The endometrial-myometrial interface (EMI) is an important region of the human uterus, which has attracted little research attention. This mucosal-muscular interface has characteristic features when compared with other similar interfaces in the human body. It lacks an intervening tissue layer and as a result, the endometrium sits directly on the myometrium rendering it vulnerable to invasion by the endometrium. Both endometrium and myometrium are sensitive to sex steroids, and their structure and function depend to a large extent on the sex hormonal milieu. Endometrium, which forms one border of the EMI, is a complex tissue consisting of several polarized microenvironments. At a cellular level, sex steroids interact with local mediators secreted by a variety of cell types and are important in maintaining the complex structure and function of the endometrium. Basal endometrium contains prominent aggregates of leukocytes that may be important in controlling local cell growth and function. Myometrium also has a distinct zonal anatomy. The recently described junctional zone differs structurally and functionally from the outer myometrium, although these functions are not yet clearly understood. Embryologically, it originates from müllerian ducts together with endometrium, whereas the outer myometrium has a non-müllerian origin. During early pregnancy, the EMI is disturbed by invading trophoblast. Alterations of myometrial intercellular matrix proteins together with expression of appropriate receptors by the trophoblast seem to regulate this unique interaction. The EMI also is disrupted in adenomyosis. The sequence of events taking place at the EMI during development of this pathology is still debated.
The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) is a not-for-profit organization and was founded in 1972 by member organizations in 18 countries. WONCA now has 118 Member Organizations in 131 countries and territories with a membership of about 500,000 family doctors and more than 90 percent of the world's population. WONCA has seven regions, each of which has its own regional Council and run their own regional activities including conferences. WONCA South Asia Region is constituted by the national academies and colleges and academic member organizations of this region namely India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives. In the background of the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, the office bearers, academic leaders, practitioners, and researchers of primary care from the South Asia Region have issued a solidarity statement articulating the role of primary care physicians.
Primary Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy is a serious threat to the fetus. Although vertical transmission is likely to occur as a result of maternal infection, the rate of permanent sequelae is higher among infants born to mothers with primary CMV infection. Diagnosis of CMV infection among healthy adults generally relies on serological testing as most of them are asymptomatic. CMV infection in pregnancy is barely studied in Sri Lanka. This study aims in screening for CMV infection of selected pregnant population in a major maternity hospital and to describe associated factors with seropositivity. This study included 385 pregnant women in second trimester presented during a period of 6 months. Mothers with immunocompromised states were not recruited. Questionnaire was used to gather sociodemographic and clinical factors. All serum samples were tested for CMVIgG and IgG-avidity assay for seropositives. CMV-IgM test was carried out on samples with negative CMV-IgG and low/equivocal-avidity levels. All 3 seromarkers were tested using commercial Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays. Data were analyzed by SPSS. Majority (97%) of the population were positive for CMV-IgG. CMV-avidity was low, equivocal or high in 0.25%, 2.75% and 97% of IgG seropositives respectively. Age, bad obstetric history and multiparity didn't show association with IgG seropositivity. In conclusion, CMV seroprevalence was high in this study population with low rates of recent primary infection. Education regarding preventive measures for CMV infection in antenatal care has a value as some proportion were seronegative for CMV with prone to get new infections.
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