title: The prevalence of positive serum anticardiolipin antibodies and asymptomatic bacteriuria in women with recurrent abortions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The asymptomatic colonization of the urinary tract in pregnant women may result in severe medical and obstetric complications. The aim of this study was to study the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in cases of elevated levels of the anticardiolipin antibody in women who experience spontaneous abortions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 12 women were enrolled in this case control study, including 60 patients with a history of three or more abortions and 60 healthy pregnant women. All participants were screened for ACL (IgG) and with a urine culture.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 19 (31.7%) patients and seven (11.7%) healthy pregnant women were positive for ACL. The mean concentrations were 67.1±27.2 IU/mL in the patients and 17.41±6.12 IU/mL in the healthy controls (p≤0.05). In the 60 patients, only 17 (28.3%) had significant bacteriuria, whereas 5 (8.3%) women in the control group had significant bacteriuria. The statistical analysis revealed a highly significant difference. Of the 19 patients with a positive elevation of ACL, 11 (57.9%) had significant bacteriuria, and eight (42.1%) had non-significant bacteriuria. Six patients had ACL-negative results associated with significant bacteriuria. The statistical analysis revealed a highly significant difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high serum anticardiolipin level was prevalent in women who experienced recurrent abortions associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq.
authors.forename: Zakarea Abdullah
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Yaseen Al-Khayat
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq.
authors.forename: Nabeel Elia
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Waheda
authors.affiliation: Foundation of Technical Education-Medical Technical Institute, Erbil, Iraq.
authors.forename: Nabaz Faisal
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Shaker
keywords: Abortion; Anticardiolipin; Asymptomatic bacteriuria