Cecilia Tibaldi1, Nazario Cappello2, Maria A Latino3, Giulia Polarolo4, Giulia Masuelli4, Franco Cavallo2, Chiara Benedetto4. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Turin, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy. Electronic address: ceciliatibaldi@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Public Health and Pediatric Science, Medical Statistics Unit, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. 3. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Unit of Bacteriology, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Turin, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of abnormal vaginal flora during pregnancy and associated maternal risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken of cervicovaginal smears performed on pregnant women at a center in Turin, Italy, between 2000 and 2010. Patients were divided into three groups: women with symptoms of genital infections (G1), asymptomatic women at risk of preterm birth (G2), and asymptomatic women with no risk (G3). Logistic regression models identified variables associated with microorganisms. RESULTS: Among 11 219 samples, 4913 (43.8%) were positive, of which 3783 (77.0%) were positive for a single microorganism. Multivariate analysis for G1 showed positive associations between multiple sexual partners and bacterial vaginosis/Ureaplasma urealyticum, and multiparity with preterm birth and U. urealyticum (P<0.05 for all). In G2, there were significant associations between multiparity with preterm birth and bacterial vaginosis/aerobic vaginitis, and North African origin and bacterial vaginosis/U. urealyticum (P<0.05 for all). In G3, there were associations between little education (<8 years) and bacterial vaginosis/U. urealyticum, multiple sexual partners and bacterial vaginosis/U. urealyticum, and bacterial vaginosis and Eastern European origin and not being married (P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Positive cervicovaginal smears were associated with a particular profile. Testing could be advisable for symptomatic women at any stage of pregnancy, during the first trimester for asymptomatic women at risk of preterm birth, and for some asymptomatic women.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of abnormal vaginal flora during pregnancy and associated maternal risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken of cervicovaginal smears performed on pregnant women at a center in Turin, Italy, between 2000 and 2010. Patients were divided into three groups: women with symptoms of genital infections (G1), asymptomatic women at risk of preterm birth (G2), and asymptomatic women with no risk (G3). Logistic regression models identified variables associated with microorganisms. RESULTS: Among 11 219 samples, 4913 (43.8%) were positive, of which 3783 (77.0%) were positive for a single microorganism. Multivariate analysis for G1 showed positive associations between multiple sexual partners and bacterial vaginosis/Ureaplasma urealyticum, and multiparity with preterm birth and U. urealyticum (P<0.05 for all). In G2, there were significant associations between multiparity with preterm birth and bacterial vaginosis/aerobic vaginitis, and North African origin and bacterial vaginosis/U. urealyticum (P<0.05 for all). In G3, there were associations between little education (<8 years) and bacterial vaginosis/U. urealyticum, multiple sexual partners and bacterial vaginosis/U. urealyticum, and bacterial vaginosis and Eastern European origin and not being married (P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Positive cervicovaginal smears were associated with a particular profile. Testing could be advisable for symptomatic women at any stage of pregnancy, during the first trimester for asymptomatic women at risk of preterm birth, and for some asymptomatic women.
Authors: Travis K Price; Birte Wolff; Thomas Halverson; Roberto Limeira; Linda Brubaker; Qunfeng Dong; Elizabeth R Mueller; Alan J Wolfe Journal: mBio Date: 2020-04-21 Impact factor: 7.867