No abstract

Our findings suggest a shift of Th1-dominant to Th2-dominant status by vaccination might play important roles in maintaining successful pregnancies. Induction of some T cells that utilize different TCR repertoires possibly suppresses maternal rejection reactions.

Our findings indicate critical roles of IL-12 in the activation of maternal lymphocytes, which could possibly result in pregnancy failure syndromes.

Recently, possible involvement of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in hyperemesis gravidarum have been reported based on serological studies and the therapeutic effects of antibiotics. In this study, we examined for the presence of H. pylori genome [by (PCR) of saliva] in combination with serological techniques. Thirty-four patients with hyperemesis and 29 normal pregnant subjects were examined for serum anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies and PCR of saliva. By serum antibody test, 16 of 34 hyperemesis patients (47.5%) were positive for anti-H. pylori IgG antibody, while 6 of 29 control subjects (20.6%) were positive (chi2 p < 0.0005). PCR revealed positive H. pylori genome in 21 cases out of 34 hyperemesis (61.8%, 14 of 16 patients positive for H. pylori antibody and 7 of H. pylori-antibody-negative 18 patients) and 8 of 29 control subjects (27.6%) (chi2 p < 0.000001). We suggest chronic infection of H. pylori as one of the important factors on the pathogenesis of hyperemesis gravidarum even though it may not be the single cause of the disorder.

Our results suggest that expression of mPGES in addition to COX-2 plays a role in increasing PGE(2) production in endometriosis.