BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been described in abortion tissues,but seldom associated with inclusion bodies. However, the possible pathogenic role of this virus in abortionis under discussion. We attempted to verify the relationship between HCMV antigens in tissues from firsttrimester abortions presenting with inflammatory lesions.MATERIAL/METHODS: Sixteen cases of first trimesterabortions with inflammatory lesions were selected from 340 cases studied at the Pathology Unit of theUniversity Hospital in Vit ria, Esp rito Santo State, Brazil. Paraffin-embedded sections were subjectedto indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) and immunoperoxidase (PAP), using monoclonal antibodies directedagainst immediate early (IEA) and late antigens (LA) of HCMV.RESULTS: Twelve out of sixteen cases (75%)presented at least one HCMV antigen. Eight cases presented both antigens, three cases only the IEA andone case only the LA. These antigens were present in decidual cells, in stromal cells of chorionic villiand in trophoblastic cells.CONCLUSIONS: The results showed high frequency of HCMV antigens in tissuesfrom first trimester abortion. This frequency, higher than that previously reported, was probably dueto the fact that necro-inflammatory lesions were always present in selected cases. The presence of LAin trophoblastic cells is evidence for cell permissiveness to viral replication in vivo. The resultsshowing high presence of HCMV antigens in tissues from abortion with inflammatory lesions suggest a possiblerelationship of HCMV infection with inflammation and pregnancy loss.

Keywords: Abortion, Spontaneous, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Antigens, Viral, Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Trimester, First