Recurrent reproductive wastage and immunologic factors.
OBJECTIVE
The causes of recurrent reproductive wastage are varied and complex. The present study was designed to focus on the role of immunologic factors in cases where other causes were not evident.


METHODS
Over 20 years, more than 1500 couples were evaluated in our clinic because of recurrent spontaneous abortion. Women were tested for anti-phospholipid antibodies and plasma contact proteins of the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation after endocrine, organic, infectious and genetic etiologies of miscarriages were excluded.


RESULTS
Anti-phosphatidylethanolamine antibodies, anti-annexin antibodies, and factor XII deficiency were more common factors in recurrent spontaneous abortion patients than were anti-cardiolipin antibodies in terms of induction of recurrent pregnancy losses. Paternal leukocyte immunotherapy of patients without such abnormalities was associated with a significantly improved success rate.


CONCLUSIONS
Recurrent reproductive wastage can be minimized by individualized therapy based on comprehensive evaluation of immunologic factors, including several anti-phospholipid antibodies.
Makino
Tsunehisa
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Growth and Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Tokai University, Isehara City, Kanagawa, Japan. makino@is.icc.utokai.ac.jp
D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007621:Karyotyping; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000473:pathology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D010714:Phosphatidylethanolamines