title: Histologic chorioamnionitis: different histologic features at different gestational ages.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of the different histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) grade in relation to the gestational age in term and preterm delivery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred and ninety-two women with singleton pregnancy with spontaneous onset of labor either prematurely or at term, with histologic diagnosis of HCA, were enrolled. Placentas were classified as: deciduitis and/or histologic chorioamnionitis within the membranes (HCA1); amnionitis or inflammation of the chorionic plate without funisitis (HCA2); and histologic chorioamnionitis with funisitis (HCA3). Microbiological culture was performed on both placental and fetal membrane samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HCA1 was more frequent in women delivering at term than in preterm (p < 0.001). HCA2 was more represented in women delivering between 32 and 36 weeks (p < 0.001) and HCA3 occurred more frequently in those delivering within 32 weeks (p < 0.001). The positive bacterial culture was higher (p = 0.008) in presence of HCA3 in comparison with HCA1 and HCA2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed a significantly different distribution of HCA grades in relation to gestational age at delivery. HCA may represent the expression of different subtending etiologies and may also reflect specific immune competence of gestational tissues at different gestational ages, strengthening as pregnancy advances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine and.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torricelli
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Voltolini
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toti
authors.forename: Francesca Letizia
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Vellucci
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cannoni
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moncini
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Occhini
authors.forename: Filiberto Maria
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Severi
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petraglia
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D010920:Placenta / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D047929:Term Birth
keywords: Amnionitis; funisitis; intrauterine inflammation; labor; prematurity