Vertical transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at delivery and its clinical impact: An observational, prospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection has a significant clinical impact on both pregnant women and neonates. The aim of this study was to assess accurately the vertical transmission rate of MRSA and its clinical impacts on both pregnant mothers and neonates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of 898 pregnant women who were admitted to our department and 905 neonates from August 2016 to December 2017. MRSA was cultured from nasal and vaginal samples taken from the mothers at enrollment and from nasal and umbilical surface swabs taken from neonates at the time of delivery. We examined the vertical transmission rate of MRSA in mother-neonate pairs. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors for maternal MRSA colonization and maternal/neonatal adverse outcomes associated with maternal MRSA colonization. RESULTS: The prevalence of maternal MRSA colonization was 6.1% (55 of 898) at enrollment. The independent risk factors were multiparity and occupation (healthcare provider) (odds ratio [OR] 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-4.42 and OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.39-4.79, respectively). The prevalence of neonatal MRSA colonization at birth was 12.7% (7 of 55 mother-neonate pairs) in the maternal MRSA-positive group, whereas it was only 0.12% (one of 843 pairs) in the maternal MRSA-negative group (OR 121, 95% CI 14.6-1000). When maternal vaginal samples were MRSA-positive, vertical transmission was observed in four of nine cases (44.4%) in this study. Skin and soft tissue infections developed more frequently in neonates in the maternal MRSA-positive group than in the MRSA-negative group (OR 7.47, 95% CI 2.50-22.3). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MRSA in pregnant women was approximately 6%. Vertical transmission caused by maternal vaginal MRSA colonization was observed in four of nine cases (44.4%). Although our study includes a limited number of maternal MRSA positive cases, the vertical transmission of MRSA may occur in up to 44% of neonates of mothers with vaginal MRSA colonization. Maternal MRSA colonization may be associated with increased development of skin and soft tissue infections in neonates via vertical transmission.

A novel classification of glucose profile in pregnancy based on continuous glucose monitoring data.

AIM: To investigate the glucose profile of women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by simultaneously analyzing several factors of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data. METHODS: CGM was conducted for 2 weeks in the second trimester of pregnant women whose random blood glucose level was ≥100 mg/dl. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed around day 7, and the index of hyperglycemia, relative hypoglycemia, and indices of glucose variability were extracted from CGM data. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering was performed to categorize glucose profiles of the participants. RESULTS: CGM data were obtained from 29 women. Glucose profiles were categorized into three clusters: low glucose levels with less glucose variability group (L group, n = 7); moderate glucose levels with moderate-to-high glucose variability group (M group, n = 18); and high glucose levels with high glucose variability group (H group, n = 4). The waveforms of the glucose profiles were very different among the three groups. Women with GDM tended to be more frequent in the H group than in the M and L groups (75.0%, 16.7%, and 14.3%, respectively; p = 0.053). Maternal age was significantly higher and the proportion of multiparous women was significantly larger in the H group compared to L group (p = 0.002 and 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive analysis of CGM data could help us extract a subgroup of women with characteristics of GDM.

Attitudes toward overtime work and self-training: A survey on obstetricians and gynecologists in Japan.

AIM: The Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan proposed a regulation of overtime work as a reform in work style. However, the regulation may deteriorate the quality of medical services due to the reduction in training time. Thus, the study aimed to reveal perceptions in terms of generation gaps in views on self-training and overtime work, among members of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG). METHODS: A web-based, self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among members of the JSOG. In total, 1256 respondents were included in the analysis. Data were collected on age, sex, experience as a medical doctor, location of workplace, work style, the type of main workplace, and number of full-time doctors in the main workplace. The study examined the attitudes of the respondents toward overtime work and self-training. The respondents were categorized based on experience as a medical doctor. RESULTS: According to years of experience, 112 (8.9%), 226 (18.0%), 383 (30.5%), 535 (42.6%) doctors have been working for ≤5, 6-10, 11-19, and ≥ 20 years, respectively. Although 54.5% of doctors with ≤5 years of experience expected the regulation on working hours to improve the quality of medical services, those with ≥20 years of experience expressed potential deterioration. After adjusting for covariates, more years of experience were significantly related with the expectation of deterioration in the quality of medical services. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed a generation gap in the views about self-training and overtime work among obstetricians and gynecologists in Japan.

