Molecular Detection and Genotypic Characterization of in Paraffin-Embedded Fetoplacental Tissues of Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion.

BACKGROUND

Congenital toxoplasmosis is an important cause of spontaneous abortion worldwide. However, there is limited information on detection and genotypic characterization of in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). The aim of this study is the molecular detection and genotypic characterization of in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded fetoplacental tissues (FFPTs) of women with RSA that have referred to the Avicenna Research Institute in Tehran, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This experimental research was undertaken on 210 FFPTs of women with RSA. The information of the patients was collected from the archives of Avicenna Research Institute in Tehran, Iran. After DNA extraction, the presence of T. gondii was examined by nested polymerase chain reaction targeting the GRA6 gene. Genotyping was performed on positive samples using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) that targeted the and genes. Sequencing was conducted on two GRA6 positive samples.

RESULTS

DNA was detected in 3.8% (8/210) of the samples. Genotyping showed that all positive samples belonged to type III of the genotype. Sequencing two genomic DNAs of the GRA6 gene revealed 99% similarity with each other and 99-100% similarity with sequences deposited in GenBank. There were six patients with histories of more than three abortions; one patient had a healthy girl and another patient had two previous abortions. Abortions occurred in the first trimester of pregnancy in seven patients and in the second trimester of pregnancy in one patient.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study have indicated that genotype III is the predominant type of in women with RSA in Tehran, Iran. Also, our findings suggest that toxoplasmosis may play a role in the pathogenesis of RSA. However, further studies are needed to elucidate a clear relationship between infection and RSA.