Association of cervicovaginal infections with increased vaginal fluid phospholipase A2 activity.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine if phospholipase A2 was detectable within vaginal fluid and to correlate its presence with the presence of common lower genital tract infection or microbial conditions.


METHODS
Pregnant women were examined at the first prenatal visit with standard clinical evaluations and microbiologic cultures or tests. Vaginal fluid samples were evaluated for phospholipase A2 activity by means of a standardized enzyme fluorometric assay. Data were stratified to control for coexisting infections.


RESULTS
Phospholipase A2 activity was detected among 29.8% of women and was independently associated with the presence of bacterial vaginosis (p < 0.001), Trichomonas. vaginalis (p < 0.04), and Chlamydia trachomatis (p < 0.02). The percentage of women with phospholipase A2 activity and the level of activity was increased in the presence of more than one infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Elevated reproductive tract phospholipase A2 concentrations among pregnant women may play roles in the pathogenesis of preterm labor and birth. Identification of pregnant women with increased concentrations in vaginal fluid may allow for development of effective intervention strategies to reduce the risk of preterm birth.
McGregor
J A
JA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262.
French
J I
JI
Jones
W
W
Parker
R
R
Patterson
E
E
Draper
D
D
D000818:Animals; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000378:metabolism*; D054467:Phospholipases A2; D011247:Pregnancy; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000201:enzymology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology
D010741:Phospholipases A; D054467:Phospholipases A2