Relation between mycoplasma infection and recurrent spontaneous abortion

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a complex condition with multifactorial causes.
• Cervical infections, particularly with Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) and Mycoplasma hominis (MH), are suspected contributors to RSA.
• Understanding the mechanisms linking these infections to pregnancy loss is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between cervical infections with UU and MH and the occurrence of RSA.
• To explore the potential role of these infections in influencing other bacterial infections, immune responses, and cellular processes related to abortion.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 132 patients with RSA and 96 controls.
• Detection of UU, MH, and other bacteria in cervical secretions using bacterial cultures.
• Quantitative PCR for UU and MH gene copy number in chorionic and decidual tissues.
• ELISA for anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) IgM and IgG in secretions.
• Western blot to quantify expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, PGI2, and bax/bcl-2.

Main Results:

• Higher rates of UU, MH, and overall bacterial infections, as well as increased UU and MH gene copy numbers, were observed in the RSA group compared to controls (p<0.05).
• The RSA group exhibited significantly higher positive rates for ACA-IgM and IgG in secretions (p<0.05).
• Elevated expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, PGI2, and bax/bcl-2 were found in the RSA group (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

• Findings support a link between UU and MH cervical infections and recurrent spontaneous abortion.
• These infections may contribute to RSA by promoting other bacterial infections, stimulating ACA expression, inflammatory responses, and thrombogenesis.
• The study suggests that UU and MH infections increase the risk of abortion through mechanisms involving inflammation, immune response, and apoptosis.