Relevance of Parvovirus B19, Herpes Simplex Virus 2, and Cytomegalovirus Virologic Markers in Maternal Serum for Diagnosis of Unexplained Recurrent Abortions

Abstract

The impact of viral infections during pregnancy on adverse pregnancy outcomes is not understood fully. To assess the frequency of parvovirus B19, herpes simplex 2, and cytomegalovirus infections in relation to late abortions, in sera from Egyptian pregnant women to establish basic knowledge for future pregnancy care. In addition, to study the diagnostic value of specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) against those viruses compared with their genomes detection by polymerase chain reaction in maternal serum as a noninvasive method of laboratory diagnosis. Patients were recruited at the Women's Clinic, Mansoura University. One group of patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) and a second group of pregnant women without a history of RSA were evaluated including demographic, medical, and clinical data. Virologic markers were evaluated for specific IgM and for viral DNA to cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus 2, and parvovirus B19. There was a statistically significant difference between the RSA group and the pregnant women without RSA group in frequency of parvovirus IgM (84% and 16.7%, respectively) (P < .001) and herpes simplex IgM (40% for RSA) (P = .001). Parvovirus B19 viremia was positive in 48% RSA, herpes simplex virus 2 was positive in 32% RSA, and cytomegalovirus was positive in 12% RSA patients. For RSA patients with parvovirus viremia, the mean +/- SD of IgM value was 78.5 +/- 30.12 IU/mL, and for RSA patients with negative viremia it was 30.02 +/- 17.64 IU/mL with statistically significant difference between both levels (P < .001). From this study, we conclude that viral infections with parvovirus B19 and herpes simplex 2 were frequently associated with recurrent abortions, and careful investigation for this condition must include evaluating these patients for the previously mentioned viruses. Serologic study by specific IgM for parvovirus and herpes simplex seem to be reliable as screening tests for high-risk pregnancy.