Obstetric, perinatal and sexually transmitted infections Flashcards
Why does the immune system change during pregnancy?
- Foetus are non-self, if immune system didn’t change then may reject foetus
What are the immune system changes during pregnancy?
- Placenta acts as immunological barrier
- reduce expression of class 1 MHC antigens on placental cells
- placental syncytium blocks transit of immune system
- T cells inhibited, specifically natural killer cells and T helper one cells
What is the function of T helper one cells?
Respond to intracellular pathogens e.g. viruses and bacteria
What are the consequences for the mother of the lowered immune system?
- increased likelihood of severe symptomatic poliovirus or Hep A
- Rheumatoid arthritis often ameliorates (less painful)
- systemic lupus erythematous can flare up
Describe immune system off foetus
- Few foetal IgM and IgA antibodies produced until second half pregnancy
- No foetal CMI (cell mediated immunity)
- Few foetal IgG antibody produced throughout pregnancy
- Maternal IgG does help protect baby
What infections are more severe in pregnancy?
- Malaria (RBCs infected by malaria can accumulate at placenta)
- Influenza
- UTI (get urinary incontinence due to obstruction, often get pyelonephritis)
- Candidiasis
- Listeriosis
- Varicella
What are the methods of mother to baby transmission?
- Intrauterine infection (during pregnancy) through placenta
- Perinatal transmission (during birth, blood and body fluid mixing)
- Post natal through breast milk e.g. HTLV (human T-lymphotropic virus)
What congenital infections can be transferred through intrauterine transmission?
- Rubella
- Parovirus B19
- CMV (cytomegalla virtu)
- syphilis
- Toxoplasma gondii
- Varicella zoster virus
TORCH synonym o=others
What congenital infections can be transferred through perinatal transmission?
- HIV
- HBV
- Group B streptococci
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Neisseria gonorrhoea
What is the incubation period of rubella?
14-21 days
What are the symptoms of rubella?
- Fever
- Malaise
- irregular maculopapular rash
- Not very serious
When does rubella become a serious problem?
- Maternal infection of rubella
- particularly in first 16 weeks
- causes sensorineural deafness, diabetes mellitus later in life and can cause cataracts, brain and heart problems
What is rubella infection transmitted by the mother called?
Congenital rubella syndrome
What are the symptoms of erythrovirus (pathovirus B19)?
- Febrile Illness in children and maculopapular rash on face (slapped cheek syndrome)
- or can get symptomless infection, commonly in pregnancy
What happens with B19 in pregnancy?
- very dangerous if infected between weeks 10-20 of pregnancy
- get foetal anaemia due to high number of erythrocytes being made at this time which are targeted by virus
- this causes heart failure and then hydrops foetalis (swelling of baby) can be fatal
How do you try to prevent B19 in pregnant women?
- Tell pregnant women to look out for any children with raises and inform doctor if do come in contact
- Ask children who come to practice and have B19 or rubella if they have had contact with any pregnant women
What should be done if a pregnant women has been in contact with someone with a rash?
- take blood sample to check for presence of immunity or current infections of rubella
- If non-immune another blood sample will be taken 4 weeks after contact to check again
- if positive for infection or immunity B19 given intrauterine blood transfusion rubella termination options
Cytomegalovirus diagnostic test?
- Urine PCR for baby as more virus present in urine than blood
- For women can use blood given when initially booked in to check
is Cytomegalovirus rare?
not very rare 1 in 100 babies, wide range of severity
What factors affect the severity of cytomegalovirus in pregnant women?
- Primary infection (first time) far greater risk of severe disease than if infection has just been reactivated
What type of virus if CMV?
Herpes
What is the severest CMV?
- CMV inclusion disease where affects liver, spleen, blood, brain and eyes
- CMV can also be asymptotic or cause unilateral deafness