Prediction of chorioamnionitis in cases of intraamniotic infection by ureaplasma urealyticum in women with very preterm premature rupture of membranes or preterm labour.

OBJECTIVES: First, to determinate the frequency of chorioamnionitis and funisitis in cases of intramniotic detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum. Second, to assess the predictive capability of some biological markers in the amniotic fluid of these women to predict histological inflammation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 20 cases of women with premature rupture of membranes or preterm labour (PROM) or preterm labour and intraamniotic detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum. Gestational age at admission was 26.74 ± 2.53 weeks. Amniotic fluid concentrations of IL18, IL 2, IL4, IL6, IL10, IL12, TNF-alpha, IFN-g, and MMP-8 were measured by the Multiplex method. Amniotic fluid glucose and leukocyte count were also measured by standard methods. Placental detailed histological studies were performed. Student's t-test, forward stepwise conditional binary logistic regression analysis and ROC curves were used. RESULTS: Histological chorioamnionitis was present in 45% of cases (9/20) and funisitis just in 15% (3/20). Interleukins 6, 8, 12, MMP-8, and leukocyte count were significantly elevated in cases of histological inflammation, defined as choriamnionitis or chorioamniotis + funisitis (p = .007, .03, .01, .03, .03, respectively) while glucose was decreased (p = .04). Binary logistic regression for the prediction of inflammation showed a high predictive value (R2 = .66, p = .002) including in the equation only the IL6 value. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of cases with intraamniotic detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum shows no pathological signs of histological inflammation. Concentration of Interleukin 6 in amniotic fluid can be useful for the diagnosis of subclinical chorioamnionitis in these cases.

Differential amniotic fluid cytokine profile in women with chorioamnionitis with and without funisitis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the amniotic fluid (AF) cytokine profile in women with chorioamnionitis may differentiate between those with and without funisitis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty women at high risk of chorioamnionitis were studied. Gestational age at study was 26.94. Amniocentesis, universal and specific polymerase chain reaction, and microbiological cultures were performed. AF IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL 8, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, and MMP-8 were measured by multiplex assay. After delivery, the placenta and umbilical cord were studied histologically. Comparisons were made between three groups: controls, and chorioamnionitis with and without funisitis. RESULTS: In 25 cases, the histological findings were normal (61.5%). The remaining 15 composed of 9 cases of chorioamnionitis alone (9/40; 23.1%) and 6 cases of chorioamnionitis plus funisitis (6/40; 15.4%). All AF cytokine levels were significantly higher in the cases with chorioamnionitis in comparison to controls, except for IFN-gamma. The comparisons between the three groups showed significant differences between chorioamnionitis alone and chorioamnionitis plus funisitis in IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-8, and TNF-alpha, with the levels being higher when funisitis was present. Logistic regression found a powerful predictive model for funisitis including the following cytokinesIL-4, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-8. CONCLUSIONS: Measurements of AF interleukins 4, 10, 12, and 8 allow to identify cases with funisitisin women at high risk of chorioamnionitis.

LC-MS-based metabolomics identification of novel biomarkers of chorioamnionitis and its associated perinatal neurological damage.

Chorioamnionitis is a complication of pregnancy associated with significant maternal and perinatal long-term adverse outcomes. We apply high-throughput amniotic fluid (AF) metabolomics analysis for better understanding the pathophysiological mechanism of chorioamnionitis and its associated perinatal neurological injury and to provide meaningful information about new potential biomarkers. AF samples (n = 40) were collected from women at risk of chorioamnionits. Detailed clinical information on each pregnancy was obtained from obstetrical and neonatal medical examination. Liquid chromatography (LC)/mass spectrometry (MS) followed by data alignment and filtration as well as univariate and multivariate statistical analysis was performed. Statistically significant differences were found in 60 masses in positive and 115 in negative ionization mode obtained with LC/quadrupole time-of-flight MS (LC-QTOF-MS) between women with and without chorioamnionitis. Identified compounds were mainly related to glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids metabolism. From them, LPE(16:0)/LPE(P-16:0) and especially lactosylceramides emerged as the best biomarker candidates. Sulfocholic acid, trioxocholenoic acids, and LPC(18:2) were particularly increased in women with chorioamnionitis whose newborns developed perinatal brain damage. Therefore, we propose LPE(16:0)/LPE(P-16:0) and lactosylceramides as biomarkers for chorioamnionitis as well as LPC(18:2), trioxocholenoic acid, and sulfocholic acid for its associated perinatal brain damage. Metabolomics fingerprinting of AF enables the prediction of pregnancy-related disorders and the development of new diagnostics strategies.

Primary Hormonal Therapy for Elderly Breast Cancer Patients: Single Institution Experience.

