title: Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasma gondii and Rubella Vertical Transmission Rates According to Mid-trimester Amniocentesis: A Retrospective Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine vertical transmission rates of Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasma Gondii and Rubella infections according to amniotic fluid PCR analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of mid-trimester amniocenteses performed in in pregnancies with diagnosed maternal infection by Cytomegavirus (CMV), Rubella or Toxoplasma gondii during 1994-2008 was performed. Vertical transmission rates were observed according to the presence of the infectious agent's DNA in the amniotic fluid. A univariate regression model was also performed to investigate possible correlations between transmission and epidemiological parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 7033 amniocenteses were performed during study's period, of which 166 (2.4%) with the indication of maternal infection by CMV, Rubella or Toxoplasma. Mean maternal age was 27.4 ± 2.5 years and the mean gestational age at amniocentesis was 18.7 ± 2.5 weeks. Vertical transmission was observed in 21 cases (12.7%). Transmission rate was 17.3% in cases with infection from CMV, 9.5% from Toxoplasma gondii and 7.8% from Rubella (P = .05). Maternal age was the only parameter being significantly associated with increased risk for vertical transmission (P = .04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our results, overall vertical transmission rate marginally exceeds 10%. CMV infection is characterized by relatively higher transplacental transmission rate, while increased maternal age appears to be associated with a higher risk for vertical transmission.
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; Iakentro Advanced Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Chrysoula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Margioula-Siarkou
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; Iakentro Advanced Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kalogiannidis
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; Iakentro Advanced Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Stamatios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petousis
authors.affiliation: Iakentro Advanced Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prapa
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; Iakentro Advanced Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Themistoklis
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dagklis
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mamopoulos
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece ; Iakentro Advanced Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prapas
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rousso
keywords: Amniocentesis; cytomegalovirus; infection; rubella; toxoplasma; vertical transmission