International audienceAdenovirus is frequently isolated from the amniotic fluid and implicated in severe neonatal infections. A case control study was performed to test the association of adenovirus detection in placentas with preterm birth and histologic chorioamnionitis. Placentas from preterm and term deliveries were prospectively collected. Preterm cases were divided into three subgroups according to gestational age. PCR was performed on placental tissues to detect the presence of adenovirus genome. Placentas were histologically evaluated for the presence of chorioamnionitis. Chi-square and odds ratios (OR) were used to determine if adenovirus detection is associated with preterm birth and histologic evidence of inflammation. Seventy one preterm and 122 term placentas were studied. Adenoviral genome was detected in 29 (40.8%) of preterm cases and in 25 (20.5%) of term controls (OR =2.6; 95% CI, 1.4-5.1; P=0.002). Adenoviral detection in preterm placentas was significantly higher compared to term especially for the lower gestational age. Placental adenoviral detection followed the seasonal variation of adenoviral infections. Chorioamnionitis was more frequently present in preterm adenovirus-positive placentas compared to preterm adenovirus-negative placentas (75% vs 36%; P=0.03) as well as compared to term adenovirus-positive placentas (75% vs 19%; P=0.003). This study demonstrates that placental adenoviral infection is strongly associated with histologic chorioamnionitis and preterm birth
