Amniotic fluid concentrations of soluble scavenger receptor for hemoglobin (sCD163) in pregnancy complicated by preterm premature rupture of the membranes and histologic chorioamnionitis

Objective. To determine changes in the amniotic fluid, soluble form of scavenger receptor for hemoglobin (sCD163) concentrations during advancing gestation, and in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) complicated by histological chorioamnionitis were studied. Methods. One hundred and fifty-two women with singleton pregnancies were enrolled. The concentration of sCD163 in amniotic fluid was determined using sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. Results. Women in the midtrimester had a significantly higher median amniotic fluid sCD163 concentration than those at term not in labor (308 ng/ml vs. 217 ng/ml; p = 0.04). Patients with PPROM and histological chorioamnionitis had a higher median amniotic fluid sCD163 level than those with PPROM without histological chorioamnionitis (885 ng/ml vs. 288 ng/ml; p < 0.0001). Conclusions. Amniotic fluid sCD163 concentrations decrease with advancing gestation. Amniotic fluid sCD163 concentrations are significantly higher in women with PPROM between 24 and 36 gestational weeks with histological chorioamnionitis than those without histological signs of inflammation.