| Autor: |
Helmo FR; a Department of General Pathology , Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Minas Gerais , Brazil., Alves EAR; b Department of Immunology, Oncology Research Institute (IPON), Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Minas Gerais , Brazil., Moreira RAA; b Department of Immunology, Oncology Research Institute (IPON), Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Minas Gerais , Brazil., Severino VO; a Department of General Pathology , Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Minas Gerais , Brazil., Rocha LP; a Department of General Pathology , Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Minas Gerais , Brazil., Monteiro MLGDR; a Department of General Pathology , Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Minas Gerais , Brazil., Reis MAD; a Department of General Pathology , Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Minas Gerais , Brazil., Etchebehere RM; c Department of Surgical Pathology , Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Minas Gerais , Brazil., Machado JR; a Department of General Pathology , Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Minas Gerais , Brazil.; d Department of General Pathology , Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás , Goiânia , Brazil., Corrêa RRM; a Department of General Pathology , Institute of Biological and Natural Sciences, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro , Minas Gerais , Brazil. |
| Abstrakt: |
Preterm birth accounts for nearly one million deaths among children under five years of age, and although its etiopathogenesis is not fully elucidated, ascending intrauterine infection and fetal inflammatory response seem to be the main triggers. The intense inflammatory response mediated by IL-1β, TNF-α, PAF, IFN-γ and IL-6, PGE 2 and MMP-1 and MMP-9 causes fetal membrane damage and rupture, increased uterine contractions and biochemical and structural changes in the cervix. Furthermore, preterm neonates have deficient innate and adaptive immune responses characterized by reduced levels of IgG, opsonization and phagocytosis, as well as increased activation of Th1 cells in relation to Th2 cells. Therefore, this triad is favors the occurrence of neonatal complications, such as respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Due to serious maternal and child health complications of intrauterine infection, several studies have tried to identify biomarkers for the early diagnosis of this entity. This literature review aims to discuss the main scientific findings regarding the association between ascending intrauterine infection, immune system and preterm birth. |
