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10.3390/microorganisms12020417
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Article

Analysis of Vaginal Microbiota Variations in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Their Correlation with Preterm Birth: A Case-Control Study

by
Catalin Prodan-Barbulescu
1,2,3,
Felix Bratosin
1,4,5,*,
Roxana Folescu
6,
Estera Boeriu
7,
Zoran Laurentiu Popa
8,
Cosmin Citu
8,
Adrian Ratiu
8,
Ovidiu Rosca
4,5 and
Adrian Cosmin Ilie
9
1
Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
2
IInd Surgery Clinic, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
3
Department I, Discipline of Anatomy and Embriology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
4
Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
5
Methodological and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
6
Department of Family Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
7
Department of Pediatrics, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
8
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
9
Department III Functional Sciences, Division of Public Health and Management, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020417
Submission received: 29 December 2023 / Revised: 7 February 2024 / Accepted: 8 February 2024 / Published: 19 February 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaginal Microbiome in Women's Health)
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Abstract

This study conducted a detailed analysis of the vaginal microbiota in pregnant women to explore its correlation with preterm birth (PTB) outcomes. The primary objective was to identify microbial variations associated with increased PTB risk. Secondary objectives included investigating how changes in microbial composition relate to the local immune environment and PTB. Utilizing a retrospective case–control design, the study involved pregnant women with liveborn infants between 2019 and 2023. In total, 89 women who delivered preterm and 106 term deliveries were included. Data collection focused on third-trimester vaginal cultures. Statistically significant differences were observed between the preterm and full-term groups in several areas. The median white blood cell count (10.2 × 103/mm3 vs. 7.6 × 103/mm3, p = 0.009) and neutrophil count (7.2 × 103/mm3 vs. 5.1 × 103/mm3, p < 0.001) were higher in the preterm group. Vaginal pH was also elevated in preterm births (5.6 vs. 4.4, p < 0.001), with a higher prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (29.2% vs. 12.3%, p = 0.001) as indicated by the Nugent Score. The study noted a significant association of PTB with the presence of Candida spp. (OR = 1.84, p = 0.018), Gardnerella vaginalis (OR = 2.29, p = 0.003), Mycoplasma hominis (OR = 1.97, p = 0.007), and Ureaplasma urealyticum (OR = 2.43, p = 0.001). Conversely, a reduction in Lactobacillus spp. correlated with a decreased PTB risk (OR = 0.46, p = 0.001). The study provides compelling evidence that specific vaginal microbiota components, particularly certain pathogenic bacteria and an altered Lactobacillus profile, are significantly associated with PTB risk. These findings highlight the potential of targeting microbial factors in strategies aimed at reducing PTB rates. Further research is necessary to fully understand the complex interplay between microbial dynamics, host immunity, and PTB outcomes.
Keywords: vaginal microbiota; preterm birth; obstetric outcomes vaginal microbiota; preterm birth; obstetric outcomes

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MDPI and ACS Style

Prodan-Barbulescu, C.; Bratosin, F.; Folescu, R.; Boeriu, E.; Popa, Z.L.; Citu, C.; Ratiu, A.; Rosca, O.; Ilie, A.C. Analysis of Vaginal Microbiota Variations in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Their Correlation with Preterm Birth: A Case-Control Study. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 417. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020417

AMA Style

Prodan-Barbulescu C, Bratosin F, Folescu R, Boeriu E, Popa ZL, Citu C, Ratiu A, Rosca O, Ilie AC. Analysis of Vaginal Microbiota Variations in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Their Correlation with Preterm Birth: A Case-Control Study. Microorganisms. 2024; 12(2):417. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020417

Chicago/Turabian Style

Prodan-Barbulescu, Catalin, Felix Bratosin, Roxana Folescu, Estera Boeriu, Zoran Laurentiu Popa, Cosmin Citu, Adrian Ratiu, Ovidiu Rosca, and Adrian Cosmin Ilie. 2024. "Analysis of Vaginal Microbiota Variations in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Their Correlation with Preterm Birth: A Case-Control Study" Microorganisms 12, no. 2: 417. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020417

APA Style

Prodan-Barbulescu, C., Bratosin, F., Folescu, R., Boeriu, E., Popa, Z. L., Citu, C., Ratiu, A., Rosca, O., & Ilie, A. C. (2024). Analysis of Vaginal Microbiota Variations in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy and Their Correlation with Preterm Birth: A Case-Control Study. Microorganisms, 12(2), 417. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020417

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