Placentitis is an inflammation of the placenta. The main forms of placentitis are: Villitis, inflammation of chorionic villi. Intervillositis, inflammation of the intervillous space. It may be caused by vertically transmitted infections. Because of the close proximity, placentitis often occurs simultaneously as funisitis (inflammation of the umbilical cord) and chorioamnionitis (inflammation of the fetal membranes). Chronic lymphocytic placental inflammation occurs in 5% to 15% of pregnancies, and are generally not associated with documented infection..