A Case of Recurrent Hemorrhagic Corpus Luteum with Elevated Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, Controlled by Estrogen/Gestagen Therapy.

A high secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in reproductive-aged women is unusual. We report a case of recurrent corpus luteum hemorrhage and subsequent ovarian torsion with markedly elevated FSH levels in a reproductive-aged woman in the absence of functional gonadotroph adenoma (FGA) or premature ovarian failure (POF). A 22-year-old nulligravid woman with a history of bilateral hemorrhagic corpus luteum and subsequent ovarian torsion presented with acute abdominal pain. An emergency salpingo-oophorectomy of the right side was performed, and the right ovarian torsion due to hemorrhagic corpus luteum was diagnosed. Laboratory tests revealed markedly elevated FSH levels (77.6 mIU/mL). FGA was suspected, but no evidence of tumor was identified. The left ovary enlarged again at one-month follow-up. Estrogen/gestagen therapy (EGT) was started, which reduced the enlarged ovary to normal size. Two years later, her pituitary hormonal status was evaluated in detail. Besides markedly elevated FSH level, slightly elevated LH (31.2 mIU/mL), normal total inhibin B (35.3 pg/ml), abnormally low anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) (<0.03 ng/mL), and poor FSH response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test were found. In the absence of FGA, we conclude that certain disorders of inhibitory factors for FSH function, including inhibin and AMH may exist, which could attribute to the patient's symptoms. EGT was very effective in suppressing the ovarian hyperactivity.

A Case of Synchronous Primary Corpus and Ovarian Cancer with Pseudo-Meigs Syndrome: Utilization of a Diagnostic Laparoscopy for the Accurate Diagnosis.

We report a case of synchronous primary corpus and ovarian cancer (SPC) with massive ascites due to Pseudo-Meigs syndrome (PMS). A 48-year-old woman presented with complaints of abnormal genital bleeding and abdominal discomfort. Massive ascites and tumors in the endometrium and right ovary were detected. Although imaging tests showed no evidence of dissemination, and ascites cytology was negative, we performed a diagnostic laparoscopy to exclude the possibility of microdissemination because pathological findings of the corpus tumor were suggested to be so-called Type-2 endometrial cancer. Laparoscopy clearly confirmed no dissemination in the peritoneum. We ultimately diagnosed this patient with SPC with massive nonmalignant ascites due to PMS and performed an appropriate treatment. This report is the first case of SPC that developed PMS.

A Case of Pregnancy Complicated with ATIII Deficiency in a Patient Who Developed Severe Venous Thromboembolism in Her Fourth Pregnancy and Had a Favourable Outcome in Her Subsequent Pregnancy with Careful Management of Anticoagulation Therapy including Edoxaban.

Congenital ATIII deficiency is one of the congenital thrombophilia diseases that can cause severe venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnant patients. A 30-year-old female, 4 gravida and 2 para, came to the emergency department with a complaint of oedema and pain in the left lower leg at 11 weeks of gestation. An inferior vena cava thrombus and pulmonary embolism were found. Because VTE was very severe, artificial abortion was performed, and VTE disappeared rapidly. She maintained oral administration of edoxaban (NOAC) and got pregnant naturally fifty-five weeks later after the abortion. Anticoagulation therapy was changed from NOAC to ATIII formulation and unfractionated heparin at 5 weeks of gestation. The course of pregnancy was good, and a healthy female newborn of 2310 g was delivered vaginally at 37 weeks 6 days of gestation. In puerperium, anticoagulation therapy was changed to warfarin. Currently one and one-half years had passed after delivery and no major adverse events or thrombosis has occurred. This case indicates that severe VTE can develop even in multipara pregnancy and that those who take NOAC may be able to continue pregnancy when they get pregnant.

A Case of Pregnancy Complicated with Evans Syndrome with Sequential Development of Autoimmune Warm Antibody Hemolytic Anemia and Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

The simultaneous or sequential development of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is known as Evans syndrome. We experienced a case of Evans syndrome that developed AIHA during pregnancy and ITP long after delivery. The patient was a 35-year-old pregnant woman (gravida 2, para 1). A routine blood test at 28 weeks of gestation revealed moderate macrocytic anemia. Her haptoglobin level was markedly low, and a direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was positive. Based on these results, AIHA was considered. A healthy female newborn with bodyweight 3575 g was vaginally delivered uneventfully. After delivery, the DAT remained positive, but anemia did not develop. At 203 days after delivery, ITP was detected. Because AIHA and ITP developed sequentially, she was diagnosed with Evans syndrome. When AIHA occurs during pregnancy, long-term follow-up is needed because ITP can develop sequentially.

