Perinatal infection of human T-lymphotropic virus type I, the etiologic virus of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma: DNA amplification of specific human T-lymphotropic virus type I sequences

Article Abstract:

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is a cancer of the blood and lymphatic system that is caused by the human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). The polymerase chain reaction, a method for amplifying genes, can be used to detect HTLV-I in mononuclear cells in the breast milk of pregnant women who carry the virus. The polymerase chain reaction was also used to amplify DNA from mononuclear cells of the umbilical cord blood of infants newly born to HTLV-I carriers. The DNA from newborns was examined for the possibility of infection with HTLV-I transmitted by the placenta during pregnancy. HTLV-I was detected in the blood and breast milk of all 10 pregnant HTLV-I carriers but not in the umbilical cord blood of their newborn infants. These findings suggest that transmission of HTLV-I by the placenta is rare and infection of the newborn most likely occurs by ingestion of HTLV-I-infected breast milk. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Maternal-fetal exchange, Disease transmission, Polymerase chain reaction, HTLV-I (Virus)

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Magnesium sulfate inhibits oxytocin-induced calcium mobilization in human puerperal myometrial cells: possible involvement of intracellular free magnesium concentration

Article Abstract:

Magnesium sulphate delays premature labor by inhibiting the flow of calcium into myometrial cells and thus controlling contractions. The myometrium is the muscular layer of the wall of the uterus. Myometrial tissue from women who had cesarean sections was used to study the effects of magnesium sulphate on intracellular calcium concentrations. The myometrial cells were cultured with penicillin, fetal bovine serum and streptomycin. They were then treated with a calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye to measure calcium concentrations and with a magnesium-sensitive fluorescent dye to measure those concentrations. Oxytocin was used to increase intracellular levels of calcium. Concentrations of intracellular calcium were reduced within 20 minutes of replacement of a normal solution with a magnesium solution. The calcium concentration dropped to 26% of that found in the cells in normal solutions.

Myometrium, Tocolytic agents, Magnesium sulfate

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Placental interleukin-6 production is enhanced in intrauterine infection but not in labor

Article Abstract:

Interleukin-6 production in the placenta appears to be elevated in cases of chorioamnionitis. Chorioamnionitis is the inflammation of fetal membranes. Interleukin-6 plays a role in mediating the immune system's response to infection. Levels of interleukin-6 were measured in 19 placenta samples following vaginal delivery, 15 following cesarean delivery and 8 with chorioamnionitis. There was no significant difference in levels of interleukin-6 between the placentas with labor and those without. However, interleukin-6 levels were significantly higher in the placentas with chorioamnionitis than in those without infection. These findings suggest that interleukin-6 acts at the fetomaternal interface to prevent further spreading of infection and tissue damage to both the fetus and mother.

Labor (Obstetrics), Interleukin-6, Chorioamnionitis

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