Prevalence and influence of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum in 218 African pregnant women and their infants.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) and Mycoplasma hominis (Mh) in the lower genital tract of pregnant women, their evolution during pregnancy, and the effect of these pathogens on the outcome of pregnancy in Equatorial Africa. STUDY DESIGN: 218 pregnant women were followed from before 20 weeks gestational age through delivery. Samples were taken from the cervix at every visit and from the newborn at delivery and tested for Uu and Mh. The data were analysed using Student's t-test, the Mann-Whitney, or the chi 2-test. RESULTS: The prevalence of cervical colonization by Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis in pregnant women was 79% and 41% respectively. Colonization with Uu and Mh increased significantly throughout pregnancy (P < 0.001). Their presence was associated with lower gestational age at delivery, lower birth weight and increased neonatal morbidity and mortality (P < 0.05). Erythromycin therapy did not have any effect on the evolution of Uu and Mh colonization during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Uu and Mh are additional factors that might contribute to poor pregnancy outcome in a country where neonatal health is already impaired by many other microorganism.

[Impact of Chlamydia trachomatis on pregnant women in Gabon]. / Impacts de Chlamydia trachomatis sur les femmes enceintes au Gabon.

During two years 3,312 pregnant women has been screened for C. trachomatis. In spite of an improvement of the way of life and program of information on STD the rate of C. trachomatis have increased and reach a percentage of 22%. C. trachomatis is mostly found in women younger than 21 years and give no clinical sign in more than 55%. The consequence of this high degree of infection on the new born is difficult to assess but one cause, stress that 30% of the conjunctivitis are linked to C. trachomatis. Prevention has to be done to protect the newborn and to prevent the tubal infertility in young women.

[Ascariasis of the cervix]. / Ascaridiose du col utérin.

The authors report a case of ascaris lumbricoïdes located in the cervix uterus of a patient suffering from gonococcal salpingitis. Reviewing the literature, they conclude that the most likely way to the parts genitals was a transanal migration toward vagina.