Interleukin-6 andMycoplasma hominisas markers of preterm birth and related brain damage: Our experience

Giulia Massaroa, Giuseppina Scaravillia, Serena Simeone*b, Simona Capuanoa, Edoardo Pastorec, Amelia Forted, Pasquale Parisia, Alessandra Ferraioloa, Angelo Costanzoe & Carlo Balbiaa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second University of Naples, Caserta, Italyb Freelance Doctorc Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Santa Rita’ Clinic, Avellino, Italyd DMED Center, Naples, Italye U.O.C. Clinical Pathology, AORN ‘Sant'Anna e S. Sebastiano’, Caserta, ItalyCorrespondence: Serena Simeone, MD, Via Togliatti 2, 81055 S. Maria C.V., Caserta, Italy. Tel: +39-349-2850946. E-mail: serena_simeone@yahoo.itObjective. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a high concentration of interleukin-6 (IL)-6 in the amniotic fluid is associated to a higher risk of preterm delivery, premature rupture of the membranes (PROM), and periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) in preterm infants; we have further investigated whether the levels of IL-6 are related to the presence of vaginal infection by mycoplasms.Methods. One hundred eight patients were screened by vaginal swab, sonography, amniocentesis, and dosage of IL-6 in the amniotic fluid during the second trimester of pregnancy.Results. High levels of IL-6 and vaginal mycoplasms are related to preterm birth and PROM. We had no case of PLV.Conclusion. In order to achieve a good therapeutic purpose and get to an efficient strategy, the patients have to be elected by a number of criteria, which may include anamnesis elements, vaginal swab, then cytokines dosage in selected women, thus excluding the low-risk cases. Further studies are expected in order to plan guidelines including the dosage of ILs and principally of IL-6 as a main marker of preterm birth, above all during the second trimester.