<i>Salmonella</i> Typhi-Exposed Placentae: Chorionic Villi Histomorphology and Neonatal Birthweight

Background: <i>Salmonella</i> infections impose a substantial global health burden, with an estimated 95.1 million cases occurring annually. Pregnant women exhibit a heightened vulnerability due to pregnancy-specific immune adaptations and dietary habits that increase their risk of <i...

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Main Authors: Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo, Joana Twasam, Kevin Kofi Adutwum-Ofosu, John Ahenkorah, Bismarck Afedo Hottor, Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie, Peter Ofori Appiah, Emmanuel Afutu, Fleischer C. N. Kotey, Emilia Asuquo Udofia, Nii Koney-Kwaku Koney, Benjamin Arko-Boham, Eric S. Donkor
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Diseases
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/7/205
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author Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo
Joana Twasam
Kevin Kofi Adutwum-Ofosu
John Ahenkorah
Bismarck Afedo Hottor
Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie
Peter Ofori Appiah
Emmanuel Afutu
Fleischer C. N. Kotey
Emilia Asuquo Udofia
Nii Koney-Kwaku Koney
Benjamin Arko-Boham
Eric S. Donkor
author_facet Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo
Joana Twasam
Kevin Kofi Adutwum-Ofosu
John Ahenkorah
Bismarck Afedo Hottor
Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie
Peter Ofori Appiah
Emmanuel Afutu
Fleischer C. N. Kotey
Emilia Asuquo Udofia
Nii Koney-Kwaku Koney
Benjamin Arko-Boham
Eric S. Donkor
author_sort Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo
collection DOAJ
description Background: <i>Salmonella</i> infections impose a substantial global health burden, with an estimated 95.1 million cases occurring annually. Pregnant women exhibit a heightened vulnerability due to pregnancy-specific immune adaptations and dietary habits that increase their risk of <i>Salmonella</i> exposure, facilitating possible damage to the placental barrier. Despite this significant burden, <i>Salmonella</i>-associated placental pathology remains poorly understood, particularly its impact on foetal development through microstructural alterations. Aim: This study utilised stereology to assess histomorphological and functional alterations in term placentae of <i>Salmonella</i> Typhi-exposed placentae, compared to unexposed controls. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Ghana. Of 237 screened women, 62 placentae were selected for analysis, comprising 31 <i>Salmonella</i>-exposed cases (IgG/IgM-positive in placental and cord blood) and 31 gestational age-matched controls (IgG/IgM-negative). Placental tissues were processed for histology and stereology. Neonatal birthweights were also compared. Results: Stereological assessment revealed significantly higher mean volume densities of syncytial knots in the study group (0.4755 ± 0.04) compared to the controls (0.3342 ± 0.04, <i>p</i> = 0.0219). Syncytial denudation was increased in the study group (0.8113 ± 0.09) relative to the controls (0.1975 ± 0.08, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Foetal capillary volume density was also significantly elevated in the study group (5.1010 ± 0.32) compared to the controls (3.562 ± 0.47, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). In contrast, intervillous space volume was significantly reduced in the study group (9.5810 ± 0.05) compared to the controls (11.593 ± 0.26, <i>p</i> = 0.0053). Neonates of exposed mothers showed a non-significant reduction in birthweight. Conclusion: <i>Salmonella</i> Typhi exposure in pregnancy induces subtle, yet significant alterations in placental architecture, compromising villous integrity and vascular organisation. Although birthweight may appear unaffected, the observed changes point to reduced placental efficiency and merit further research into their developmental consequences and long-term effects on babies.
