ABSTRACT

Brucella infection in animals is associated with high incidence of abortion but in human, there are controversies about role of brucellosis in spontaneous abortion. Brucellosis is endemic in Iran. Because many causes of abortion are undiagnosed, this study has been designed for the evaluation of a possible association between the previous maternal brucella infection and spontaneous abortion.

In this study 81 women with spontaneous abortion were considered as case and 105 women with normal pregnancy outcome as a control group. IgG and IgM antibody was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in both groups. IgG or IgM equal or greater than ten considered positive.

Both groups were matched based on age, number of previous pregnancies and abortion, gestational age and consumption of unpasteurized cheese. 6.2% of cases and 13.6% of control group had positive IgG titer (IgG ≥ 10). In both groups IgM was negative (IgM<10). There was no significant relationship between brucella antibody and spontaneous abortion. There was a significant relationship between raw milk consumption and spontaneous abortion (OR=6.31).

This study showed that the brucella seropositivity is no more common in women with spontaneous abortion than in normal pregnant.

Keywords: Brucellosis, spontaneous abortion, serology, pregnancy