ABSTRACT
Aim: Evaluation of predictive value of levels of cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) interleukin (IL)-6 and 8, and matrix
metalloproteinases (MMP) estimated at time of performing cervical cerclage (CC) in women with history of spontaneous
preterm birth (SPTB) for pregnancy duration.
Materials and Methods: 59 women had history of SPTB (Study group) and 25 women with no history of SPTB (Control
group). Two CVF samples were obtained for ELISA estimation of IL-6, IL-8, MMP8 and MMP9 levels at 14-18 gestational
weeks (GW), S1 sampling time, and at time of removal of CC suture, S2 sampling time. CC was applied 4-days after S1
sampling.
Results: S1-CVF levels were significantly higher in study versus control women. S2-CVF levels were significantly higher
in control, while were significantly lower in study women compared to S1 levels. S2-CVF IL-6 and IL-8 levels were nonsignificantly higher, while levels of MMP were significantly lower in study than control women. Percentages of change in
cytokines' levels showed significant differences between study and control groups. Nineteen study women had PTD at 37 GW. Study women had significantly shorter CL and pregnancy duration compared to
control women. Pregnancy duration was negatively correlated with percentage of CL change, while positively correlated with
percentage of decrease of cytokines levels.
Conclusion: CC induced significant decrease of CVF cyt