Influence of Pregnancy History on the Vaginal Microbiome of Pregnant Women in their First Trimester.

ABSTRACT: Pregnancy permanently alters maternal anatomy, physiology and immunity. We evaluated if the vaginal microbiome differed between women with a first or subsequent conception. Relative abundance of bacteria in the vaginal microbiome in first trimester pregnant women, 52 with their first known conception, 26 with a prior spontaneous or induced abortion but no deliveries and 77 with at least one prior birth, was determined by classifying DNA sequences from the V1-V3 region of bacterial 16?S rRNA genes. Lactobacillus crispatus was the numerically most abundant bacterium in 76.4% of women with a first conception, 50.0% with only a prior spontaneous or scheduled abortion and 22.2% with a prior birth (p???0.01). L. iners was the most abundant bacterium in 3.8% of women with a first conception as compared to 19.2% (p?=?0.03) and 20.8% (p?=?0.03) in those with a prior abortion or birth, respectively. Gardnerella as the most abundant bacterial genus increased from 3.8% in women with a first conception to 15.4% and 14.3% in those with a prior abortion or birth, respectively (p?>?0.05). L. iners dominance was also associated with a history of spontaneous abortion (p???0.02). The composition of the vaginal microbiome and its influence on pregnancy outcome varies with pregnancy history.

SUBMITTER: Nasioudis D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5579028 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature