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Importance of screening serological examination of umbilical blood and the blood of the mother for timely diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis.

Veleminsky M, Veleminsky M, Fajfrlik K, Kolarova L.
Journal Article 2010; 31(3): 310-312 PubMed PMID: 20588240 Citation  Keywords:  Animals, Antibodies, Protozoan:blood, Female, Fetal Blood:immunology, Humans, Immunoglobulin A:blood, Immunoglobulin M:blood, Infant, Newborn, Parturition:blood, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious:blood, Serologic Tests:methods, Toxocara canis.   

OBJECTIVE: Parasitic diseases, particularly the congenital form of toxoplasmosis, can negatively affect the mortality and morbidity of newborns and infants.

METHODS: The authors examined 152 samples of umbilical blood in 152 women who had experienced premature delivery with or without PROM. The samples were examined for the titre of antibodies - the CFR, levels of immunoglobulins IgA and IGM (toxoplasmosis) and for titres of antibodies against toxocariasis.

RESULTS: No presence of IGM was demonstrated in association with the congenital form of toxoplasmosis. The values of titres of antibodies against toxocariasis were negative. There was only one case of a titre in a newborn higher than that in the mother. There was no clinical manifestation of the disease.

CONCLUSION: In spite of the negative result, the authors point out the possibility of a timely diagnosis of these parasitic diseases....

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Neonatal and maternal concentrations of hydroxil radical and total antioxidant system: protective role of placenta against fetal oxidative stress.

Lista G, Castoldi F, Compagnoni G, Maggioni C, Cornélissen G, Halberg F.
Journal Article 2010; 31(3): 319-324 PubMed PMID: 20588236 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Antioxidants:metabolism, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Fetal Blood:metabolism, Gestational Age, Humans, Hydroxyl Radical:blood, Infant, Newborn, Male, Oxidative Stress:physiology, Parturition:blood, Placenta:physiology, Pregnancy,.   

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may cause peroxydation of lipids, proteins and deoxyribonucleic acids with subsequent cell damage. The hydroxyl radical (OH*) represents a measure of global oxidative stress. Hydroxyl radicals are short-lived; they form an important part of radical chemistry nonetheless. The measure of total antioxidant system (TAS) can give useful information about the extent of defence capable of counteracting the oxidative damage. Pregnancy is an important condition that favors oxidative stress in the fetus. Clinical studies indicate a protective mechanism against O2 toxicity in the human feto-placental unit.

AIM: This study reports the OH* and TAS concentrations in mother and fetus at birth to evaluate the role of the placenta against fetal oxidative stress.

METHODS: Blood samples were collected at delivery from 45 healthy women at term and from their newborns. The maternal and neonatal OH* and TAS concentrations were compared by paired Student t-test.

RESULTS: OH* was higher in maternal blood than in cord blood (573.75+/- 170.0 UCarr/l vs 40.08+/-33.37 UCarr/l) (p<0.01); TAS concentrations did not differ between the two groups (1.11+/-0.09 mmol/l vs 1.17+/-0.12 mmol/l). Multiple regression analyses: maternal and neonatal OH* decreases with maternal age; only maternal TAS and OH* are related to gestational age in a nonlinear fashion. Female infants showed higher values of maternal and neonatal TAS as compared to male infants.

CONCLUSION: TA protective role of the placenta against oxidative damage is in keeping with a large enough gradient of ROS (between mother and fetus) and the passage of TAS from mother to fetus....

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