Biomarkers for a histological chorioamnionitis diagnosis in pregnant women with or without group B streptococcus infection: a case-control study

Group B Streptococcus Brain Abscess in a Neonate with Bilateral Otorrhea

Introduction  Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of bacterial sepsis and meningitis in neonates worldwide, but brain abscess secondary to GBS is extremely rare. While temporal brain abscesses have been described as a sequelae of otogenic infections in children and adults, such a presentation has not been described in neonates. Case Description  An 8-day-old female infant presented with a fever and irritability along with bilateral purulent otorrhea. Maternal GBS screening was negative, but the delivery was complicated by chorioamnionitis. Workup revealed neutrophilic pleocytosis in the cerebrospinal fluid and culture of the ear drainage was positive for GBS. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a circular lesion with rim enhancement within the left temporal lobe concerning for an abscess. The infant was treated with 14 days of intravenous vancomycin, cefepime, and metronidazole followed by 10 weeks of intravenous ampicillin. The hospital course was complicated by seizures and obstructive hydrocephalus requiring multiple neurosurgical interventions. Conclusion  Brain abscess can occur as a sequela of GBS meningitis in neonates, but they are rare. Otogenic infections require prompt evaluation and treatment as they can progress to serious central nervous infections in neonates.

Non-invasive prediction of histologic chorioamnionitis using maternal serum markers in women with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes

PROBLEM

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the predictive accuracy of serum markers for histological chorioamnionitis (HCA) among women with preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM), and to develop a nomogram prediction model to minimize the damage of the disease.

METHOD OF STUDY

This case-control study included 153 pregnant women with PPROM with a gestational age of 20⁺⁰ ∼ 36⁺⁶ weeks. The subjects were assigned into two groups: PPROM with and without HCA. According to the results of Logistic regression analysis, the predictive equation and nomogram were generated using key parameters, and the discrimination and consistency of the model were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration curves.

RESULTS

From 153 subjects with PPROM, 77 developed HCA. Compared with the PPROM without HCA group, the CRP, PCT and NLR were significantly higher in HCA group (P<0.001), and the CRP had the highest predictive value. The area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 0.873, and the sensitivity and specificity of predicting HCA were 68.8% and 92.1%, respectively. And the calibration curves fitted well with the realistic situation.

CONCLUSION

Maternal serum CRP and NLR could be used as predictive biomarkers for HCA in women with PPROM, while PCT needs to be further explored due to its slightly lower predictive value. Our serum markers and gestational age at PPROM could be used as a non-invasive and convenient method to predict HCA in women with PPROM. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Higher-Dose DHA Supplementation Modulates Immune Responses in Pregnancy and Is Associated with Decreased Preterm Birth

Pregnancy and parturition involve extensive changes in the maternal immune system. In our randomized, multi-site, double-blind superiority trial using a Bayesian adaptive design, we demonstrated that 1000 mg/day of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was superior to 200 mg/day in preventing both early preterm birth (less than 34 weeks' gestation) and preterm birth (less than 37 weeks' gestation). The goal of this secondary study is to compare the effects of 1000 mg/day versus 200 mg/day on maternal inflammation, a possible mechanism by which DHA may prevent preterm birth. Maternal blood samples were collected at enrollment (12-20 weeks' gestation) and at delivery. Red blood cell DHA levels were measured by gas chromatography, and plasma concentrations of sRAGE, IL-6, IL-1β, TNFα, and INFγ were measured by ELISA. Data were analyzed for associations with the DHA dose, gestational age at birth, and preterm birth (<37 weeks). Higher baseline and lower delivery levels of maternal sRAGE were associated with a greater probability of longer gestation and delivery at term gestation. Higher-dose DHA supplementation increased the probability of a smaller decrease in delivery sRAGE levels. Higher IL-6 concentrations at delivery were associated with the probability of delivering after 37 weeks, and higher-dose DHA supplementation increased the probability of greater increases in IL-6 concentrations between enrollment and delivery. These data provide a proposed mechanistic explanation of how a higher dose of DHA during pregnancy provides immunomodulatory regulation in the initiation of parturition by influencing sRAGE and IL-6 levels, which may explain its ability to reduce the risk of preterm birth.