The main role of HLA-G is to protect the semi-allogeneic embryo from immune rejection by proper interaction with its cognate receptors on the maternal immune cells. Spontaneous abortion is the most common adverse pregnancy outcome, with an incidence rate between 10% and 15%, with immunologic dysregulation being thought to play a role in some of the cases. In this study, we aimed to detect the membrane and soluble HLA-G molecule at the maternal–fetal interface (MFI) and in the serum of women experiencing missed abortion (asymptomatic early pregnancy loss) in comparison to the women experiencing normal early pregnancy. In addition, the proportion of T cells and their cytotoxic profile was evaluated. We observed no difference in the spatial expression of HLA-G at the MFI and in its serum levels between the women with missed abortions and those with normal early pregnancy. In addition, comparable numbers of peripheral blood and decidual total T and γδT cells were found. In addition, as novel data we showed that missed abortion is not associated with altered extravilous invasion into uterine blood vessels and increased cytotoxicity of γδT cells. A strong signal for HLA-G on non-migrating extravilous trophoblast in the full-term normal placental bed was detected. In conclusion, HLA-G production at the MFI or in the blood of the women could not be used as a marker for normal pregnancy or missed abortions.

BACKGROUND: There are some data in the literature that show an increased incidence of breech presentation and other non-cephalic presentations in vitro fertilization (IVF) singleton pregnancies compared to spontaneous ones. AIM: The purpose of our study was to compare IVF and spontaneous singleton pregnancies in terms of frequency of breech presentation and its impact on the mode of delivery. Furthermore, we wanted to study the rate of transverse and oblique lie in both groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective and retrospective study at “Maichin Dom” University Hospital in Sofia, Bulgaria for the period from January 2013 to December 2017 and analyzed 402 singleton IVF pregnancies and compared them with 523 spontaneous singleton pregnancies. The primary outcome was a breech presentation of the fetus. RESULTS: We found a significantly higher rate of breech presentation in IVF compared to spontaneous pregnancies (p < 0.001). According to gestational age, the difference between the groups persisted when the pregnancy was at least the 32nd week of gestation. We found no difference in the frequency of vaginal birth in the two groups when the fetus was in breech presentation CONCLUSION: IVF singleton pregnancies are associated with a higher risk of breech presentation. Further research is needed to determine the factors contributing to the higher incidence of breech presentation among patients undergoing IVF.

Coronavirus disease 2019 represents a serious challenge for modern society worldwide because of the considerable and unfavourable consequences of the pandemic in terms of human health, economics and social life. In the present concise survey, some essential peculiarities of ozone as disinfecting and therapeutic means under the conditions of COVID-19 pandemic as reflected in the recent literature are described. Particularttention is paid to modern hospital disinfection means and methods. Ozone exerts antiviral activity through the inhibition of viral replication and direct inactivation of viruses by interfering with the virus replication phase and attacking capsid proteins. Ozone therapy is very inexpensive and may safely exploit the critical vulnerability in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Birth after IVF is increasingly observed in modern obstetrics, so knowledge of its features is of paramount importance for clinical practice. AIM: The purpose of our study was to compare IVF and spontaneous singleton pregnancies in terms of cesarean section rate, operative vaginal birth rate, induction of labor, manual removal of the placenta in vaginal births, severe PPH and need for blood transfusion after delivery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study at "Maichin Dom" University Hospital in Sofia, Bulgaria for the period from January 2013 to December 2017 and analyzed 402 singleton IVF pregnancies and compared them with 523 spontaneous singleton pregnancies RESULTS: We found a significantly higher rate of cesarean sections in IVF compared to spontaneous pregnancies [OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.4-2.14; p0.05). Severe PPH and blood transfusions were three times higher in patients after IVF undergoing a cesarean section than in those with spontaneous singleton pregnancies [OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.11 - 8.11; p=0.018]. CONCLUSION: IVF singleton pregnancies are associated with a higher risk of cesarean section as well as some obstetric complications. Obstetricians should treat these pregnancies with caution in order to reduce cesarean section rate and improve the outcome.