Journal article

Publication year: 1994

Pages: 95-109

Journal: Journal of Reproductive Immunology

Volume number: 27

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0165-0378

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0378(94)90026-4

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
In the context of a controlled multicenter study on intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment of patients with a history of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA), a number of controversial immunological parameters were evaluated prior to and during pregnancy with respect to their diagnostic and/or prognostic significance. A total of 390 serum samples from 52 patients were investigated. Sharing of 2 or more HLA (A,B,DR,DQ) antigens was significantly more frequent in RSA couples than in controls. The rate of cytotoxic or Fc-receptor (FcR)-blocking antibodies was not significantly lower in RSA patients than in individuals with normal pregnancies. Both tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)levels and IgG anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG-ACA) were significantly increased in the patient group. While the occurrence of HLA sharing, cytotoxic/FcR-blocking antibodies and IgG-ACA did not correlate with the outcome of pregnancy, TNF-alpha levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with subsequent miscarriage than in those with successful pregnancy. IgG-ACA, if present, significantly decreased during the course of successful pregnancy but remained high in patients with subsequent abortion. It is concluded that the diagnostic and/or prognostic value of HLA sharing and cytotoxic/FcR-blocking antibodies has been overestimated while TNF-alpha and ACA levels are potential diagnostic markers and/or exhibit prognostic significance in subgroups of RSA patients.

Harvard Citation style: MUELLERECKHARDT, G., MALLMANN, P., NEPPERT, J., MELK, A., HEINE, O., LATTERMANN, A., et al. (1994) IMMUNOGENETIC AND SEROLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN NONPREGNANT AND IN PREGNANT-WOMEN WITH A HISTORY OF RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS-ABORTIONS, Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 27(2), pp. 95-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0378(94)90026-4

APA Citation style: MUELLERECKHARDT, G., MALLMANN, P., NEPPERT, J., MELK, A., HEINE, O., LATTERMANN, A., PFEIFFER, R., ZINGSEM, J., DOMKE, N., ECKSTEIN, R., CHRONIDES, A., DIEKAMP, U., BLASCZYK, R., GROSSEWILDE, H., SALEM, C., FISCHER, W., KOHLER, S., HOLZBERGER, G., WIEGRATZ, I., ...TAUBERT, H. (1994). IMMUNOGENETIC AND SEROLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS IN NONPREGNANT AND IN PREGNANT-WOMEN WITH A HISTORY OF RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS-ABORTIONS. Journal of Reproductive Immunology. 27(2), 95-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0378(94)90026-4