Intrauterine Candida albicans infection elicits severe inflammation in fetal sheep

Matthew S. Payne, Matthew W. Kemp*, Suhas G. Kallapur, Paranthaman Senthamarai Kannan, Masatoshi Saito, Yuichiro Miura, John P. Newnham, Sarah Stock, Demelza J. Ireland, Boris W. Kramer, Alan H. Jobe

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Preventing preterm birth and subsequent adverse neonatal sequelae is among the greatest clinical challenges of our time. Recent studies suggest a role for Candida spp. in preterm birth and fetal injury, as a result of their colonization of either the vagina and/or the amniotic cavity. We hypothesized that intraamniotic Candida albicans would cause a vigorous, acute fetal inflammatory response.

METHODS: Sheep carrying singleton pregnancies received single intraamniotic injections of either saline (control) or 10(7) colony-forming units C albicans 1 or 2 d prior to surgical delivery and euthanasia at 124 +/- 2 d gestation.

RESULTS: Colonization of the amniotic cavity by C albicans resulted in a modest inflammatory response at 1 d and florid inflammation at 2 d, characterized by fetal thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia, and significant increases of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in the fetal membranes skin, lung, and the amniotic fluid.

CONCLUSION: Acute colonization of the amniotic cavity by C albicans causes severe intrauterine inflammation and fetal injury. C. albicans is a potent fetal pathogen that can contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)716-722
Number of pages7
JournalPediatric Research
Volume75
Issue number6
Early online date23 Apr 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2014

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
  • BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS
  • PRETERM BIRTH
  • INTRAAMNIOTIC ENDOTOXIN
  • UREAPLASMA INFECTION
  • VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS
  • AMNIOTIC-FLUID
  • OVINE SKIN
  • DIVERSITY
  • PREGNANCY

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  • Centre for Reproductive Resillience

    Pollard, J. (Principal Investigator)

    MRC

    12/09/1111/09/16

    Project: Research

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