Browsing by Author "Zungu, Mondi"
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- ItemHistopathology of the placenta in HIV positive women(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015-12) Zungu, Mondi; Hall, David R.; Wright, Colleen A.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Objectives To describe the histopathological (macro- and microscopic) findings in placentae of mothers with HIV and to investigate the influence of maternal ARV therapy on histopathology, as well as to investigate the influence of immune suppression (CD4 count) on histopathology. Methods A retrospective audit of placentae collected between 2009 and 2010 from mothers with HIV disease was performed. Placentae were examined according to the standard protocol used by the Division of Anatomical Pathology (Appendix B). Data were extracted from the files and reports by the MMed student and loaded onto a database in a strictly anonymous fashion. Women with HIV plus co-morbidities specifically affecting placental function such as diabetes mellitus and pre-eclampsia were noted but not excluded from the study. Results There were 200 HIV cases that were identified during the study. Of the 200 cases 196 had histopathology results. The main placental findings in the study were that of maternal vascular under-perfusion (36%), ascending infection (29%) including chorioamnionitis and small placenta (15%). However, there was no significant difference in pathological diagnostic groups between the CD4 counts of the less than or greater than 350 cells/mm3. Conclusion Maternal vascular under-perfusion, ascending infection and small placenta may be linked to HIV placental infection, but further higher powered, controlled studies need to be done.