Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been associated with impaired maternal immune response. Our aim was to review the available literature linking immune cells profile to GDM, in order to comprehend the role that different subpopulations play in the development of this pathology. We searched in PubMed for studies published in the last decade on circulating levels and placenta expression of immune cells on GDM. We identified 18 studies with several differences regarding the study design, clinical characteristics, number of participants, cell subpopulation and type of sample. Most studies assessed only one subpopulation either in peripheral blood or placenta and did not analyse functional properties of the cells. The most frequently evaluated immune cells were T lymphocytes, especially regulatory T (Tregs), and natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood, and placental macrophages. No studies analysing B cells were identified, and only one study each evaluating γδT cells, dendritic cell (DC) and monocytes was found. Although there are controversies, at least one study reported positive association between GDM and CD4⁺(activated), Tregs, Th17 and γδT cells; neutrophil/lymphocyte; NK cell (cytotoxic); macrophages; and monocytes. The number of studies is still small, so caution should be exercised in interpreting the data, and further research is required to validate these findings and establish the role of adaptive and innate immune cells in GDM pathophysiology.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition in women. There is an increased concern on reduction of bacterial susceptibility resulting from wrongly prescribing antimicrobials. This paper summarizes the recommendations of four Brazilian medical societies (SBI - Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases, FEBRASGO - Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations, SBU - Brazilian Society of Urology, and SBPC/ML - Brazilian Society of Clinical Pathology/Laboratory Medicine) on the management of urinary tract infection in women. Asymptomatic bacteriuria should be screened at least twice during pregnancy (early and in the 3rd trimester). All cases of significant bacteriuria (≥10⁵CFU/mL in middle stream sample) should be treated with antimicrobials considering safety and susceptibility profile. In women with typical symptoms of cystitis, dipsticks are not necessary for diagnosis. Urine cultures should be collected in pregnant women, recurrent UTI, atypical cases, and if there is suspicion of pyelonephritis. First line antimicrobials for cystitis are fosfomycin trometamol in a single dose and nitrofurantoin, 100mg every 6hours for five days. Second line drugs are cefuroxime or amoxicillin-clavulanate for seven days. During pregnancy, amoxicillin and other cephalosporins may be used, but with a higher chance of therapeutic failure. In recurrent UTI, all episodes should be confirmed by urine culture. Treatment should be initiated only after urine sampling and with the same regimens indicated for isolated episodes. Prophylaxis options of recurrent UTI are behavioral measures, non-antimicrobial and antimicrobial prophylaxis. Vaginal estrogens may be recommended for postmenopausal women. Other non-antimicrobial prophylaxis, including cranberry and immunoprophylaxis, have weak evidence supporting their use. Antimicrobial prophylaxis may be offered as a continuous or postcoital scheme. In pregnant women, options are cephalexin, 250-500mg and nitrofurantoin, 100mg (contraindicated after 37 weeks of pregnancy). Nonpregnant women may use fosfomycin trometamol, 3g every 10 days, or nitrofurantoin, 100mg (continuous or postcoital).

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a global public health concern. The mechanism that leads to glucose tolerance beyond normal physiological levels to pathogenic conditions remains incompletely understood, and it is speculated that the maternal microbiome may play an important role. This study analyzes the gut microbiota composition in each trimester of weight-matched women with and without GDM and examines possible bacterial genera associations with GDM. This study followed 56 pregnant women with GDM and 59 without admitted to the outpatient clinic during their first/second or third trimester of gestation. They were submitted to a standardized questionnaire, dietary recalls, clinical examination, biological sample collection, and molecular profiling of fecal microbiota. Women with GDM were older and had a higher number of pregnancies than normal-tolerant ones. There was no difference in alpha diversity, and the groups did not differ regarding the overall microbiota structure. A higher abundance of Bacteroides in the GDM group was found. A positive correlation between Christensenellaceae and Intestinobacter abundances with one-hour post-challenge plasma glucose and a negative correlation between Enterococcus and two-hour plasma glucose levels were observed. Bifidobacterium and Peptococcus abundances were increased in the third gestational trimester for both groups. The gut microbiota composition was not dependent on the presence of GDM weight-matched women throughout gestation. However, some genera abundances showed associations with glucose metabolism. Our findings may therefore encourage a deeper understanding of physiological and pathophysiological changes in the microbiota throughout pregnancy, which could have further implications for diseases prevention.