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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development
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A Murine Model of Fetal Exposure to Maternal Inflammation to Study the Effects of Acute Chorioamnionitis on Newborn Intestinal Development

Published on: June 24, 2020

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The common vaginal commensal bacterium Ureaplasma parvum is associated with chorioamnionitis in extreme preterm labor

Ciara Cox1,2, Nita Saxena3, Alison P Watt1

  • 1a Department of Microbiology , Belfast Health and Social Care Trust , Belfast , Northern Ireland , UK .

The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine : the Official Journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians
|January 23, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Ureaplasma parvum in placental tissue was linked to acute chorioamnionitis in women experiencing preterm labor. This finding highlights the role of specific bacteria in adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Microbiology
  • Perinatal Medicine

Background:

  • Preterm birth remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality.
  • Chorioamnionitis, an infection of the fetal membranes, is a significant risk factor for preterm delivery.
  • The role of specific vaginal bacteria in the development of chorioamnionitis and preterm birth requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between vaginal commensal and pathogenic bacteria (Ureaplasma parvum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Group B Streptococcus, Gardnerella vaginalis) and chorioamnionitis in women delivering preterm.
  • To determine if the presence of these bacteria correlates with the presence or absence of chorioamnionitis.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted on 57 placental samples from women who delivered before 37 weeks gestation.
  • Placental tissues were histologically examined for chorioamnionitis (polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration).
  • Nucleic acid amplification tests were used to detect the presence of target bacteria in placental samples.

Main Results:

  • Chorioamnionitis was present in 42.1% of placental samples.
  • Ureaplasma parvum was detected in 19.3% of samples and was significantly associated with chorioamnionitis (p=0.02, OR 5.0).
  • Ureaplasma parvum was more prevalent in second-trimester deliveries (35.7%) compared to third-trimester deliveries (13.9%).

Conclusions:

  • Ureaplasma parvum detection in placental tissue is significantly associated with acute chorioamnionitis in women experiencing extreme preterm labor.
  • Other tested bacteria (Ureaplasma urealyticum, Gardnerella vaginalis, Group B Streptococcus) did not show a significant association with chorioamnionitis or earlier delivery in this cohort.
  • Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis were not detected in the placental samples.
Keywords:
BacteriaPCRUreaplasmaintra-amnioticplacentapregnancyprematuritytrimester

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