Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Second trimester amniotic fluid cytokine concentrations, Ureaplasmasp. colonisation status and sexual activity as predictors of preterm birth in Chinese and Australian women

Authors: Matthew S Payne, Zhenhua Feng, Shaofu Li, Dorota A Doherty, Biyun Xu, Jie Li, Lenan Liu, Jeffrey A Keelan, Yi Hua Zhou, Jan E Dickinson, Yali Hu, John P Newnham

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

This study tested if second trimester amniotic fluid cytokine levels, Ureaplasma sp. colonisation and sexual activity predict preterm birth and explain the differential preterm birth rates in Chinese compared to Australian women.

Methods

Amniotic fluid was collected by amniocentesis (Chinese 480, Australian 492). Cytokines were measured by multiplex assay and Ureaplasma sp. DNA was detected by PCR analysis. Lifestyle factors, including history of smoking and sexual activity during pregnancy, were obtained through completion of questionnaires upon recruitment to the study.

Results

Inflammatory cytokine concentrations were poorly predictive of preterm birth. Ureaplasma sp. was detected in two of the Chinese pregnancies and none from Australia. Sexual activity was less frequent in Chinese, and was not associated with preterm birth or amniotic fluid findings in either population.

Discussion

Second trimester amniocentesis for measurement of inflammatory markers and Ureaplasma sp. DNA was not indicative of risk of preterm birth, at least in these populations. The lower rate of preterm birth in China was not explained by differences in amniotic fluid inflammatory markers, Ureaplasma sp. colonisation, or sexual activity.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
Goldenberg RL, Culhane JF, Iams JD, Romero R: Epidemiology and causes of preterm birth. Lancet. 2008, 371 (9606): 75-84.CrossRefPubMed
2.
Beck S, Wojdyla D, Say L, Betran AP, Merialdi M, Requejo JH, Rubens C, Menon R, Van Look PF: The worldwide incidence of preterm birth: a systematic review of maternal mortality and morbidity. Bull World Health Organ. 2010, 88 (1): 31-38.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Tracy SK, Tracy MB, Dean J, Laws P, Sullivan E: Spontaneous preterm birth of liveborn infants in women at low risk in Australia over 10 years: a population-based study. BJOG. 2007, 114 (6): 731-735.CrossRefPubMed
4.
Newnham JP, Sahota DS, Zhang CY, Xu B, Zheng M, Doherty DA, Li S, Chung T, Hu Y: Preterm birth rates in Chinese women in China, Hong Kong and Australia - the price of Westernisation. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2011, 51 (5): 426-431.CrossRefPubMed
5.
Zhang YP, Liu XH, Gao SH, Wang JM, Gu YS, Zhang JY, Zhou X, Li QX: Risk factors for preterm birth in five Maternal and Child Health hospitals in Beijing. PLoS One. 2012, 7 (12): e52780-CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
6.
Sayle AE, Savitz DA, Thorp JM, Hertz-Picciotto I, Wilcox AJ: Sexual activity during late pregnancy and risk of preterm delivery. Obstet Gynecol. 2001, 97 (2): 283-289.PubMed
7.
Goldenberg RL, Hauth JC, Andrews WW: Intrauterine infection and preterm delivery. N Engl J Med. 2000, 342 (20): 1500-1507.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Rours GI, Duijts L, Moll HA, Arends LR, de Groot R, Jaddoe VW, Hofman A, Steegers EA, Mackenbach JP, Ott A, Willemse HF, van der Zwaan EA, Verkooijen RP, Verbrugh HA: Chlamydia trachomatis infection during pregnancy associated with preterm delivery: a population-based prospective cohort study. Eur J Epidemiol. 2011, 26 (6): 493-502.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
9.
Donders GG, Van Calsteren C, Bellen G, Reybrouck R, Van den Bosch T, Riphagen I, Van Lierde S: Association between abnormal vaginal flora and cervical length as risk factors for preterm birth. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2010
10.
Grigsby PL, Novy MJ, Sadowsky DW, Morgan TK, Long M, Acosta E, Duffy LB, Waites KB: Maternal azithromycin therapy for Ureaplasma intraamniotic infection delays preterm delivery and reduces fetal lung injury in a primate model. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2012, 207 (6): 475-e471-475 e414CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
11.
Novy MJ, Duffy L, Axthelm MK, Sadowsky DW, Witkin SS, Gravett MG, Cassell GH, Waites KB: Ureaplasma parvum or Mycoplasma hominis as sole pathogens cause chorioamnionitis, preterm delivery, and fetal pneumonia in rhesus macaques. Reprod Sci. 2009, 16 (1): 56-70.CrossRefPubMed
12.
13.
