Expression of HCMV-Encoded miR-UL148D and miR-UL36-3P in Women with HCMV-Associated Miscarriage: A Case-Control Study

Objectives: To evaluate the expression levels of HCMV-encoded miR-UL148D and miR-UL36-3P in women with a miscarriage associated with HCMV infection. Material and Methods: A case-control study was designed to include 50 women who had miscarriages due to active human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, with a high HCMV viral load >10×10³ copies/mL, and a control group consisting of 50 healthy pregnant women who had not previously experienced miscarriages. RNAs were extracted from buffy coat samples to measure the HCMV-miR-UL148D and HCMV-miR-UL36-3P gene expression by the quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) technique. Results: Both HCMV-miR-UL148D and HCMV-miR-UL36-3P were significantly upregulated in miscarriage patients (2.66-fold and 21.16-fold changes, respectively; p-value<0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated strong diagnostic performance. For HCMV-miR-UL148D, sensitivity was 96%, and specificity was 98% (AUC=0.94). For HCMV-miR-UL36-3P, sensitivity was 91%, and specificity was 87% (AUC=0.94). Conclusion: Elevated expressions of HCMV-encoded miR-UL148D and miR-UL36-3P may contribute to HCMV-associated miscarriage and could serve as potential biomarkers for adverse pregnancy outcomes.