinsky*, Feiga Solomon, Luba Elkina, Zvi Weinraub, Ian Bukovsky, Eliahu Caspi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Placentas and fetuses from cases of induced midtrimester abortion and fetal loss (13 weeks of pregnancy or more) were examined microbiologically. In the series of midtrimester fetal loss, bacteria were isolated in 14 per cent and genital Mycoplasma in 37 per cent of the placentas. In induced abortion, 18 per cent of the placentas grew bacteria and in only one case out of 27 was a Mycoplasma strain isolated. Fetal organs yielded cultures positive for bacteria in 16 per cent and for genital Mycoplasma in 23 per cent of the spontaneous fetal loss material, whereas pyogenic cocci were isolated from fetal organs in 18 per cent and Mycoplasma in no case of induced abortion. In the positive cases, the fetal lungs were most often infected (in 34 out of 37 positive cases of spontaneous and 4 out of 5 positive cases of induced abortion). On the other hand, microorganisms could be isolated from the brain in only 5 out of 28 cases of spontaneous and none of induced abortion. In the series of fetal loss, positive microbiologic findings from the fetal organs seemed correlated to prolonged bleeding before abortion or labor and to premature rupture of membranes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)610-616
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume121
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 1975

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Infections with mycoplasma and bacteria in induced midtrimester abortion and fetal loss'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this