Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
08:15
Modeling Healthy and Dysbiotic Vaginal Microenvironments in a Human Vagina-on-a-Chip
Published on: February 16, 2024
Reproductive and Perinatal Outcomes After Trachelectomy: Vaginal Microbiota and Early Preterm Birth
Hiromi Takemura1,2, Mana Taki1, Haruko Okamoto1
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research
|August 10, 2026
Summary
Vaginal microbiota imbalance after trachelectomy for cervical cancer increases preterm birth risk. Managing this imbalance may improve pregnancy outcomes for cancer survivors.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Microbiome Research
Background:
- Trachelectomy is a fertility-sparing treatment for early-stage cervical cancer.
- Understanding reproductive and perinatal outcomes post-trachelectomy is crucial for patient counseling.
- Predictors of pregnancy achievement and preterm birth require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate reproductive and perinatal outcomes in patients who underwent trachelectomy for early-stage cervical cancer.
- To identify predictors of pregnancy achievement and early preterm birth in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 37 patients undergoing trachelectomy (2010-2025).
- Analysis of reproductive outcomes in 20 patients desiring pregnancy and receiving infertility treatment.
- Assessment of perinatal outcomes in 17 deliveries, comparing early (<34 weeks) and late (≥34 weeks) preterm births.
Main Results:
- 75% of patients undergoing infertility treatment achieved clinical pregnancy; 60% had live births.
- Higher gravida at treatment initiation predicted pregnancy achievement.
- Vaginal microbiota imbalance (higher Nugent score) and preterm premature rupture of membranes were associated with early preterm birth (22-33 weeks).
Conclusions:
- Vaginal microbiota imbalance is a significant risk factor for early preterm birth after trachelectomy.
- Ascending infection due to impaired cervical barrier function may contribute to preterm birth.
- Prospective studies with microbiota profiling and interventions are needed.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
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,...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
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 the skin...
01:29Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
01:28Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
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...
01:21Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics
Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
01:28Tracheostomy: Procedure and Tubes
A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an artificial opening into the trachea, typically at the second or third cartilaginous ring level. This opening allows the insertion of a tracheostomy tube, which can replace an endotracheal tube, provide mechanical ventilation, bypass an upper airway obstruction, or remove accumulated tracheobronchial secretions.
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...
Tracheostomy tubes can be made of semiflexible plastic (polyurethane or silicone), rigid plastic, or metal, and they come in...