A CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF STILLBIRTHS AT A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN ZAMBIA, 1979-80 - SEROLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR SELECTED INFECTIOUS AGENTS

Abstract

Sera were obtained from 266 mothers of singleton stillborn babies (cases) and 266 mothers of live-born babies (controls), matched for parity, who delivered at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia, between Oct., 1979 and April, 1980. Tests were performed on 262 samples from cases and 261 from controls. The microhemagglutination assay for Treponema pallidum (MHA-TP) was reactive in 54% of cases and 29% of controls; the rapid plasma reagin (RPR) 18-mm circle card test was reactive at a dilution of .gtoreq. 1:16 in 29% of cases and in 3.5% of controls. Both these differences are highly significant. Sera from cases and controls were further examined for evidence of cytomegalovirus, human (alpha) herpesvirus, hepatitis B virus, toxoplasma and plasmodium infections. The only difference between sera from cases and controls was that cytomegalovirus antibody titers .gtoreq. 1:1024 occurred more often among cases. There was no relationship between antibody titer and birth weight. The importance of screening pregnant women for syphilis is emphasized. Treatment of those found to be infected should help prevent stillbirths due to syphilis.