Amniotic fluid intercellular adhesion molecule-1 is a marker for Ureaplasma infection in women with preterm labor.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to determine the amniotic fluid soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 concentrations in women with preterm labor in relation to intra-amniotic infection.


METHODS
Amniotic fluids from 125 women with preterm labor (78 with preterm delivery and 47 with term deliveries) were examined for both soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 concentrations and intra-amniotic infection with Ureaplasma species. A chi2 test, or Fisher's exact test, when appropriate, was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
In the preterm delivery group, 45% (35 of 78) had intra-amniotic infection with Ureaplasma species, compared with 19% (9 of 47) in the term delivery group (P = .004). In women with intra-amniotic infection, 26% (9 of 38) had soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels above 1290 ng/ml. Only 2.3% (1 of 43) in the preterm delivery group without intra-amniotic infection attained this diagnostic level (P = .004). In contrast, there was no significant difference in soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels between those with or without intra-amniotic infection in the term delivery group.


CONCLUSIONS
Amniotic fluid soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 concentrations exceeding 1290 ng/ml can be used as a marker for intra-amniotic infection with Ureaplasma in patients with preterm labor.
Hadar
Amnon
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Ytzhaki
Oranit
O
Shani-Shrem
Noa
N
Horowitz
Sharon
S
Mazor
Moshe
M
Horowitz
Shulamith
S
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000382:microbiology*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014509:Ureaplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016869:Ureaplasma Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1