Cytomegalovirus and the expression of immunological markers in reproductive failure

• Published in: Middle East Fertility Society journal Vol. 11; no. 2
• Main Author: Wafaa M. Aboul Enien, Nashwa A. Abou Khedr,Amal Z. Azzam, Nagwa G. Rizk,Tarek A. Karkour
• Format: Journal Article
• Published: Egypt Middle East Fertility Society 03.11.2006
• Subjects: Cytomegalovirus; intercellular adhesion molecule-1; interleukin-10; reproductive failure; tumor necrosis factor-α
• ISSN: 1110-5690

Objective: To assess the relation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and serum interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) with reproductive failure. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University. Subjects: Twenty patients with unexplained infertility, twenty recurrent aborters and twenty fertile controls. Interventions: Serum concentrations of IL-10, TNF-α, sICAM-1 and anti-CMV IgG and IgM antibodies were measured by ELISA. Main outcome measure: Reproductive failure. Results: Levels of serum IL-10 and sICAM-1 were significantly lower in unexplained infertility and recurrent miscarriage patients compared to controls (P < 0.00001, P < 0.0001 respectively). In contrast, levels of TNF-α were significantly higher in patient groups compared to controls (P < 0.00001). There were no significant correlations between the three biochemical parameters in each of the three studied groups. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the incidence of IgG and IgM anti-CMV antibodies between groups. Conclusions: Serum IL-10, TNF-α and sICAM-1 are immunomodulatory factors which may play an essential role in the pathophysiology of reproductive failure. However, CMV infection does not seem to be a major abortion related factor.