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spelling doaj-art-c5322e84acca45cbae3ef250f97c6c7d2025-08-20T02:45:45ZengMDPI AGDiseases2079-97212025-06-0113720510.3390/diseases13070205<i>Salmonella</i> Typhi-Exposed Placentae: Chorionic Villi Histomorphology and Neonatal BirthweightPatience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo0Joana Twasam1Kevin Kofi Adutwum-Ofosu2John Ahenkorah3Bismarck Afedo Hottor4Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie5Peter Ofori Appiah6Emmanuel Afutu7Fleischer C. N. Kotey8Emilia Asuquo Udofia9Nii Koney-Kwaku Koney10Benjamin Arko-Boham11Eric S. Donkor12Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Anatomy, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Anatomy, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Anatomy, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Community Health, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Anatomy, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Anatomy, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra P.O. Box KB 4236, GhanaBackground: <i>Salmonella</i> infections impose a substantial global health burden, with an estimated 95.1 million cases occurring annually. Pregnant women exhibit a heightened vulnerability due to pregnancy-specific immune adaptations and dietary habits that increase their risk of <i>Salmonella</i> exposure, facilitating possible damage to the placental barrier. Despite this significant burden, <i>Salmonella</i>-associated placental pathology remains poorly understood, particularly its impact on foetal development through microstructural alterations. Aim: This study utilised stereology to assess histomorphological and functional alterations in term placentae of <i>Salmonella</i> Typhi-exposed placentae, compared to unexposed controls. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Ghana. Of 237 screened women, 62 placentae were selected for analysis, comprising 31 <i>Salmonella</i>-exposed cases (IgG/IgM-positive in placental and cord blood) and 31 gestational age-matched controls (IgG/IgM-negative). Placental tissues were processed for histology and stereology. Neonatal birthweights were also compared. Results: Stereological assessment revealed significantly higher mean volume densities of syncytial knots in the study group (0.4755 ± 0.04) compared to the controls (0.3342 ± 0.04, <i>p</i> = 0.0219). Syncytial denudation was increased in the study group (0.8113 ± 0.09) relative to the controls (0.1975 ± 0.08, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). Foetal capillary volume density was also significantly elevated in the study group (5.1010 ± 0.32) compared to the controls (3.562 ± 0.47, <i>p</i> < 0.0001). In contrast, intervillous space volume was significantly reduced in the study group (9.5810 ± 0.05) compared to the controls (11.593 ± 0.26, <i>p</i> = 0.0053). Neonates of exposed mothers showed a non-significant reduction in birthweight. Conclusion: <i>Salmonella</i> Typhi exposure in pregnancy induces subtle, yet significant alterations in placental architecture, compromising villous integrity and vascular organisation. Although birthweight may appear unaffected, the observed changes point to reduced placental efficiency and merit further research into their developmental consequences and long-term effects on babies.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/7/205<i>Salmonella</i> Typhiplacental histomorphologybirthweightstereologypregnancy complications
spellingShingle Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo
Joana Twasam
Kevin Kofi Adutwum-Ofosu
John Ahenkorah
Bismarck Afedo Hottor
Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie
Peter Ofori Appiah
Emmanuel Afutu
Fleischer C. N. Kotey
Emilia Asuquo Udofia
Nii Koney-Kwaku Koney
Benjamin Arko-Boham
Eric S. Donkor
<i>Salmonella</i> Typhi-Exposed Placentae: Chorionic Villi Histomorphology and Neonatal Birthweight
Diseases
<i>Salmonella</i> Typhi
placental histomorphology
birthweight
stereology
pregnancy complications
title <i>Salmonella</i> Typhi-Exposed Placentae: Chorionic Villi Histomorphology and Neonatal Birthweight
title_full <i>Salmonella</i> Typhi-Exposed Placentae: Chorionic Villi Histomorphology and Neonatal Birthweight
title_fullStr <i>Salmonella</i> Typhi-Exposed Placentae: Chorionic Villi Histomorphology and Neonatal Birthweight
title_full_unstemmed <i>Salmonella</i> Typhi-Exposed Placentae: Chorionic Villi Histomorphology and Neonatal Birthweight
title_short <i>Salmonella</i> Typhi-Exposed Placentae: Chorionic Villi Histomorphology and Neonatal Birthweight
title_sort i salmonella i typhi exposed placentae chorionic villi histomorphology and neonatal birthweight
topic <i>Salmonella</i> Typhi
placental histomorphology
birthweight
stereology
pregnancy complications
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/7/205
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