Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) is not associated with presence of viral genomes in the amniotic fluid

Abstract

Background: The role of viral infections in preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM) is not established. Studies on the presence of viral genomes in the amniotic fluid (AF) collected in pregnancies complicated by PPROM show contradictory outcomes.

Objectives: To investigate AF samples of PPROM pregnancies for the presence of viral genomes.

Study design: AF samples from patients with PPROM were collected during a 4-year (2008-2012) observational study. 174 women were included with selection criteria of singleton pregnancy, PPROM, and maternal age of 18 years and above. PCR was used for detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), parvovirus B19, human adenoviruses (HAdV), enteroviruses (EV) and human parechovirus (HPeV). The selection of these viral targets was based on literature regarding screening of AF for presence of viral genomes.

Results: Only a single sample was positive out of the 174 tested AFs, HCMV DNA was detected.

Conclusions: PPROM is not associated with active viral infections.

Keywords: Amniotic fluid; Pregnancy; Pregnancy outcome; Premature rupture of membranes; Viral genomes.