Background: Fetal ovarian cysts are the main cause of abdominal cysts in female fetuses. Methods: Were collected maternal data, delivery, cyst characteristics and management. Study period: 2006 and first quarter of 2012. Results: 10 cases were diagnosed, all of them in the third trimester. The majority had unilateral left location. In 9 cases the birth was euthocic and one case of cesarean because of failure of induction. All of them with normal Apgar test and weights. One case needed postnatal surgery. The rest of the ovarian cyst solved spontaneously or reduced their sizes later. Conclusions: Ultrasound of the third trimester is critical in the diagnosis and management of fetal ovarian cysts, which are usually left unilateral location. Ovarian cysts <5 cm, have a better prognosis and most resolve spontaneously or not increase in size. We recommend a conservative approach and postnatal ultrasound monitoring. Those cysts which exceed 5 cm and not shrink postpartum may require surgical treatment.

Antecedentes: Los quistes ováricos fetales son la primera causa de quiste intraabdominal en fetos femeninos. Método: Se recogieron datos maternos, del parto, características del quiste y el manejo. Período de estudio: año 2006 y primer trimestre de 2012. Resultados: Se diagnosticaron 10 casos, todos ellos durante el tercer trimestre. Más frecuentemente unilaterales y de localización izquierda. En 9 de los casos el parto fue eutócico y a término. Uno concluyó en cesárea por fallo de inducción, con pesos fetales y Apgar normales. Sólo uno requirió cirugía posparto, el resto desapareció o redujeron su tamaño posteriormente. Conclusiones: La ecografía del tercer trimestre es fundamental en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los quistes ováricos fetales, los que suelen tener localización unilateral izquierda. Los quistes ováricos de menor tamaño (<5 cm), tienen un mejor pronóstico y la mayoría se resuelven espontáneamente o no aumentan su tamaño. Se recomienda una actitud conservadora y seguimiento posnatal de los fetos. Aquellos quistes que superan los 5 cm y no disminuyen de tamaño pueden precisar tratamiento quirúrgico posparto.

Anaplasma marginale is the causative agent of bovine anaplasmosis, a disease of worldwide economic importance. Major surface proteins (MSPs) are involved in host-pathogen and tick-pathogen interactions and they have been used as markers for the genetic characterization of A. marginale strains and phylogenetic studies. The major surface protein 5 (MSP5) is highly conserved in the genus Anaplasma and in all isolates of A. marginale. The aim of the present work was to carry out the cloning, sequencing and characterization of the recombinant MSP5 Anaplasma marginale Havana isolate. The sequence of the msp5 gene of Anaplasma marginale Havana isolate with a size of 633 pb was determined (Acc. No. AY527217). This gene was cloned into pRSETB vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. The MSP5 protein was recognized by the monoclonal antibody ANAF16C1 and it showed a high similitude percent with the gene sequence described for other Anaplasma marginale isolates. These data are very important for the development of a diagnostic test for A. marginale using the MSP5 recombinant protein.