Diagnosis of fetal rubella infection with reverse transcription and nested polymerase chain reaction: a study of 34 cases diagnosed in fetuses

Article Abstract:

Evidence of transmission of the rubella virus from pregnant women to their fetuses may be found by analyzing samples of the placenta and amniotic fluid. Fetuses that contract rubella may be born with cataracts, heart defects, or deafness. Researchers analyzed samples of placenta, amniotic fluid and fetal blood for the presence of the rubella virus from 34 pregnant women thought to have rubella. Eight fetuses were found to have the rubella virus. Six mothers chose to have their fetuses aborted, and fetal tissue from three of these contained rubella. The other two fetuses were born at term with no evident defects. Twenty-four of the remaining 26 fetuses were born at term in good health. The other two died from other causes. Analysis of placenta and amniotic fluid may identify persistent rubella infection in high risk fetuses.

Innovations, Diagnosis, Polymerase chain reaction, Rubella, Fetal diseases

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Rapid aneuploid diagnosis of high-risk fetuses by fluorescence in situ hybridization

Article Abstract:

A faster version of a test to detect chromosome defects may enable diagnosis of high-risk fetuses just before birth and improve their treatment after birth. Researchers developed a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test that looked for repeating chromosome-specific sequences rather than for unique targets or for all chromosome patterns. The new test took eight hours to complete, including two hours of hybridization time. Other chromosome detection tests take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to complete. The new FISH test correctly identified chromosome 13, 18, and 21 patterns in 50 out of 50 cases, and in 27 out of 27 stored samples with abnormal chromosome 21. The shortened test may be performed before birth of at-risk fetuses to determine whether they may need surgery immediately after birth.

Methods, Physiological aspects, In situ hybridization, Aneuploidy

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Absence of maternal-fetal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 to second-trimester fetuses

Article Abstract:

HIV-infected pregnant women probably don't transmit the virus to their baby during the pregnancy. A study of fetal tissue taken from 21 HIV-infected pregnant women who had a second-trimester abortion found no evidence of HIV.

Research, Maternal-fetal exchange, HIV infections, Disease transmission, Pregnancy, HIV infection in pregnancy

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