[Effect of atypical pathogen colonization on cervical priming in cervix insufficiency]

In a prospective study the cervical bacterial flora of pregnant women with insufficiency of the cervix is compared with the flora of asymptomatic pregnant women. It could be demonstrated, that in case of insufficiency of the cervix a different bacterial flora is found: in addition to the incidence of pathological bacterial groups, a shift of the physiological flora with Doederlein's bacilli to a mixed flora is observed. New findings in the cervical priming lead to the idea, that an atypical cervical flora could influence the cervical priming. The changing of the cervical environment is able to induce an increased production of prostaglandins with cervical dilatation of its structure. Regarding the different cervical flora in case of cervical insufficiency, the importance of the circular suture in the prophylactic management of premature delivery will be discussed. The results lead to the necessity of precise vaginal check-up and therapy of genital infections during pregnancy.