Ghardyan Gegham, Abrahamyan Lusine, Julhakyan Karen, Davtyan Hakob, Martirosyan Norayr, Arakelova Elina, Avagyan Hranush, Hakobyan Sona, Vardanyan Tigranuhi, Karalyan Naira, Karalyan Zaven
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology N 2, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan 0093, Armenia.
Republican Institute of Reproductive Health, Perinatology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yerevan 0078, Armenia.
Pathogens. 2025 Aug 1;14(8):764. doi: 10.3390/pathogens14080764.
This study was conducted in Armenia and included 32 pregnant women with TV infection and 30 healthy controls. The vaginal virome includes viruses that infect human cells and unicellular eukaryotes such as (TV). Among these are viruses (TVVs), double-stranded RNA viruses from the family, and giant DNA viruses that replicate in protozoa. This study investigated the presence of TVVs and giant protozoan viruses in pregnant women with trichomoniasis in Armenia and explored their potential associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Vaginal and urethral samples were collected from 32 pregnant women with confirmed TV infection and 30 healthy pregnant controls. TVVs and giant viruses (, , ) were detected using qRT-PCR. Viral RNA and DNA were extracted from clinical samples and TV cultures, followed by quantification and gene expression analysis. Selected TVVs were visualized via scanning electron microscopy. All TV-positive women carried at least one TVV strain, with 94% harboring multiple TVV types and TVV4 being the most common. TV infection was significantly associated with preterm birth and premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Giant viruses were identified in all TV-positive cases but in only 40% of controls. gene expression was observed in TV cultures, suggesting possible interactions. These findings highlight a potential role for protozoan viruses in reproductive complications and warrant further investigation.
本研究在亚美尼亚进行，纳入了32例患有滴虫感染的孕妇和30例健康对照。阴道病毒组包括感染人类细胞和单细胞真核生物（如滴虫）的病毒。其中有滴虫病毒（TVVs），属于双链RNA病毒科，以及在原生动物中复制的巨型DNA病毒。本研究调查了亚美尼亚滴虫病孕妇中TVVs和巨型原生动物病毒的存在情况，并探讨了它们与不良妊娠结局的潜在关联。从32例确诊为滴虫感染的孕妇和30例健康孕妇对照中采集阴道和尿道样本。使用qRT-PCR检测TVVs和巨型病毒（、、）。从临床样本和滴虫培养物中提取病毒RNA和DNA，随后进行定量和基因表达分析。通过扫描电子显微镜观察选定的TVVs。所有滴虫阳性女性至少携带一种TVV毒株，94%携带多种TVV类型，且TVV4最为常见。滴虫感染与早产和胎膜早破（PPROM）显著相关。在所有滴虫阳性病例中均鉴定出巨型病毒，但在对照中仅40%存在。在滴虫培养物中观察到基因表达，提示可能存在相互作用。这些发现凸显了原生动物病毒在生殖并发症中的潜在作用，值得进一步研究。
