To evaluate the risk of abortion after genetic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies, a retrospective study of 15 centers was performed. The spontaneous abortion rate up to 20 completed weeks of gestation was 2.3%; the abortion rate up to 28 completed weeks, as defined by WHO, was 3.7%. The abortion rate could not be correlated either with the number of needle insertions or with the type of marker dye used. There was also no correlation between the abortion rate and the gestational age at which amniocentesis was performed. A significant association was shown between congenital intestinal obstructions and the application of methylene blue intra-amniotically as a marker dye. Considering the increased natural loss rate in multiple gestations, amniocentesis in twin pregnancies seems to be a safe and reliable technique.

Short- and long-term cultures of chorionic villi obtained in the 11th week of pregnancy revealed trisomy 14. After induced abortion trisomy 14 mosaicism was established in fetal skin and umbilical cord tissue while a second long-term culture of chorionic villi exhibited a normal karyotype. The results of the pathological investigations are discussed with respect to the cytogenetic findings.

In view of the high cure rates of Trichomonas vaginitis after vaccination with the immunotherapeutic drug Solco Trichovac Gynatren, the therapeutic efficacy of this regimen in nonspecific vaginitis was investigated. 94 patients were treated in a multicentre study. Concurrent with a decrease of pathogens, the growth of a normal lactobacilli flora was observed. The degree of vaginal purity according to Schröder and the vaginal pH returned to normal. A cure or at least a marked improvement of symptoms was documented in about 80% of patients. Compared to conventional forms of therapy, this regimen protects against reinfection, thus providing a decisive advantage.

Twenty-five cases of congenital rubella syndrome were recorded in 1,458,126 live births in 19 EUROCAT birth defects registries from 1980 to 1986. During the study period, the incidence declined steadily from 3.50 to 0.41 per 100,000 births. Rubella infection occurred in 12 multiparous women indicating failure in immunization programme.

In an open clinical trial 94 women with recurrent bacterial vaginitis were treated with the immunotherapeutic Gynatren/SolcoTrichovac. Vaginal flora was examined before, during and 4 weeks after completion of the vaccination. Significant reduction in the amounts of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus B, Enterococci, Bactewides, Gardnerella vaginalis as well as aberrant lactobacilli was observed. On the other hand Döderlein bacilli, normal residents of the vagina, which were found to be absent in 70 % and reduced in about 30% of the patients prior to the treatment normalized as a result of treatment. The clinical picture showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement.