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Aim: This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of high anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant levels in women with histories of at least two miscarriages. Methods: The presence of high anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant levels were evaluated in 52 patients with ages between 17 and 41 (mean 26.7 years old) who had histories of repeated miscarriages. Results: High anticardiolipin antibody levels were identified in 55.77% and lupus anticoagulant levels in 2% of the individuals. Conclusion: In conclusion, women who suffer from repeated miscarriages present with a high prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies. Further studies on this issue are crucial as these antibodies are associated with hypercoagulability and thus increased the risk of thromboembolic events.

Introduction: The aims of the current study are to report on preliminary epidemiological data of pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).Material and methods: HIV tests of 4653 pregnant women from Săo José do Rio Preto, Brazil between May 1995 and May 1997 were assessed, and the following epidemiological aspects were noted: age ethnic background, number of gestations, marital status, type of delivery, and the patients’ knowledge about the disease including: forms of transmission, diseases associated with positive cases, and the difficulties in and evolution of the approach to the disease in Brazil. Statistical analysis used percentages with means and standard deviation.Results: HIV tests were positive in 48 (1.03%) of the pregnant women. The mean age was 24.3±0.6 years. 35 (72.9%) of the individuals were married and 13 (27.1%) had been pregnant one to four times previously. 52.0% knew they were HIV positive and in 23 (48.0%), diagnoses was made during the consultations for this pregnancy. In 25 (52.0%) the form of transmission was unknown; events and gravid diseases occurred in 4 (31.2%) cases. In 38 (79.2%) cases delivery occurred before the 36th week of gestation, with delivery being vaginal in 38 (79.2%) cases, and there were puerperal complications in 8 (16.7%).Conclusions: The routine examination to test for HIV during pregnancy allows the identification of women who are unaware of infection by the virus and performance of medicinal prevention for these pregnant.

Gestational Toxoplasma gondii infection is considered a major risk factor for miscarriage, prematurity and low birth weight in animals. However, studies focusing on this topic in humans are scarce. The objective of this study is to determine whether anti-Toxoplasma gondii maternal serum profiles correlate prematurity and low birth weight in humans. The study examined 213 pregnant women seen at the High-Risk Pregnancy Hospital de Base, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. All serological profiles (IgM-/IgG+; IgM-/IgG-; IgM+/IgG+) were determined by ELISA commercial kits. Maternal age, gestational age and weight of the newborn at birth were collected and recorded in the Statement of Live Birth. Prematurity was defined as gestational age