Background: Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) have been found in human blood cells, cervical biopsies, and epithelial cell brushings, endometrium, and abortion material, which suggest their possible roles in the induction of miscarriage.
Objective: In this case control study, the presence of AAV DNA in placental tissue of spontaneous and therapeutic abortions was compared.
Method: Placenta samples were evaluated for AAV DNA by hemi-nested PCR in miscarriages occurring in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy from therapeutic and spontaneous abortions.
Results: Eighty-one therapeutic abortions (control group) and 83 spontaneous abortions (case group) were evaluated. Sixty-two (38.2%) of 164 abortions were AAV positive, including 35 (21.6%) spontaneous abortions and 27 (16.6%) therapeutic abortions.
Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between the presence of the AAV genome in spontaneous and therapeutic abortions. This observation was consistent with other studies in this area.
Keywords: AAV; spontaneous abortion; therapeutic abortion.