title: Detection of intrauterine viral infection using the polymerase chain reaction.
abstract: Intrauterine viral infection commonly presents as nonimmune hydrops fetalis or intrauterine growth restriction. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and parvovirus are commonly recognized causes of fetal infection using serology and cultures. We used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to evaluate the frequency of fetal viral infection and the associated clinical course and outcome. Specimens (amniotic fluid, fetal blood, pleural fluid, tissue) from 303 abnormal pregnancies at risk for viral infection and 154 controls were analyzed using primers for CMV, herpes simplex virus, parvovirus B19, adenovirus, enterovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Viral genome was detected in 144/371 samples (39%) or 124/303 patients (41%), with adenovirus (n = 74 patients; 24%), CMV (n = 30 patients; 10%), and enterovirus (n = 22 patients; 7%) most common. Only 4/154 (2.6%), unaffected control patients' samples were PCR positive. We conclude that diagnosis of fetal viral infection by PCR is common in abnormal pregnancies. Adenovirus and enterovirus may cause fetal infection that have been previously unrecognized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: I B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Van den Veyver
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bowles
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Weiner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yankowitz
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Moise
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Towbin
mesh_terms: D017931:DNA Primers; D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D012327:RNA Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers