ESCHERICHIA-COLI INFECTION IN MICE AND IMPAIRED FETAL DEVELOPMENT

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 59  (3) , 292-297
Abstract
Investigations were undertaken, using the mouse as an animal model, to study the effect of E. coli on fetal development. The i.v. injection of 7.5 .times. 106 bacteria, originally obtained from a suspected case of human pyelonephritis, caused only a mild and transient disturbance of maternal health but caused severe fetal wastage. Groups of mice were examined 4, 7 and 11 days after infection and the numbers of organisms were determined in the spleen, liver, kidneys, placentas and resorptions. E. coli grew preferentially in the placentas. By the 7th day the placentas showed marked degenerative and necrotic changes and the bacteria were recovered from the majority of fetuses at this time. Histologically, no significant changes were seen in the spleen, liver and kidneys. Coliform bacteremia in human pregnancies may also cause infections in the placenta and bring about abortion or premature delivery.