AMNIOTIC-FLUID INTERLEUKINS IN SWEDISH AND MOZAMBICAN PREGNANT-WOMEN

The aim of the study was to investigate inflammatory cytokines, interl eukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-6, IL-8 in amniotic fluid, in a cohort of Swedish pregnant women fr om early to late pregnancy and Mozambican late pregnant women with and without signs of histologic chorioamnionitis. Eleven Swedish women we re studied from early pregnancy (week 16-17) to late pregnancy (week 3 7-38). Amniotic fluid was collected via amniocentesis in early pregnan cy and also in late pregnancy during elective Caesarean section. From Mozambican women, amniotic fluid was harvested transmurally through th e uterus wall during elective Caesarean section. Half of the group of 30 women showed histological signs of chorioamnionitis and half of the group did not show such signs. A statistical, significant increase in IL-1ra, IL-6 and IL-8 values from early to late pregnancy was seen in the Swedish pregnant women. Among the Mozambican women, no statistica lly significant increase in the above-mentioned interleukins was obser ved when comparing women with and without histological signs of chorio amnionitis. Term Swedish and Mozambican women did not show differences in cytokine levels. There were no detectable values of IL-1 beta in e ither Swedish or Mozambican women. IL-1ra, IL-6 and IL-8 increased in amniotic fluid from the second to the third trimester in the Swedish c ohort. No correlation was found between histological chorioamnionitis and elevated cytokine levels of amniotic fluid in term pregnant women not in labour. An equally good cytokine response was found among Swedi sh and Mozambican third-trimester non-labouring women.