Rubella virus, infecting the placental villi

Abstract

A 20-year-old woman infected with rubella virus at 19 weeks of gestation presented the clinical symptoms of rubella infection and whose placenta was obtained at 37 weeks for the observation. A light microscopical study using a standard light photomicroscope (MC63A Zeiss) was employed to detect morphological changes in the structure of the placental villi. Presence of mononuclear cells in the decidua of the basal plate showed acquired placental infection confirmed by RT-PCR. Death of stem villi appeared under fibrinoid deposition. Degenerative changes were noted in the stromal region of these villi. Clear spaces in this zone indicated tissue destruction and cellular death. Some villi were seen with inflamed syncytium and others were noted in severe edematous condition. The tree villous was severely affected by the viral activity damaging the normal interchange of gases and nutrients.