Fusobacterium nucleatum induces premature and term stillbirths in pregnant mice: implication of oral bacteria in preterm birth - PubMed (original) (raw)

FIG. 2.

Histologic and immunohistochemical analysis of the sequence of infection and host response to F. nucleatum at 24 h (b and c), 48 h (d), and 72 h (e, f, g, and h) postinfection. (a) Basic anatomy of the placenta and membranes with the surrounding uterus at day 16 of gestation. The placenta includes the chorioallantoic plate, labyrinth (where vascularized fetal tissue and trophoblast-lined maternal blood spaces interdigitate for gas exchange), spongiotrophoblast, margin zone (junction of the decidua basalis, decidua capsularis, and Reichert's membrane of the parietal yolk sac), and Reichert's membrane. The membranes include the visceral yolk sac and amnion. The uterus includes the decidua capsularis, decidua basalis, myometrium, and endometrium. Magnification, 20×. (b) Immunoreactive F. nucleatum within a large venous sinus in the decidua basalis (DB). Venous sinuses separate the lateral decidua basalis into the upper portion of the decidua basalis, adjacent to the spongiotrophoblast, and the lower portion of the decidua basalis, adjacent to the myometrium. Magnification, 400×. (c) Single focus of F. nucleatum above a venous sinus in the upper decidua basalis. Magnification, 200×. (d) Neutrophilic response to F. nucleatum in the lower portion of the decidua basalis. Magnification, 100×. (e) Massive proliferation of F. nucleatum in the upper portion of decidua basalis. Degenerating neutrophilic exudate is seen in the lower portion of the decidua basalis. Magnification, 200×. (f) Lateral spread of proliferating F. nucleatum in the upper portion of the decidua basalis. Magnification, 40×. (g) Placenta and membranes (lateral at right, medial at left), showing spread of F. nucleatum to the margin. F. nucleatum has penetrated Reichert's membrane to colonize the visceral yolk sac and amnion. Magnification, 20×. (h) Infection of the amnion. Magnification, 200×.. A, amnion; CP, chorioallantoic plate; DB, decidua basalis; DC, decidua capsularis; Em, endometrium; Lab, labyrinth; margin, margin zone; MYO, myometrium; RM, Reichert's membrane of parietal yolk sac; SP, spongiotrophoblast; VS, venous sinus; VYS, visceral yolk sac.