[Placental villitis].
Placental villitis, which is defined by the presence of lymphocytic or macrophagic inflammatory cells within the villosities, constitutes a recently-described histopathological entity. This condition is the consequence of an immune response of the feto-placental unit towards a non-specific, multiple aggression and the incidence is very low. The extent of the inflammatory reaction may culminate in placentitis, resulting in miscarriage. Although a large number of infecting agents are known to be responsible for the pathogenesis of villitis, in most cases the etiology remains unknown. The hypothesis of a failure of the mechanisms of immunotolerance during pregnancy is suggested by many authors to explain their origin.
Michaud
P
P
Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique A, Hôpital Général, Orléans.
Michenet
P
P
Lemaire
B
B
Maitre
F
F
Tescher
M
M
D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy
La villite placentaire.