Vaginal matrix metalloproteinase levels in pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis.

OBJECTIVE

To compare matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and MMP-9 levels in the vaginal secretions of pregnant women with or without asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV).

METHODS

In this study, vaginal levels and molecular forms of MMP-8 and MMP-9 were studied in 36 pregnant women between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation with asymptomatic BV and 41 pregnant women, matched for gestational age, without BV.

RESULTS

Vaginal MMP-8 concentrations were significantly higher (P = .023) in BV-positive women. There was no significant difference in MMP-9 levels between healthy pregnant controls and BV-positive pregnant women. The presence of MMP-8 was confirmed by a 38-kd band on Western blots.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that BV is associated with increased levels of MMP-8 in vaginal fluid. Increased production of collagen-degrading enzymes such as MMP-8 is a possible cause of spontaneous preterm delivery in pregnant women with asymptomatic BV.