Vinodhini E, Pegu Bhabani, Rengaraj Sasirekha, Singh Rakesh
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, IND.
Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, IND.
Cureus. 2025 Apr 15;17(4):e82302. doi: 10.7759/cureus.82302. eCollection 2025 Apr.
Preterm birth is the second leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine if there were differences in the microbiota between women experiencing preterm labor and those with full-term pregnancies. Additionally, we aimed to identify the vaginal microorganisms present and their antibiotic sensitivities in women undergoing spontaneous preterm labor.
Women with a spontaneous onset of labor were recruited for the study. Those with spontaneous term labor were classified as Group A, while those with preterm labor were classified as Group B. Three high vaginal swabs were collected from the posterior fornix using a sterile swab and sent to the Microbiology Department for Gram staining, culture and sensitivity testing, and polymerase chain reaction analysis.
The frequency of vaginal infection is more among women in spontaneous preterm labor than those in spontaneous term labor. Socioeconomic status and women with a previous history of preterm labor were found to be at high risk for preterm labor. The most common organism belongs to Gram-negative bacilli and is sensitive to third-generation cephalosporins.
The study suggests that vaginal infections may increase the risk of preterm labor, with gram-negative bacilli commonly identified and mostly sensitive to third-generation cephalosporins. Routine screening for asymptomatic genital infections in antenatal women is recommended, regardless of preterm labor risk, as early identification and treatment could help prevent preterm labor.
早产是新生儿发病和死亡的第二大主要原因。本研究旨在确定早产孕妇与足月妊娠孕妇的微生物群是否存在差异。此外，我们旨在识别自然早产女性体内存在的阴道微生物及其抗生素敏感性。
招募自然发动分娩的女性参与研究。自然足月分娩的女性被归类为A组，早产的女性被归类为B组。使用无菌拭子从后穹窿采集三根高阴道拭子，并送至微生物科进行革兰氏染色、培养和敏感性测试以及聚合酶链反应分析。
自然早产女性的阴道感染发生率高于自然足月分娩女性。社会经济地位以及有早产史的女性被发现早产风险较高。最常见的病原体属于革兰氏阴性杆菌，对第三代头孢菌素敏感。
该研究表明，阴道感染可能会增加早产风险，革兰氏阴性杆菌是常见病原体且大多对第三代头孢菌素敏感。建议对产前女性进行无症状生殖器感染的常规筛查，无论早产风险如何，因为早期识别和治疗有助于预防早产。
