Amniotic fluid cathepsin-G in pregnancies complicated by the preterm prelabor rupture of membranes

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the amniotic fluid cathepsin-G concentrations in women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) based on the presence of the microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and/or intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI).

Methods: A total of 154 women with singleton pregnancies complicated by PPROM were included in this study. Amniotic fluid samples were obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis. Amniotic fluid cathepsin-G concentrations were assessed by ELISA. MIAC was determined using a non-cultivation approach. IAI was defined as an amniotic fluid bedside interleukin-6 concentration ≥ 745 pg/mL.

Results: Women with MIAC had higher amniotic fluid cathepsin-G concentrations than women without MIAC (with MIAC: median 82.7 ng/mL, versus without MIAC: median 64.7 ng/mL; p = 0.0003). Women with IAI had higher amniotic fluid cathepsin-G concentrations than women without this complication (with IAI: median 103.0 ng/mL, versus without IAI: median 66.2 ng/mL; p < 0.0001). Women with microbial-associated (with both MIAC and IAI) IAI and sterile (IAI without MIAC) IAI had higher amniotic fluid cathepsin-G concentrations than women with colonization (MIAC without IAI) and women without both MIAC and IAI (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: The presence of either microbial-associated or sterile IAI was associated with increased amniotic fluid cathepsin-G concentrations in pregnancies complicated by PPROM. Amniotic fluid cathepsin-G appears to be a potential marker of IAI.

Keywords:

• Cathepsin-G
• preterm delivery
• PPROM
• inflammation
• serine protease
• neutrophil

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper. This work was supported by Charles University in Prague; Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; project “PRVOUK” P37/10; and Faculty Hospital in Hradec Kralove (long-term organization development plan).