Seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 in Saudi women with normal and abnormal early pregnancy: A case control study

Abstract

This work measured the seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus-1 and 2 in Saudi women with normal and abnormal early pregnancy. This is a case-control study; serum samples were collected from 250 women as follows: 100 normal pregnancies, 70 ectopic pregnancies and 80 spontaneous abortions. IgG and IgM antibodies against candidate organisms were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). The prevalence of C. trachomatis IgG, but not IgM, was significantly higher in ectopic pregnancy (18.5%) and abortion (10%) as compared to normal pregnancy (5%) (P < 0.05). The frequency of HSV-1 IgG, but not HSV-2, was also higher in ectopic pregnancy (94.3%) and abortion (87.5%) than in normal pregnancy (64%). However, the rate of detecting both IgM and IgG antibodies together either against HSV-1 or HSV-2 was higher in the ectopic (41.1 and 30%, respectively) and abortion groups (28.7 and 36.2%, respectively) as compared to the control (9 and 16%, respectively). Correspondingly, the frequency of cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG was significantly higher in ectopic pregnancy (91.4%) and abortion (75%) as compared to normal pregnancy (58%). Similar results were also observed for CMV IgM antibodies either alone or with IgG antibodies in the ectopic and abortion groups as compared to control (P < 0.05). Candidate organisms were common by serology in Saudi females with abnormal early pregnancy. Additionally, the high frequency rate in normal pregnancy alarms the potential high risk of congenital infection. Further studies are needed to measure the true prevalence of these sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their associated pregnancy complications in Saudi Arabia. Key words: Chlamydia trachomatis, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, ectopic pregnancy, abortion, Saudi Arabia.