Effect of Serovar Typhimurium in Pregnant Mice: A Biochemical and Histopathological Study.

BACKGROUND

Food borne infections caused by species are increasing globally and pregnancy poses a significant threat in developing countries, where sanitation facilities are inadequate. Thus, the present study was designed to delineate the effect of infection during pregnancy.

METHOD

Pregnant, BALB/c mice were challenged orally with serovar Typhimurium on gestational day 10 and were monitored for bacterial load, hepatic injury, histopathological alterations vis-a-vis oxidant and antioxidant levels.

RESULTS

Pregnant--infected mice had higher bacterial translocation in the liver, spleen as well as liver enzymes mainly aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase compared with infected mice. The levels of lipid peroxidation were significantly higher in all the organs of both pregnant-infected and -infected mice compared with control mice. However, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase) were lower in the liver, spleen and placenta of pregnant, pregnant--infected and infected mice compared with control mice, but the decrease was more in pregnant--infected mice indicating depression of antioxidant defense system. Histopathologically, pregnant--infected mice had more architectural damage in the liver, spleen and placenta compared with other groups.

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy makes the host more vulnerable to typhoid fever by affecting the physiology of pivotal organs and highlighting the importance of early and prompts diagnosis so as to avoid the further materno-fetal complications.