[Histopathologic findings in CD1 albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei in pregnancy. Experimental model for pathology of the feto- placental unit in malaria].

Three study groups of pregnant CD1 albino mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with Plasmodium berghei on the 6th (Group I), 13th (Group II) and 18th (Group III) day of gestation. Two control Groups were included, one of non pregnant mice (Group IV) and the other of pregnant non inoculated mice. Group IV was inoculated in the same day of group I. All mice of these two Groups died. Of the 20 mice in Group II 8 died, 7 delivered prematurely and 5 gave birth of low birth weight offspring. The 15 mice in Group III delivered normally with only 4 low birth weight offspring and no deaths. Histological examination revealed total placental necrosis, resorption of the products of conception and widespread foci of hepatic necrosis, malarial pigment accumulation in Group I. Such changes were also present in 8 mice of Group II, but the remainder of the Group retained the product of conception, had marked morphological changes in the placenta and moderate focal hepatic necrosis and malarial pigment accumulation. Group III had mild placental changes and moderate pigment accumulation. The products of conception displayed marked hepatic hematopoiesis in Group II while it was moderate in Group III. No parasitized red cells were observed in the fetal circulation. The stage of gestation at which the malarial infection was contracted was decisive. Malarial infection does not cross the placental barrier so its pathogenetic effects are felt in the maternal circulation with variable effects on the products of conception.