A Sero-Epidemiological Inquiry on the Relationship Between Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Antibodies and Spontaneous Miscarriage among Iraqi Women: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study

Authors

• Nedhal Mahmuod Khaleefah, Dept. of Medical Biotechnology, College of Science, Ashur University, Baghdad 10013, Iraq
• Bushra Jabbar Al-Tmimi, Dept. of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Babylon, Hilla 51001, Iraq
• Layth Jasim Mohammed, Dept. of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Babylon, Hilla 51001, IraqFollow
• Asmaa Kadhim Gatea, Dept. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Babylon, Hilla 51001, Iraq
• Isaac Karimi, Research Group of Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Laboratory for Computational Physiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, 67149-67346, Kermanshah, IranFollow

Corresponding Author

Isaac Karimi

Authors ORCID

Nedhal Mahmuod Khaleefah: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3267-6238

Bushra Jabbar Al-Tmimi: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6815-2056

Layth Jasim Mohammed: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9340-8229

Asmaa Kadhim Gatea: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1209-1379

Isaac Karimi: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7415-0472

Document Type

Original Study

Keywords

Human cytomegalovirus, ELISA, Seroprevalence, Spontaneous miscarriage, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Spontaneous abortion is common, multifactorial, and infectious agents, such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), may act as a factor associated with its occurrence, especially during the early stages of pregnancy.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between HCMV seropositivity and spontaneous miscarriage and to explore connections with demographic and obstetric factors in Diyala, Iraq.
Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study enrolled 100 women experiencing current spontaneous miscarriage alongside 100 healthy pregnant controls in February and September 2024. Immunoglobulin (Ig) titers against HCMV were assessed using ELISA. Associations were analysed using Chi-square tests and logistic regression at the 0.05 significance level.
Results: The positivity of HCMV IgM was significantly elevated among miscarriage cases than among controls (22% vs. 1%; p≤ 0.001), as was the presence of HCMV IgG (93% vs. 20%; p≤ 0.001). Miscarriage occurred predominantly observed in the first trimester, accounting for 86%. This early stage was significantly linked to the likelihood of miscarriage, with an odds ratio of 14.33 (95% confidence interval = 6.27–32.79; p ≤ 0.001).
Conclusion: The presence of HCMV antibodies was notably linked to spontaneous miscarriage, particularly during the first trimester.

How to Cite This Article

Khaleefah, Nedhal Mahmuod; Al-Tmimi, Bushra Jabbar; Mohammed, Layth Jasim; Gatea, Asmaa Kadhim; and Karimi, Isaac (2026) "A Sero-Epidemiological Inquiry on the Relationship Between Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Antibodies and Spontaneous Miscarriage among Iraqi Women: A Hospital-Based Case-Control Study," Hilla University College Journal For Medical Science: Vol. 4: Iss. 3, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.62445/2958-4515.1125

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