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Uterine Leiomyoma and Reproductive Tract Infections Detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction
Geita Saadatnia1, Saadatnia Saremi2, Behrouz Salehian3
1Dept. of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran.
Iranian Journal of Pathology
|September 19, 2019
Summary
Cytomegalovirus infection is linked to increased uterine leiomyoma, while Chlamydia trachomatis shows an inverse association. This study used PCR to investigate reproductive tract infections and their role in uterine fibroid development.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Reproductive tract infections have long been suspected as a cause of uterine leiomyoma.
- No previous epidemiologic study has utilized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to investigate this association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare uterine tissues from leiomyoma cases and controls using PCR.
- To investigate the association between uterine leiomyoma and specific reproductive tract infections detected by PCR.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 92 leiomyoma tissues and 94 control myometrial tissues.
- PCR screening for cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia trachomatis, herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2), and human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Multivariable analysis using logistic and generalized linear regression models.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of infections: Cytomegalovirus (32.6% in cases vs. 7.4% in controls), C. trachomatis (23.9% vs. 37.2%), HSV-1,2 (25.0% vs. 13.8%), HPV 16/18 (13.0% vs. 10.5%).
- Leiomyoma was significantly associated with cytomegalovirus (OR 6.10) and inversely associated with C. trachomatis (OR 0.47).
- Cytomegalovirus correlated with higher leiomyoma count (+0.65), while C. trachomatis correlated with lower count (-0.71).
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to apply PCR to uterine leiomyoma and control tissues.
- Cytomegalovirus is associated with the presence, number, and volume of uterine leiomyoma.
- C. trachomatis is inversely associated with leiomyoma, particularly when cytomegalovirus is absent, suggesting a complex interplay in fibroid development.
