Quantification of Ureaplasma urealyticum DNA in the amniotic fluid from patients in PTL and pPROM and its relation to inflammatory cytokine levels.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of the amniotic fluid quantity of Ureaplasma urealyticum DNA on inflammatory response levels in women with preterm labor (PTL) and preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (pPROM).


METHODS
A prospective multi-center follow up study.


METHODS
Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.


METHODS
Eleven U. urealyticum positive samples obtained after transabdominal amniocenteses in 197 women presenting with PTL and pPROM.


METHODS
The U. urealyticum positive samples were analyzed with real-time polymerase chain reaction, using the Lightcycler instrument with primers specific for U. urealyticum 16 S rDNA. The amniotic fluid samples were analyzed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1beta and IL-10 with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.


METHODS
Correlation between U. urealyticum DNA concentrations in the amniotic fluid and inflammatory cytokine levels.


RESULTS
The concentrations of U. urealyticum DNA varied between 0.024 and 934 microg/mL. A significant correlation between U. urealyticum DNA and TNF-alpha level was observed. No correlation with the other cytokines was found. Women with PTLhad higher levels of U. urealyticum DNA and a different cytokine pattern than women with pPROM.


CONCLUSIONS
U. urealyticum in the amniotic fluid induces an inflammatory reaction in a dose dependent manner and the quantity of U. urealyticum DNA is well correlated with the level of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha.
Jacobsson
Bo
B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatal Centre, Goteborg, Sweden.
Aaltonen
Riikka
R
Rantakokko-Jalava
Kaisu
K
Morken
Nils-Halvdan
NH
Alanen
Anna
A
D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005387:Finland; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000032:analysis*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013548:Sweden; D014509:Ureaplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016869:Ureaplasma Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult
D016207:Cytokines; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D018836:Inflammation Mediators