Possible role of bacterial and viral infections in miscarriages

Abstract

CapsuleWith the use of polymerase chain reaction, human papillomavirus and Chlamydia trachomatis were detected in 7.4 % and 1 % of placental samples from miscarriages, respectively. 2 Structured abstract and key wordsObjective: In order to determine the role of infections in miscarriages, chorionic villi from aborted material were subjected to cytogenetic evaluation and analysed for the presence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), adeno-associated virus (AAV) and human papillomaviruses (HPV).Design: Retrospective study. Setting: University hospital and academic research institution.Main Outcome Measure(s): Karyotyping and detection of bacterial and viral DNA by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in placenta specimens. Result(s):In 54 (50 %) of 108 samples the karyotype was normal, in 38 (35 %) samples it was abnormal and in 16 (15 %) samples karyotype was undetermined. No U. urealyticum, M. hominis, HCMV or AAV 2 DNA was detected, while C. trachomatis DNA was detected in one (1 %) and HPV DNA in eight (7 %) samples. No significant correlation of HPV positive findings with karyotype status was established. Conclusion(s):Our findings do not support a role of C. trachomatis, U. urealyticum, M. hominis, HCMV and AAV infections in miscarriages during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, further investigation should be made to determine a possible involvement of HPVs in the development of genetic abnormalities of the fetus, and in miscarriages.

Learning from Teen Childbearing Experiences of Close Friends: Evidence using Miscarriages as a Natural Experiment

“…Other frequent risk factors include anatomical or immunological abnormalities that can cause the mother's body to reject the pregnancy (Oats and Abraham 1995;Cramer and Wise 2000;Regan and Rai 2000;Lerner 2003). Infections, as well as certain systemic medical illnesses (diabetes, thyroid disease, lupus), are also believed to cause miscarriage, with as many as a half of pregnancies to women with diabetes ending in miscarriage (Oats and Abraham 1995;Cramer and Wise 2000;McDonald and Chambers 2000;Lerner 2003;Matovina et al 2004). There is also a tentative link between certain environmental factors (e.g.…”

Human Papillomavirus Positivity in Women Undergoing Intrauterine Insemination Has a Negative Effect on Pregnancy Rates

“…During this long period HPV virions and immunity against these virions could influence fertility. Only a limited number of studies have analyzed the clinical impact of HPV infections on fertility outcomes [12,13,14,15,16]. We retrospectively investigated the relationship between a cervical virion-productive HPV infection and intrauterine insemination (IUI) outcome, as well as the relationship with coexistent CT and TV infections.…”

Uterine NK Cells Mediate Inflammation-Induced Fetal Demise in IL-10-Null Mice

“…In this context, an array of factors may impel the maternal immune system toward antifetal responses. Indeed, infection and other inflammatory insults are associated with a host of pregnancy complications in humans (4,5).…”