Waites KB, Schelonka RL, Xiao L, Grigsby PL, Novy MJ: Congenital and opportunistic infections: Ureaplasma species and Mycoplasma hominis. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2009, 14 (4): 190-199.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Yoon BH, Romero R, Kim M, Kim EC, Kim T, Park JS, Jun JK: Clinical implications of detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum in the amniotic cavity with the polymerase chain reaction. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2000, 183 (5): 1130-1137.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Yoon BH, Chang JW, Romero R: Isolation of Ureaplasma urealyticum from the amniotic cavity and adverse outcome in preterm labor. Obstet Gynecol. 1998, 92 (1): 77-82.CrossRefPubMed
16.
Oh KJ, Lee SE, Jung H, Kim G, Romero R, Yoon BH: Detection of ureaplasmas by the polymerase chain reaction in the amniotic fluid of patients with cervical insufficiency. J Perinat Med. 2010, 38 (3): 261-268.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
17.
Capoccia R, Greub G, Baud D: Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2013, 26 (3): 231-240.CrossRefPubMed
18.
Kim A, Lee ES, Shin JC, Kim HY: Identification of biomarkers for preterm delivery in mid-trimester amniotic fluid. Placenta. 2013, 34 (10): 873-878.CrossRefPubMed
19.
Gervasi MT, Romero R, Bracalente G, Erez O, Dong Z, Hassan SS, Yeo L, Yoon BH, Chaiworapongsa T: Midtrimester amniotic fluid concentrations of interleukin-6 and interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10: evidence for heterogeneity of intra-amniotic inflammation and associations with spontaneous early (<32 weeks) and late (>32 weeks) preterm delivery. J Perinat Med. 2012, 40 (4): 329-343.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
20.
Weissenbacher T, Laubender RP, Witkin SS, Gingelmaier A, Schiessl B, Kainer F, Friese K, Jeschke U, Dian D, Karl K: Diagnostic biomarkers of pro-inflammatory immune-mediated preterm birth. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2013, 287 (4): 673-685.CrossRefPubMed
21.
Peltier MR, Drobek CO, Bhat G, Saade G, Fortunato SJ, Menon R: Amniotic fluid and maternal race influence responsiveness of fetal membranes to bacteria. J Reprod Immunol. 2012, 96 (1–2): 68-78.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
22.
Suzuki Y, Yamamoto T, Kojima K, Tanemura M, Tateyama H, Suzumori K: Evaluation levels of cytokines in amniotic fluid of women with intrauterine infection in the early second trimester. Fetal Diagn Ther. 2006, 21 (1): 45-50.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Baud O, Emilie D, Pelletier E, Lacaze-Masmonteil T, Zupan V, Fernandez H, Dehan M, Frydman R, Ville Y: Amniotic fluid concentrations of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha in chorioamnionitis before 32 weeks of gestation: histological associations and neonatal outcome. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1999, 106 (1): 72-77.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Figueroa R, Garry D, Elimian A, Patel K, Sehgal PB, Tejani N: Evaluation of amniotic fluid cytokines in preterm labor and intact membranes. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2005, 18 (4): 241-247.CrossRefPubMed
25.
La Sala GB, Ardizzoni A, Capodanno F, Manca L, Baschieri MC, Soncini E, Peppoloni S, Blasi E: Protein microarrays on midtrimester amniotic fluids: a novel approach for the diagnosis of early intrauterine inflammation related to preterm delivery. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2012, 25 (4): 1029-1040.PubMed
26.
Keeler SM, Kiefer DG, Rust OA, Vintzileos A, Atlas RO, Bornstein E, Hanna N: Comprehensive amniotic fluid cytokine profile evaluation in women with a short cervix: which cytokine(s) correlates best with outcome?. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009, 201 (3): 276-e271-276CrossRefPubMed
27.
Holst RM, Hagberg H, Wennerholm UB, Skogstrand K, Thorsen P, Jacobsson B: Prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery in women with preterm labor: analysis of multiple proteins in amniotic and cervical fluids. Obstet Gynecol. 2009, 114 (2 Pt 1): 268-277.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Stellrecht KA, Woron AM, Mishrik NG, Venezia RA: Comparison of multiplex PCR assay with culture for detection of genital mycoplasmas. J Clin Microbiol. 2004, 42 (4): 1528-1533.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
29.
Yi J, Yoon BH, Kim EC: Detection and biovar discrimination of Ureaplasma urealyticum by real-time PCR. Mol Cell Probes. 2005, 19 (4): 255-260.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Velez DR, Menon R, Thorsen P, Jiang L, Simhan H, Morgan N, Fortunato SJ, Williams SM: Ethnic differences in interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL6 receptor genes in spontaneous preterm birth and effects on amniotic fluid protein levels. Ann Hum Genet. 2007, 71 (Pt 5): 586-600.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Menon R, Camargo MC, Thorsen P, Lombardi SJ, Fortunato SJ: Amniotic fluid interleukin-6 increase is an indicator of spontaneous preterm birth in white but not black Americans. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008, 198 (1): 77-e71-77CrossRefPubMed
32.
