Elevated Levels of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 and Their Role in Miscarriage caused by Cytomegalovirus Infection

Abdulrab, Athraa A.; Al-Ramahy, Syoof K.; Al-Harmooshee, Maather B.H.

doi:10.21608/ejmm.2025.387848.1669

Elevated Levels of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 and Their Role in Miscarriage caused by Cytomegalovirus Infection

Document Type : New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.

Authors

¹ Al-Furat Al-Awsat technical university, Technical Institute, Diwanya, Iraq

² Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Al- Qadisiyah, Iraq

³ Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Al Qadisiya, Diwaniyah, Iraq

10.21608/ejmm.2025.387848.1669

Abstract

Background: Microbes significantly impact public health, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), whose reactivation is common during the last trimester of pregnancy. The presence of CMV in the cervix may increase the risk of preterm birth or spontaneous abortion by releasing certain inflammatory cytokines in the cervix. CMV is very common, especially in women, leading to miscarriage, a major global health problem, primarily attributed to motherly immune reactions toward the fetus. Objective: The aim of the present study aimed to recognize specific immune biomarkers, represented by some pro-inflammatory cytokines, and to correlate changes in their levels with miscarriage caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Methodology: The research comprised 100 females attending the Maternity and Children's Hospital in Diwaniyah Governorate. The first group consisted of 50 patients diagnosed with miscarriage who tested positive for CMV, while the second group consisted of 50 healthy pregnant women who tested negative for CMV and served as a control group. Results: The results revealed significantly elevated levels of the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, which might produce a potential character in CMV-induced miscarriages. These findings emphasize the requirement for additional examination to clarify the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted immunological interferences to improve motherly and fetal tolerance to prevent pregnancy loss. Conclusion: Our results indicate that there is a significant elevated immune expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in women with CMV-associated miscarriages.

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