Human papillomavirus infection is associated with decreased levels of GM-CSF in cervico-vaginal fluid of infected women.
BACKGROUND
Although human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, there are very scant data about the influence of this virus on the in vitro fertilization outcome.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the presence of HPV in the cervico-vaginal fluid in relationship to the in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome and to the concentration of selected cytokines, known to affect embryo implantation and gestation: granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF).


METHODS
Cervico-vaginal samples were collected on the day of oocyte pick-up from 82 women. Vaginas were flushed with 50 mL of sterile water and 3 mL of fluid was collected.


RESULTS
Twelve women (15%) were positive for HPV. Interestingly, among HPV(+) women live birth rate was about half of the rate in HPV(-) women, although the differences were not statistically significant due to the low number of cases. Cervico-vaginal samples of a sub-group of 29 (8 HPV(+) and 21 HPV(-)) women were analyzed for GM-CSF and G-CSF by ELISA. GM-CSF but not G-CSF was significantly lower in the cervico-vaginal fluid of HPV(+) than in HPV(-) women.


CONCLUSIONS
Since GM-CSF plays an important role during pregnancy, the reduced levels of GM-CSF in the cervico-vaginal fluid of HPV(+) women might contribute to explain the reduced live birth rate observed in HPV(+) women.
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy; University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
Manola
M
Comar
Lorenzo
L
Monasta
Nunzia
N
Zanotta
Liza
L
Vecchi Brumatti
Giuseppe
G
Ricci
Giorgio
G
Zauli
D000328:Adult; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000032:analysis; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*
D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
Cervico-vaginal fluid; G-CSF; GM-CSF; HPV