Jack M. Graham

Endotoxin, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, or tumor necrosis factor-α do not acutely stimulate isolated murine myometrial contractile activity

Objectives: Endotoxin, interleukin-1 β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α have been implicated in the pathogenesis of preterm labor, but their acute effect on myometrial contractile activity is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine their effect on isolated pregnant murine myometrial contractile activity. Study Design: Isometric contractions were measured in myometrium isolated from pregnancy day 18 Swiss-Webster mice. Frequency, duration, amplitude, and integrated area were compared before and after the addition of endotoxin (10 3 and 10 4 ng/ml) ( n = 6), interleukin-1β (10 and 10 ng/ml) ( n = 6), interleukin-6 (1 and 10 ng/ml) ( n = 6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (1 and 10 ng/ml) ( n = 6). Results were analyzed with the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results: The addition of endotoxin, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, or tumor necrosis factor-α did not result in a change in the contractile activity of isolated pregnant murine myometrium compared with control. Conclusion: Endotoxin, interleukin-1 β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α do not acutely increase isolated murine myometrial contractile activity.

Massive septic pelvic thrombophlebitis

Background: Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis is a major complication of endometritis. The thrombi commonly occur in the uterine and/or ovarian veins and may extend into the inferior vena cava. Case: Following vaginal delivery, a 19‐year‐old woman, gravida 2, developed postpartum septic pelvic thrombophlebitis extending from the right ovarian vein up to the diaphragm and down to the femoral vein. The patient was treated successfully with heparin and antibiotics, and eventually was discharged on oral anticoagulants for an extended period. Follow‐up revealed complete resolution of the thrombus. Conclusion: Septic pelvic thrombophlebitis is not limited to the pelvis and lower abdominal vessels. (Obstet Gynecol 1993;82:662‐4)

Pregnancy outcome in Swiss-Webster mice infected with Chlamydia trachomatis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to observe pregnancy outcomes in mice infected transvaginally with Chlamydia trachomatis. Methods: Pregnant mice were inoculated transvaginally with either C. trachomatis (CT) or sterile calf serum (CON) on pregnancy day 4. Pregnancy outcomes as well as genital tract histology and culture were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using Fishers exact test and Students t-test. Results: Twenty-four of 26 CT mice had positive uterine cultures for C. trachomatis. Inflammation occurred in 9 (34.6%) (P = 0.002, 95% confidence interval = 1.7–3.5) and intrauterine fetal demise occurred in 5 (19.2%) (P = 0.05, 95% confidence interval = 1.6–2.9) of CT mice. No mice in the CON group (0/24) had positive uterine cultures, developed inflammation, or experienced intrauterine fetal demise. Conclusions: Lower genital tract chlamydial infection is associated with intrauterine fetal demise in Swiss-Webster mice.

Mumps, Measles, Rubella, and Roseola

Mumps is a contagious disease primarily of children and young adults. It is characterized by painful swelling of the parotid glands, but may involve several organs including the salivary glands, pancreas, meninges, and gonads.

IN VITRO SUSCEPTIBILITY TO TEMAFLOXACIN IN FEMALE GENITAL TRACT BACTEROIDES ISOLATES

Abstract Agar dilution susceptibility testing of temafloxacin, cefotetan, clindamycin, and ciprofloxacin was performed in 103 genital tract isolates of Bacteroides . The respective minimum inhibitory concentration inhibiting 90% of the strains tested were temafloxacin, 4 μg/ml; cefotetan, 256 μg/ml; clindamycin, 8 μg/ml; and ciprofloxacin, 16 μg/ml. Temafloxacin is effective against genital tract isolates of Bacteroides ; therefore, clinical evaluation of temafloxacin in pelvic infections is warranted.