[Relationship of cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae and herpes simplex virus type 2 infections with preeclampsia].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential relationship of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in inflammation and preeclampsia.

METHODS

Fifty-two pregnant women with preeclampsia and 34 with uncomplicated pregnancy in the third trimester were recruited. The exclusions included uterine contractions, multiple pregnancies, rupture of membranes, symptomatic infectious diseases, medical diseases and antibiotics or hormones users. Samples of maternal blood were harvested from two groups. Serum levels of CMV, CP, and HSV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies as well as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy controls.

RESULTS

(1) Recent infections of CMV, CP and HSV-2 were not more common in patients with preeclampsia versus normal pregnancy. The prevalence rates of long-dated CMV, CP and HSV-2 infection were 94.2% (49/52), 53.9% (28/52) and 3.9% (2/52) in preeclampsia group versus 100.0% (34/34), 55.9% (19/34) and 5.9% (2/34) in control group. No significant difference existed between two groups (P > 0.05). (2) Maternal serum concentrations of IL-6 and hs-CRP in patients with preeclampsia were significantly higher than that in normal pregnancy women ((7.2 ± 2.1) ng/L and (6.8 ± 5.6) mg/L vs (6.2 ± 1.8) ng/L and (4.6 ± 3.0) mg/L, both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Excessive inflammatory reactions are present in women with preeclampsia. But previous infections, as measured by IgM and IgG antibody seropositivity to CMV, CP and HSV-2, are not correlated with preeclampsia in the third trimester.