Infectious Agents and Miscarriage in Bulgaria

A number of infection agents have been linked to miscarriage and to other adverse outcomes of pregnancy, such as stillbirth and preterm delivery. The purpose of present study was to determine the implication and prevalence of viral agents (parvovirus B19, rubella, CMV and adenoviruses) and Chlamydia trachomatis in the etiology of miscarriage during the first and second trimester of pregnancy. A total of 62 serum samples from women with miscarriage (n=32) and control group of healthy women (n=30) for period January 2015 – June 2016 were tested by ELISA (detected of specific IgM/IgG antibodies) and PCR (detected of specific genomic region) assays. The possible role of B19V, Ch. trachomatis and adenoviruses for miscarriages were detected in 6/32 (18.75%) by ELISA and in 7/32 (21,87%) by PCR methods. The seroprevalence of protective IgG antibodies in the highest level was proven against rubella 25/32 (78,12%) and the lowest – against adenoviruses (1/32, 6,25%). All tested healthy women in the control group had a negative result for acute infection for the five tested infectious agents. The detailed study aimed at enriching the diagnostic palette of these infectious pathogens is necessary for understanding the exact mechanisms behind infection-induced miscarriages and could lead to effective treatment and thus prevention