Pentraxin 3 in plasma and vaginal fluid in women with preterm delivery*

Abstract

Objective To investigate the role of pentraxin 3 (PTX3), an acute‐phase protein produced by cells of innate immunity in response to inflammatory signals, in spontaneous preterm delivery (PTD). Design Cohort study. Setting Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Milano‐Bicocca. Population Forty‐six pregnant women with preterm rupture of membranes (n= 33) or preterm labour with intact membranes (n= 13) delivering at P= 0.0003) but not in vaginal swabs (1660, 0–6604 versus 457, 0–4649 pg/ml; P= 0.386). PTX3 levels in plasma were significantly higher in women with placenta vasculopathy compared with that in women with no placental lesions (2910, 0–9630 versus 636, 0–5692 pg/ml; P= 0.04). Peak plasma and vaginal PTX3 concentrations were not significantly different in women with versus women without intrauterine infection (1168, 0–7110 versus 845, 0–9630 pg/ml, P= 0.34 and 1975, 471–6604 versus 1919, 0–4150 pg/ml, P= 0.38, respectively). Conclusions Spontaneous PTD is associated with a significant increase of maternal plasma concentrations of PTX3. PTX3 seems to be a marker of placenta vasculopathy rather than intrauterine infection.