Open AccessIs preeclampsia an infectious disease?
Author(s) -
Trogstad Lill I. S.,
Eskild Anne,
Bruu AnneLise,
Jeansson Stig,
Jenum Pål A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0412.2001.801112.x
Subject(s) - preeclampsia , medicine , pregnancy , obstetrics , herpes simplex virus , etiology , population , cytomegalovirus , risk factor , disease , immunology , virus , viral disease , herpesviridae , environmental health , biology , genetics
Background. Studies have suggested a strong paternal factor in the etiology of preeclampsia. If preeclampsia is caused by an infectious agent transmitted by the woman’s partner, seronegative women who may experience primary infection in pregnancy should be at increased risk of preeclampsia as compared to previously infected women. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of being seronegative for some viruses transmitted by close contact on the risk of developing preeclampsia. Methods. Nine hundred and seventy‐eight women were randomly drawn from a basic study population of 35,940 pregnant women in Norway. A serum sample drawn at the first antenatal visit was analyzed for specific IgG antibodies against herpes simplex virus type‐2, cytomegalovirus and Epstein‐Barr virus. For comparison, antibody status against Toxoplasma gondii was also assessed. Information on preeclampsia in pregnancy was obtained through linkage to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Results. Thirty‐three (3%) women developed preeclampsia. The risk of developing preeclampsia seemed to be increased for women who were seronegative for the viruses studied. Seronegativity for Toxoplasma gondii did not show such a pattern. Interpretation. Women who are seronegative for antibodies against viral agents transmitted through close contact seem more likely to develop preeclampsia. This finding indicates that women who are seronegative to such agents may acquire primary infection in pregnancy, and subsequently be at increased risk of preeclampsia. This hypothesis could represent a new approach to the causes of preeclampsia, and encourage search for yet unidentified microbes as a possible causal factor.