Placental Swabs Found Most Effective for Detection of Maternal Sepsis

The study performed by researchers from the University of Limerick (Limerick, Ireland) involved the analysis of nearly 2,000 specimens collected over five and a half years. The team retrospectively assessed the bacterial culture results from various specimens collected as part of a 'septic screen' designed to identify bacteria causing maternal infections leading to sepsis. The specimens included blood, urine, throat swabs, vaginal swabs, and placental swabs. By examining and comparing the results from these specimens for 430 women, the study found that placental swabs were the most effective in detecting the highest number of pathogens.

The study's findings indicate that placental swabs are valuable in identifying potential pathogens from the uterine cavity, which is the most common site of perinatal infections. This discovery is crucial as placental swabs are not routinely examined in many hospitals, meaning vital information that could influence the treatment of these infections might be overlooked. Currently, international guidelines for diagnosing maternal infections are inconsistent, and there is scant information in existing scientific literature about the utilization of placental swabs.

“Maternal sepsis may occur during pregnancy or when a C-section incision, tear or other wound from childbirth becomes infected in the days or weeks after giving birth,” explained Professor Colum Dunne who led the unique new study. “This study provides new information on how sepsis can be detected, and the organisms involved identified early, so that the best approach to successful treatment can be selected.”

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