Intrauterine Infection: Pathological Study on Chorioamnionitis and Villitis of Unknown Etiology

Abstract

Twenty-five placentae between 24 and 41 gestational weeks showing signs of intrauterine infection were studied pathologically. The placentae with chorioamnionitis at less than 33 gestational weeks had thick amniotic layers due to infiltration by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) and fibrin deposits. Umbilical cords also showed signs of infiltration and occasional calcification. The main cause of chorioamnionitis in these cases is ascending bacterial intrauterine infection had villitis with cholangiosis and dysmature villi in 6 placentae. The clarification of these infectious processes is difficult, and they are mostly diagnosed as villitis of unknown etiology (VUE). Autopsy data are useful for the clarification of infectious pathology in stillborn cases.