The role of C – reactive protein and Pentraxin 3 in HIV-associated pre-eclampsia

Objectives: To compare the expression of inflammatory proteins, pentraxin 3 and c-reactive proteins in HIV-associated normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies. Methods Both HIV status (HIV-positive and HIV-negative) and pregnancy type (normotensive pregnant and preeclampsia) were used to stratify the study population (n = 80). Using a ProcartaPlex™ immunoassay technique, the plasma concentrations of pentraxin 3 and c-reactive protein were measured. Results An up-regulation of c-reactive protein was demonstrated in pre-eclamptic versus normotensive women; HIV-positive versus HIV-negative, and across the study population. albeit non-significant. Pentraxin 3 was significantly higher in preeclamptic versus normotensive women ( p  < 0.0001), irrespective of HIV status. However, no significance was found in HIV status, regardless of pregnancy type. When compared across all groups pentraxin 3 concentrations was significantly different between normotensive HIV-negative versus pre-eclamptic HIV-negative groups ( p  = 0.0001); and normotensive HIV-negative versus pre-eclamptic HIV-positive groups ( p  = 0.0049). Conclusions This novel study demonstrated pentraxin 3 concentrations to be significantly higher in pre-eclampsia compared to normotensive pregnant women, emanating from oxidative stress and inflammation. C-reactive protein was higher in the normotensive pregnant women compared to pre-eclampsia. This difference may stem from hepatic dysfunction, gestational age, disease severity, interleukin-6 production, and/or sample size.