Serologic markers of autoimmunity in women with recurrent pregnancy loss

Abstract

Problem: Various autoimmunologic mechanisms have been shown to be involved in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This study aimed to evaluate whether women with RPL have elevated serum levels of common autoimmunologic parameters.

Method of study: Serum levels of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) were measured in 114 women with RPL, and 107 healthy controls using a qualitative immunometric enzyme immunoassay, serum levels of IgG class autoantibodies against histone, IgG class autoantibodies against nucleosomes, and IgG class autoantibodies against double-stranded (ds) DNA were measured by quantitative enzyme immunoassays.

Results: No differences were ascertained regarding serum levels of ANAs (P=.9), serum levels of antibodies against histones (P=.1), antibodies against nucleosomes (P=.4) and antibodies against dsDNA (P=.6) between women with RPL and healthy controls. No associations were found between serum levels and clinical characteristics of affected women.

Conclusion: Our study shows that serologic parameters of autoimmunity are not elevated in women with RPL and are not associated with clinical characteristics of affected women.

Keywords: ELISA; antinuclear antibodies; autoimmunologic processes; recurrent miscarriage; serum.