Intrauterine infection with mumps virus.

The histopathologic study of 3 cases of gestational mumps is presented. The tissue studies was obtained from a spontaneous abortion (case 1) and from 2 therapeutic abortions (cases 2 and 3). Severe placental and fetal lesions were observed, indicating a probable association with maternal mumps. The main placental lesion was a diffuse proliferative necrotic villitis with severe lesions in the fetal vascular circuit, probably the cause of death. In the fetal viscera, areas of necrosis and mineralization were observed. Viral inclusions identical to those described in mumps infection were observed in the chorionic and fetal tissues.