Is chlamydia pneumoniae infection a major risk factor for preeclampsia?

ABSTRACT

To study whether preeclampsia is related to seroprevalence of immunoglobulins [Ig]G and M antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae, which is believed to be involved in the endothelial injury that marks atherosclerosis. Cross-sectional comparisons were made for 50 women with preeclampsia and 30 women with normal pregnancies at term. In these two groups, antibodies titers for IgG and IgM seroprevalence to C pneumoniae were compared. A titer of at least 116 was considered positive for IgG, where as a titer of at least 110 was considered positive for IgM. Odds ratios were the main measure used for the comparison. Immunoglobulin G antibodies to C pneumoniae at a titer of at least 116 were more common in women with preeclampsia [34 of 50, 68%] than in women with normal pregnancies [13 of 30, 43.3%], which is statistically significant [P<0.05]; [odds ratio 3.1; 95% confidence interval 1.2, 7.9]. This suggested a specific association between preeclampsia and Chlamydia pneumoniae that has been associated with atherosclerosis. However, positive titers for C pneumoniae IgM were not significantly more likely among preeclamptic women [3 preeclamptic women compared to no women with normal pregnancy]. At a cut off of 116, the risk of seropositivity to C pneumoniae was 3.1 [95% confidence interval 1.2, 7.9]. Odds ratios for antibody titers of 116 or 164, and at least 1128 were 4.6, 3.1, and 2.6, respectively. This indicates a lack of higher risk of preeclampsia with higher titers of IgG antibodies to C pneumoniae. women with preeclampsia had an increased IgG seroprevalence to C pneumoniae. These preliminary data suggest a specific association between infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae and preeclampsia