AIMS: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. Up to 50% of breast cancer cases occur in patients over the age of 65 years. Hormonal therapy as a single alternative treatment has been used in this population. The aim of this study was to analyze the oncological outcomes in breast cancer patients who received hormonal therapy alone as a primary treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our database to find all patients with breast cancer from 2006 to 2011 who were treated with hormonal therapy only at our center. The collected data included patients and tumor characteristics, type of drug administered, follow-up details and type of response obtained using RECIST criteria. RESULTS: We included 44 breast cancer patients. The mean age was 83.5 ± 6.0 years. The majority of patients had tumors with less aggressive immunohistochemical characteristics and 100% of them presented positive estrogen receptors. The pharmacological treatment included exemestane, anastrozole, tamoxifen, letrozole and fulvestrant. The effectiveness rate was 60%, evaluated according to tumor reduction or no progression. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of hormonal therapy in older patients is reasonably high to justify its use in selected patients. Therefore, it is a sensible alternative for patients who refuse or are unfit for surgery.

Misdiagnosis of an extragastrointestinal stromal tumor in the rectovaginal septum.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are very rare, representing 0.1% to 1% of gastrointestinal malignancies. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors outside the digestive tract comprise a very small fraction of all gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and their most common locations are the omentum, the mesentery, and, in few cases, the rectovaginal septum. Despite their low incidence, extragastrointestinal stromal tumors are potentially malignant tumors and they present a high rate of recurrences. This, added to the fact that they are often asymptomatic until advanced stages, determines an unfavorable prognosis. CASE REPORT: We report a case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor located in the rectovaginal septum, which recurred after local excision; hence, a reintervention was needed. CONCLUSIONS: A correct differential diagnosis between extragastrointestinal stromal tumors and other similar pathologies such as leiomyomas or schwannomas is imperative based on their histology and immunohistochemistry. The correct diagnosis of extragastrointestinal stromal tumors allows to start adequate treatment and follow-up, preventing recurrence that determines their poor prognosis.

[Fetal complications and early neonatal outcomes on 147 triplets]. / Complicaciones fetales y resultados neonatales tempranos en 147 embarazos triples.

BACKGROUND: During the last ten years multiple pregnancies have been increased as a result of assisted reproduction techniques, increases of even 470% are published. Multiple pregnancies are related to a higher risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, as well as to increased use of health resources. OBJECTIVES: To review the fetal and perinatal early complications in triple pregnancies. PATIENTS AND METHOD: An observational and retrospective study of triple pregnancies followed up at the Obstetrics Department of La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain, from January 2000 until May 2011. RESULTS: We reviewed the medical records of 147 triplets. The prevalence of triplets was 1 in 640 deliveries (0.15%). Among all, 79% were achieved using assisted reproductive techniques, 73% were obtained by means of in vitro fertilization. Regarding the pregnancy zigosity we found: 85% trichorionic triamniotic, 10% bichorionic triamniotic and 5% monochorionic tramniotic. Out of 402 fetuses, 35 (9%) had the following complications: 19(5%) growth retardation or oligohydramnios, nine (2%) intrauterine death, three (0.74%) postnatal death due to suspected chorioamnionitis, three (0.74%) major malformations and one case (0.24%) of twin to twin transfusion. The average duration of gestation was 33 weeks: 8% were born before 28 weeks of gestation, 30% between 28 and 32 weeks and 62% after 32 weeks. The mean birth weight was 1,906 +/- 400 g. In 29 cases (7%) arterial pH was less than 7.20. Any type of resuscitation was required by 60% of newborns and 47% were admitted to the intensive care unit. There were no significant differences in neonatal early outcomes among the first, second and third newborn. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity seems to be higher in triple pregnancies. Adverse neonatal outcomes are related to the high rate of severe prematurity.

Maternal morbidity on 147 triplets: single institution experience.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence and characteristics of maternal complications in triple pregnancies. An additional objective was to study the relation between assisted reproductive techniques and maternal complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study on 147 triplets assisted at the Gynecology and Obstetrics department of La Paz University Hospital between 2000 and 2010. We analyzed the incidence of maternal complications and their relation to assisted reproductive techniques. RESULTS: One triplet was observed every 711 pregnancies. The most frequent maternal complications were spontaneous preterm labor (56%), premature rupture of membranes (28.9%), anemia (24.4%) and preeclampsia (20.4%). Triplets conceived by assisted reproductive techniques were significantly more likely to develop spontaneous preterm labor than spontaneous pregnancies (60% vs. 40%, respectively; p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Triplets have a very high risk of maternal complications such as preeclampsia. Moreover, the presence of spontaneous preterm labor is more frequent in triplets conceived by assisted reproductive techniques than in those spontaneously conceived.