DETECTION OF VIRAL DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC-ACID IN THE AMNIOTIC-FLUID OF LOW-RISK PREGNANCIES BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether viral de oxyribonucleic acid is detectable in the amniotic fluid of pregnancies at low risk for fetal viral infection. STUDY DESIGN: Amniotic fluid s amples were prospectively collected from 277 patients. Selected primer pairs amplified deoxyribonucleic acid sequences unique to adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, and parvovirus. Amplified deox yribonucleic acid was detected by gel electrophoresis. Sensitivity of the adenovirus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes virus primers were determi ned by serial dilution of 10(3) PFU/ml controls. RESULTS: Of the 277 e xtracted samples, 243 had detectable deoxyribonucleic acid, None of th ese samples had detectable viral deoxyribonucleic acid by polymerase c hain reaction. The sensitivity of the adenovirus primer pairs was 10(- 3) PFU/ml, cytomegalovirus 10(-2) PFU/ml, and herpes simplex virus 10( -1) PFU/ml.CONCLUSION: This study did not detect viral deoxyribonuclei c acid in a low-risk population, supporting the clinical significance of detecting viral deoxyribonucleic acid in pregnancies at risk for in fection.