Promising novel diagnostic biomarker for ectopic pregnancies identified
November 5th, 2010 - 2:17 pm ICT by ANIWashington, Nov 5 (ANI): Scientists in the UK have discovered a promising novel diagnostic biomarker for ectopic pregnancy.
In the western world, deaths from ectopic pregnancy are not common but in the developing world one in ten women who are admitted with an ectopic pregnancy die.
An ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy that occurs outside the uterine cavity. Most ectopic pregnancies take place in the Fallopian tube but implantation can also occur in the cervix, ovaries and abdomen. Ectopic pregnancy is associated with severe pelvic pain and the need for a blood transfusion. The condition is a leading cause of pregnancy-related first trimester deaths.
“Finding a simple and cost-effective test using biomarkers to diagnose ectopic pregnancies would have a significant impact on reducing emotional distress and unnecessary deaths,” said Andrew Horne, of the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom and lead author of the study.
“Our study shows that placental growth factor (PIGF), a key molecule in the formation of blood vessels, is a promising novel diagnostic biomarker for ectopic pregnancies.”
In this study, researchers obtained trophoblast samples from 40 pregnant women aged 18-45 years undergoing surgical termination of pregnancy, evacuation of uterus for embryonic missed miscarriage or surgery for tubal ectopic pregnancy. Trophoblasts are specialized cells of the placenta that play an important role in embryo implantation.
Serum PIGF levels were measured in all trophoblast samples and researchers found that PIGF was reduced in samples from tubal ectopic pregnancies when compare to intrauterine pregnancies.
“The inevitable multiple visits and tests that are currently necessary to diagnose ectopic pregnancies are a sizable expense for health services,” said Horne.
“Serum PIGF may be the answer to the urgent unmet need for a biomarker for tubal ectopic pregnancy that allows quicker diagnosis and facilitates earlier and less invasive treatment. Large-scale studies are now required to determine its clinical utility.”
The study appears in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). (ANI)
- Potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy identified - Feb 17, 2011
- Now, a blood test to spot ectopic pregnancy - Oct 29, 2010
- Women who smoke 'four times more likely to have ectopic pregnancy' - Sep 28, 2010
- How chlamydia can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy - Jan 12, 2011
- Four novel biomarkers that may help diagnose asthma, COPD identified - Mar 12, 2011
- Warring placenta, uterus trigger preeclampsia - Oct 11, 2011
- Bacteria linked to preterm births, developmental problems in newborns - Jan 28, 2011
- Chandigarh lab, northeast varsity work on cancer detector - Dec 01, 2011
- Pregnancy outcome linked to immune system genes - Oct 26, 2010
- Groundbreaking technology to detect Alzheimer's developed - Jan 07, 2011
- Microsponges from seaweed may help diagnose diseases quickly - Feb 10, 2011
- New advances may hold key to fight preeclampsia - Oct 16, 2010
- Now, blood tests can detect Alzheimer's disease before symptoms occur - Feb 12, 2011
- Link between breast implants and rare form of cancer confirmed - Apr 20, 2011
- Researchers study protein essential for successful pregnancy - May 30, 2010
Tags: 45 years, abnormal pregnancy, andrew horne, biomarker, blood transfusion, ectopic pregnancies, ectopic pregnancy, embryo implantation, emotional distress, fallopian tube, first trimester, ovaries, pelvic pain, placenta, study researchers, termination of pregnancy, university of edinburgh, unmet need, unnecessary deaths, uterine cavity