EVALUATION OF PARVO B19, CMV AND HPV VIRUSES IN HUMAN ABORTED MATERIAL USING THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION TECHNIQUE

Objective: To investigate the role of human parvovirus B19 (Parvo B19) , cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human papilloma virus (HPV) viruses in the aetiopathogenesis of spontaneous abortions. Study design: Abortion ma terial from 102 cases of women with spontaneous abortions were analyse d for the presence of Parvo B19, CMV and HPV DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Serological assays were used for the d etection of specific IgM and IgG antibodies against Parvo B19 virus an d CMV in the maternal sera. Results: Parvo B19 virus genome was detect ed in two cases of spontaneous abortion, by PCR amplification, while C MV and HPV genomes were not observed. Serological markers were indicat ive for Parvo B19 virus and CMV infection in ten and four cases, respe ctively. Conclusions: PCR is a useful method for investigating the vir al contribution to the aetiopathogenesis of spontaneous abortions and for detecting the viral genome in the abortion material. This study of 102 cases of spontaneous abortion does not implicate CMV and HPV in t he aetiopathogenesis of spontaneous abortion, although it indicates a possible abortional role for Parvo B19 virus. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scienc e Ireland Ltd.