A Case of Pelvic Abscess Caused by Edwardsiella tarda followed by Laparoscopic Resection of a Hematoma Derived from Caesarean Section.

Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda) infections are rare and can be fatal. We report a case of an E. tarda abscess which developed in the hematoma originally derived from a caesarean section. A 24-year-old gravida 1 woman was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of abdominal pain. Approximately one month before her admission, pelvic hematoma had developed derived from caesarean section. Followed by the failure of conservative management, she underwent laparoscopic surgery to remove the hematoma 6 days before her admission. On computed tomography examination, we found that the abscess with a diameter of 9 cm was located in the right pelvic space. We punctured the abscess and identified E. tarda in the abscess. We continued administering antibiotics, but her symptoms, including fever and abdominal pain, became worse, and the abscess enlarged. We performed laparotomy drainage and ileocecal resection on the 10th posthospitalization day. After drainage surgery, the patient's condition improved gradually, and the patient was discharged uneventfully. There are no reports in patients of E. tarda infection during the perinatal period. E. tarda infection can be a life-threatening illness even in immunocompetent patients. In the case of E. tarda infection, intensive care and surgical procedures should be considered.

Gliomatosis peritonei with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose accumulation and contrast enhancement secondary to immature teratoma: A case report.

Gliomatosis peritonei (GP) is a rare condition characterized by mature glial tissue implants widespread in the peritoneum, which is occasionally followed by treatment for immature teratoma (IM). The present study reported a case of GP with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulation and contrast enhancement followed by treatment for IM. A 30-year-old female, 2-gravida and 0-para, underwent laparotomy with hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and partial omentectomy followed by four cycles of chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin for IM (Grade 2) of stage IIIC. At the 6-month follow-up, computed tomography (CT) revealed a 1-cm mass with contrast enhancement on splenic flexure. Positron-emission tomography (PET)/CT revealed intense FDG accumulation at the same site. Although α-fetoprotein, which was elevated preoperatively, remained normal, she was diagnosed with IM recurrence. The patient underwent three cycles of chemotherapy with paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and cisplatin, but the size, the degree of contrast enhancement and FDG accumulation of the mass did not change after chemotherapy. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed. which revealed multiple small peritoneal implants, including a 1-cm mass at the splenic flexure. The 1-cm mass was dissected at the splenic flexure and some other implants. Mature well-differentiated glial tissue with non-atypia was identified in all tissue, and a diagnosis of GP was made. The patient is currently undergoing regular follow-up. Few reports are available regarding FDG-PET/CT imaging of GP. GP should be considered as the differential diagnosis of FDG-avid mass followed by IM therapy. A laparoscopic diagnosis is useful to obtain an accurate diagnosis of GP.

Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma arising in the endometrium: A case report.

Large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the endometrium is an extremely rare, high-grade malignant tumor. We herein report a case of a rapidly growing LCNEC arising in the endometrium. A 52-year-old woman was referred to Toyooka Hospital (Tooyoka, Japan) due to genital bleeding in February 2016. There had been no abnormalities on a regular gynecological and physical examination 3 months prior to the consultation. Imaging (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) and a pelvic examination revealed a tumor sized 16.9×8.4×7.8 mm occupying the intrauterine cavity and extending into the vaginal cavity. Multiple metastatic pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes were also identified. Continuous bleeding from the tumor was observed, and a blood examination revealed anemia, which was likely due to that bleeding. Biopsy of the tumor was performed, and large atypical cells were identified. The tumor cells were negative for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and chromogranin A, but positive for CD56 and synaptophysin. There was also an abundance of Ki-67-positive cells in the tumor, altogether suggesting that the tumor was an LCNEC. The patient succumbed to the disease 36 days after the first consultation. Based on the findings of the present case and previously published cases, LCNECs arising in the endometrium may progress rapidly and are associated with an unfavourable outcome. LCNEC should be included in the differential diagnosis in cases of rapidly growing tumors of the uterine corpus.