title: Mechanisms, organisms and markers of infection in pregnancy.
abstract: Premature delivery is still a significant problem in Obstetrics. It has multiple causes, with around 50% thought due to infection. Of note infection as a pathogenesis is more likely in those pre-term births occurring <30 weeks gestation and is largely sub-clinical. Potential pathogens largely arise from the ascending route and from the endogenous vaginal flora, causing chorioamnionitis. Resultant morbidity from the release of endo+/exotoxins from such pathogens, the stimulation and production of inflammatory cytokine pathways, prostaglandins, metalloproteinases includes maternal sepsis (chorioamnionitis, septicaemia, post-partum endometritis), pre-term delivery (infant pre-maturity and its consequences, increased susceptibility to cerebral palsy and neonatal sepsis). As well, infection increases mortality due to fetal loss (extreme pre-maturity) as well as severe neonatal sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's and The Royal Children's Hospitals, Women's and Children's Health, 132 Grattan Street, Carlton, Vic., Australia. garlands@cryptic.rch.unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Garland
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ní Chuileannáin
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Satzke
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Robins-Browne
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers