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Related Concept Videos

Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

65
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
65
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

199
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
199
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

61
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
61
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

53
The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
53
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

90
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
90
Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

96
The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface
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The placenta harbors a unique microbiome.

Kjersti Aagaard1, Jun Ma2, Kathleen M Antony3

  • 1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Bioinformatics Research Laboratory, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. aagaardt@bcm.edu.

Science Translational Medicine
|May 23, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The human placenta harbors a unique microbiome, distinct from other body sites and most similar to the oral microbiome. This placental microbiome is associated with antenatal infections and preterm birth.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Human physiology
  • Reproductive health

Background:

  • The human microbiome comprises diverse body site niches with unique metabolic and antigenic profiles.
  • The placental microbiome remains understudied despite potential roles in pregnancy.
  • Intracellular bacteria in the placenta may have immune regulatory functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the placental microbiome composition and compare it to other human body sites.
  • To investigate potential associations between the placental microbiome and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • 16S ribosomal DNA-based and whole-genome shotgun (WGS) metagenomic sequencing of 320 sterile placental specimens.
  • Comparative analysis of placental microbial taxa and gene carriage patterns against oral, skin, airway, vaginal, and gut microbiomes.
  • Statistical analysis including permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA).

Main Results:

  • A unique placental microbiome niche was identified, dominated by commensal bacteria from Firmicutes, Tenericutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Fusobacteria phyla.
  • Placental microbiome profiles showed the highest similarity to the oral microbiome.
  • Associations were found between the placental microbiome and a history of antenatal infection (e.g., first-trimester urinary tract infection) and preterm birth (<37 weeks).

Conclusions:

  • The placenta harbors a distinct commensal microbiome, sharing similarities with the oral microbiome.
  • Placental microbial composition is linked to antenatal infection history and adverse pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth.