An association between cytomegalovirus infection and pre-eclampsia: a case-control study and data synthesis

Objective. Pre-eclampsia shares several similarities with atherosclerotic heart disease. We explored whether, like atherosclerosis, there is a potential link between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and pre-eclampsia. Design. CMV IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in serums from pre-eclampsia (n = 78), normotensive intrauterine growth restriction (nIUGR) (n = 30) and normal pregnancy controls (n = 109). Data were analyzed by chi-squared, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Further, we conducted a comprehensive review of published studies on the relation between CMV infection and pre-eclampsia. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI), according to CMV infection status, were calculated using Review Manager. Main outcome measures. Women with pre-eclampsia had increased CMV IgG seropositivity compared with nIUGR (p < 0.01) and normal pregnancy controls (p < 0.01). In addition, CMV IgG antibody level was higher in pre-eclampsia than normal pregnancy controls (p < 0.001). No difference was observed in CMV IgM or IgA among study groups. Data synthesis revealed that women with CMV infection were at higher risk in the development of pre-eclampsia, compared with women without CMV infection. Combined results for six studies yielded a RR of 1.5 (95% CI 1.2-1.9). Conclusion. CMV infection seems to affect the occurrence of pre-eclampsia. Evaluation of the relation between CMV infection and pre-eclampsia may provide mechanistic insights into pre-eclampsia-related inflammation.