Is there an association between recurrent spontaneous abortion and mycoplasma infection?

INTRODUCTION

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is an important reproductive health issue with a serious adverse effect on patients and their families worldwide. The present study evaluated the association between mycoplasma infections and RSA in pregnant patients.

METHODOLOGY: This case-control study included 107 patients with RSA (study group) and 89 normal pregnant women who had planned abortions (control group) between March 2019 and February 2021. Cervical swabs were assessed for the presence of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum by Microtiter Plate Hybridization assay.

RESULTS

A total of 52 (48.6%) patients from the study group and 13 (14.6%) patients from control group were positive for mycoplasmas. The presence of M. hominis (29.9% vs. 9%; p = 0.024), U. urealyticum (18.7% vs. 5.6%; p = 0.015) and the co-infection of M. hominis/U. urealyticum (14% vs. 1%; p = 0.032) were significantly higher in the study group. Multivariate analysis revealed that pelvic pain (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.42; 95% CI = 0.40-3.65; p = 0.015), dysuria (OR = 4.12; 95% CI = 1.59-8.23; p = 0.021), and urinary tract infection (OR = 3.97; 95% CI = 1.52-4.17; p = 0.032) were independent predictors of RSA.

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of M. hominis/U. urealyticum in this study reveals a significant association with RSA. Pelvic pain and Mycoplasma infections are independent predictors of RSA.