Menon R, Williams SM, Fortunato SJ: Amniotic fluid interleukin-1beta and interleukin-8 concentrations: racial disparity in preterm birth. Reprod Sci. 2007, 14 (3): 253-259.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Menon R, Fortunato SJ, Edwards DR, Williams SM: Association of genetic variants, ethnicity and preterm birth with amniotic fluid cytokine concentrations. Ann Hum Genet. 2010, 74 (2): 165-183.CrossRefPubMed
34.
Knox CL, Cave DG, Farrell DJ, Eastment HT, Timms P: The role of Ureaplasma urealyticum in adverse pregnancy outcome. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1997, 37 (1): 45-51.CrossRefPubMed
35.
Jacobsson B, Mattsby-Baltzer I, Andersch B, Bokstrom H, Holst RM, Nikolaitchouk N, Wennerholm UB, Hagberg H: Microbial invasion and cytokine response in amniotic fluid in a Swedish population of women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2003, 82 (5): 423-431.CrossRefPubMed
36.
Gerber S, Vial Y, Hohlfeld P, Witkin SS: Detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum in second-trimester amniotic fluid by polymerase chain reaction correlates with subsequent preterm labor and delivery. J Infect Dis. 2003, 187 (3): 518-521.CrossRefPubMed
37.
Marconi C, de Andrade Ramos BR, Peracoli JC, Donders GG, da Silva MG: Amniotic fluid interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6, but not interleukin-8 correlate with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in preterm labor. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2011, 65 (6): 549-556.CrossRefPubMed
38.
Kong F, Zhu X, Wang W, Zhou X, Gordon S, Gilbert GL: Comparative analysis and serovar-specific identification of multiple-banded antigen genes of Ureaplasma urealyticum biovar 1. J Clin Microbiol. 1999, 37 (3): 538-543.PubMedPubMedCentral
39.
Enzensberger C, Pulvermacher C, Degenhardt J, Kawacki A, Germer U, Gembruch U, Krapp M, Weichert J, Axt-Fliedner R: Fetal loss rate and associated risk factors after amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling and fetal blood sampling. Ultraschall in der Medizin (Stuttgart, Germany: 1980). 2012, 33 (7): E75-E79.CrossRef
40.
Fantuzzi G, Aggazzotti G, Righi E, Facchinetti F, Bertucci E, Kanitz S, Barbone F, Sansebastiano G, Battaglia MA, Leoni V, Fabiani L, Triassi M, Sciacca S: Preterm delivery and exposure to active and passive smoking during pregnancy: a case–control study from Italy. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2007, 21 (3): 194-200.CrossRefPubMed
41.
Kyrklund-Blomberg NB, Granath F, Cnattingius S: Maternal smoking and causes of very preterm birth. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005, 84 (6): 572-577.CrossRefPubMed
42.
Sazak S, Kayiran SM, Paksoy Y: Umbilical cord serum erythropoietin levels and maternal smoking in pregnancy. Scientific World J. 2012, 2012: 420763-CrossRef
43.
Etem Piskin I, Nur Karavar H, Arasli M, Ermis B: Effect of maternal smoking on colostrum and breast milk cytokines. Eur Cytokine Netw. 2012, 23 (4): 187-190.PubMed
44.
Bamberg C, Fotopoulou C, Thiem D, Roehr CC, Dudenhausen JW, Kalache KD: Correlation of midtrimester amniotic fluid cytokine concentrations with adverse pregnancy outcome in terms of spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and preeclampsia. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2012, 25 (6): 812-817.CrossRefPubMed
45.
Yost NP, Owen J, Berghella V, Thom E, Swain M, Dildy GA, Miodovnik M, Langer O, Sibai B: Effect of coitus on recurrent preterm birth. Obstet Gynecol. 2006, 107 (4): 793-797.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Second trimester amniotic fluid cytokine concentrations, Ureaplasmasp. colonisation status and sexual activity as predictors of preterm birth in Chinese and Australian women
Authors
Matthew S Payne
Zhenhua Feng
Shaofu Li
Dorota A Doherty
Biyun Xu
Jie Li
Lenan Liu
Jeffrey A Keelan
Yi Hua Zhou
Jan E Dickinson
Yali Hu
John P Newnham
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-14-340

Other articles of this Issue 1/2014

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2014 Go to the issue

Research article

Analyzing support of postnatal transition in term infants after c-section

Research article

Obstetric analgesia for vaginal birth in contemporary obstetrics: a survey of the practice of obstetricians in Nigeria

Research article

Challenges in delivery of skilled maternal care – experiences of community midwives in Pakistan

Research article

Linkage to HIV care, postpartum depression, and HIV-related stigma in newly diagnosed pregnant women living with HIV in Kenya: a longitudinal observational study

Case report

Recurrent secondary postpartum hemorrhages due to placental site vessel subinvolution and local uterine tissue coagulopathy

Research article

Readiness of district and regional hospitals in Burkina Faso to provide caesarean section and blood transfusion services: a cross-sectional study