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Comparison of amniotic fluid matrix metalloproteinase-8 and cathelicidin in the diagnosis of intra-amniotic infection

Journal of Perinatology volume 36, pages 1049–1054 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the association of amniotic fluid (AF) matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and cathelicidin concentrations with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) in pregnancies with preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes or intact membranes.

Study Design:

Amniocentesis was performed in 54 singleton pregnancies between 22+0 and 34+2 gestational weeks with suspected intra-amniotic infection. AF-MMP-8 was analysed by immunoassay and AF-cathelicidin by commercial ELISA. Standard biochemical methods, molecular microbiology and culture techniques were used.

Results:

MIAC was present in 18 (33%) women. The cutoff value for the diagnosis of MIAC was 41.5 ng ml−1 for AF-MMP-8, and 11.6 ng ml−1 for AF-cathelicidin. With these cutoff values AF-MMP-8 had a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 69%, positive predictive value of 62% and negative predictive value of 100% for MIAC. The corresponding values for AF-cathelicidin were 89, 81, 70 and 94%.

Conclusion:

The performance of AF-cathelicidin in the prediction of MIAC is comparable to AF-MMP-8.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge Eivor Svens, MSc and Armi Korvuo, MSc, Medix Biochemica, Espoo, Finland for biochemical analyses. The study was funded by Helsinki University Hospital Research grant (TYH2013340), the Tekes—The Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation grants 3986/31/2013 and 4059/31/2013 and by the SalWe Research Program ‘Get it Done’.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    T Myntti, L Rahkonen, M Tikkanen, J Paavonen & V Stefanovic

  2. Department of Bacteriology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital,

    A Pätäri-Sampo

  3. HUSLAB, Helsinki, Finland

    A Pätäri-Sampo

  4. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases,

    T Sorsa

  5. Helsinki University Hospital,

    T Sorsa

  6. Institute of Dentistry,

    T Sorsa

  7. University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    T Sorsa

  8. Division of Periodontology,

    T Sorsa

  9. Department of Dental Medicine,

    T Sorsa

  10. Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden

    T Sorsa

  11. Medix Biochemica, Espoo, Finland

    J Juhila

  12. Children's Hospital,

    O Helve & S Andersson

  13. University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    O Helve & S Andersson

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Correspondence to T Myntti.

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Myntti, T., Rahkonen, L., Pätäri-Sampo, A. et al. Comparison of amniotic fluid matrix metalloproteinase-8 and cathelicidin in the diagnosis of intra-amniotic infection. J Perinatol 36, 1049–1054 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2016.147

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