Identification of viral infections in pregnancy by assay of (2'-5')-oligo-isoadenylate synthetase.

Interferons are produced in response to viral infections. Among the biochemical changes they cause in cells is the induction of the enzyme (2'-5')-oligo-isoadenylate synthetase. The activity of this enzyme can be measured and this can indicate exposure and response of cells to interferon. The efficacy of such an assay of peripheral blood of pregnant women may aid in establishing screening guidelines for potentially teratogenic viral infections. The blood of 44 primigravidas with complaints of fever, myalgia, cough, vaginal discharge and/or costovertebral angle tenderness was assayed for activity of the enzyme (2'-5')-oligo-isoadenylate synthetase and compared to assays of the enzyme activity in a group of 37 healthy primigravidas which served as a control group. It was found that the group with viral infections had an increase in enzyme activity from twice to 15 times the normal value, with characteristic rises of enzyme activity in several viruses known or suspected to cause human defects. Several general guidelines are proposed to assist the obstetrician in determining a viral etiology of acute illness in pregnancy, It is suggested that the assay of enzyme activity of (2'-5')-oligo-isoadenylate synthetase may provide a simple tool for rapid diagnosis of viral infections in pregnancy.