No abstract

Background: One underlying cause of unexplained recurrent abortions (RA) may be a maternal immunological malfunction preventing the mother from developing immune responses that are required for maternofetal tolerance. Although published results are conflicting, several authors have reported successful treatment by immunization of the prospective mother with paternal leukocytes. We report our 15-year experience with immunotherapy for prevention of recurrent abortions and our first results with immunotherapy in case of unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. Patients and Methods: Between 1990 and 2004, 202 women with RA and 47 patients with unsuccessful IVF treatment were immunized intradermally with 3-5 × 107 paternal lymphocytes separated from 50 ml whole blood. Results: In the analysis of all treated women with RA, the overall success rate (live births in all patients treated) was 75% (132/177). In the analysis of pregnant women only, the success rate was 87% (132/152). Out of the 47 patients with unsuccessful IVF treatment, 34% (16/47) got pregnant, with a successful delivery of a baby in 75% (12/16). Except for transitory inflammatory reactions at the injection site, we did not register any adverse reactions related to the immunotherapy. Conclusion: Immunotherapy with paternal lymphocytes is a therapeutic option for patients with recurrent miscarriages. Also in patients with unsuccessful IVF program, the rate of successful pregnancy could be increased by active immunotherapy.