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Objective: The purpose of the present investigation was to analyze the effets of zidovudine on the postimplantation embryo and fetus.Methods: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were given various doses (10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg) of zidovudine or saline by an endotracheal tube during the period of embryogenesis (days 6–8, 9–11, 6–11 postconception). The animals were sacrificed on days 18–19 of pregnancy, and their fetuses were removed by hysterotomy. Autopsies under low (15×) and high (40×) power light microscopy were performed on all fetuses.Results: There was no statistically significant difference among the groups with respect to maternal weight gain. There were more pregnancy resorptions in the group receiving high-dose zidovudine (150 mg/kg/day) throughout embryogenesis than in the control group (P = 0.001, respectively). Four major structural anomalies were noted among the 689 fetuses examined, but zidovudine was not associated with an increased frequency of congenital anomalies in rats when it was administered in doses similar to, 3-, and 15-fold higher than the regimen recommended for adult humans. The drug, however, was embryocidal in the high-dose group (P = 0.002).Conclusions: These findings are consistent with previous studies of preimplantation mouse embryos that demonstrated an embryocidal effect on preimplantation conceptuses. In summary, post-implantation embryonic zidovudine exposure was associated with significantly increased pregnancy losses (resorptions and intrauterine deaths).

Background. The incidence of unilateral twin ectopic pregnancy is a rare condition. Several factors increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy, the most important of which is pelvic inflammatory disease, followed by operative trauma, congenital anomalies, tumors, and adhesions resulting in anatomically distorted fallopian tubes. We present a case of a woman with a history of four confirmed sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, herpes simplex virus 2, and Treponema pallidum. The case illustrates the potential impact of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on the risk of a twin ectopic pregnancy. Case. A 24-year-old primigravida, presented with an unknown last menstrual period, lower abdominal pain, watery vaginal discharge, and vaginal spotting. During this hospitalization, serumβ-HCG testing was 263 mIU/mL and transvaginal ultrasonographic examination suggested a nonviable unilateral twin ectopic pregnancy. At exploratory laparotomy, a 10 cm mass involving the right fallopian tube and ovary was excised. Pathological evaluation of the specimen identified a monochorionic, diamnionic twin ectopic pregnancy within the fallopian tube. Conclusions Patients with a history of multiple (STIs) are known to be at risk for the development of chronic pelvic infection and postinflammatory scarring. The resulting distortion of the normal tubal anatomy leads to an increased risk of an uncommon presentation of ectopic pregnancy.