Detection of intra-amniotic infection in a rabbit model by proteomics-based amniotic fluid analysis.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to identify intra-amniotic infection caused by several different organisms in a rabbit model by using proteomics.


METHODS
Twenty infected and 18 uninfected amniotic fluid samples were subjected to proteomic analysis by surface-enhanced laser desorption ionization (SELDI-TOF, Ciphergen Biosystems, Fremont, Calif), 1- and 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS).


RESULTS
Detailed SELDI-TOF spectra revealed a constitutive 4.0 kd peak in all animals. Infected samples also displayed a signature double peak at 3.6 kd. A SELDI-TOF signature profile for intra-amniotic infection predicted positive amniotic fluid and/or fetal cultures with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 83%. Similar proteomic profiles were obtained regardless of the infecting organism. The 3.6 kd peak appeared to contain rabbit calgranulin C and rabbit calcyclin, members of the S100 family of calcium binding proteins.


CONCLUSIONS
Amniotic fluid proteomic analysis was able to detect intra-amniotic infection in this experimental rabbit model. S100 proteins may be involved in the host inflammatory response to intra-amniotic infection.
Klein
Laura L
LL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO, USA.
Freitag
Breton C
BC
Gibbs
Ronald S
RS
Reddy
Ashok P
AP
Nagalla
Srinavasa R
SR
Gravett
Michael G
MG
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D040901:Proteomics; D011817:Rabbits
D001426:Bacterial Proteins