Cervical fluid cytokines in pregnant women: Relation to vaginal wet mount findings and polymorphonuclear leukocyte counts.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to measure and compare concentrations of IFN-gamma, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12 in cervical fluids of pregnant women with normal and pathologic microscopic findings of vaginal wet mount.


METHODS
Vaginal samples were obtained from 100 pregnant women (22-32 weeks of gestation) without signs and symptoms of preterm labour (PTL), selected on the basis of the microscopic examination of vaginal wet mounts. Cytokine (IFN-gamma, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12) concentrations were measured in cervical fluids by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The cytokines were found in cervical fluids of the majority of pregnant women, with IFN-gamma and IL-8 detected in all samples. Concentrations of IL-8 were significantly higher in pregnant women with pathologic findings on vaginal wet mount, including elevated polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell counts.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant correlation between microscopic findings and cervical fluid IL-8 concentrations may make vaginal wet mount microscopy a useful tool for identification of patients with cervicovaginal inflammation, which is considered a risk factor for spontaneous preterm delivery.
Nenadić
Dane B
DB
Departments of Gynecology, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia.
Pavlović
Milos D
MD
D012634:Bodily Secretions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology
D016209:Interleukin-8; D007371:Interferon-gamma