[Lactoferrin in cervical mucus of patients with chorioamnionitis]

The antimicrobial activity of cervical mucus is regarded as a local defense mechanism against ascending infections by the vaginal bacterial flora. In this study, the content of lactoferrin in cervical mucus of patients with chorioamnionitis (CAM) and its correlation with other indicators of infection were determined. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. The lactoferrin content in cervical mucous was higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant women. It was significantly lower in CAM(+) patients than in CAM(-) patients (P < 0.001) in preterm labor and was lower in preterm labor than in full-term control (P < 0.002). Elastase contents in cervical mucus of CAM(+) patients were significantly higher than full-term control levels (P < 0.001), and showed a negative correlation with lactoferrin contents. 2. With regard to other indicators of infection, CRP, ESR, and WBC were higher in CAM(+) patients and fibronectin was detected (> 50 ng/ml) in the cervical mucus of all CAM(+) patients.