The microbiology of premature rupture of the membranes.

The foregoing discussions bring to mind several salient facts: Although numerous barriers to infection exist, this aspect is understood incompletely. Conclusions on the pathogenicity or nonpathogenicity of certain organisms are often made from studies with very small numbers of patients, or in very specific patient populations. When such entities as low birth weight, premature labor, and PROM, which are all obviously related to some extent, are studied, very complicated analyses on large numbers of patients are required. Most of the organisms discussed are considered to be sexually transmitted. Because STDs are generally recognized to travel together in the same patient populations, the statistics necessary to separate one organism from another are complex indeed. The previous discussion notwithstanding, it is extremely difficult to form a solid conclusion about relation of these organisms to PROM with confidence. Many more patients need to be studied through many more pregnancies. In addition, differences among population subgroups make extrapolation extremely difficult. Currently the Louisiana State University is participating in a large, multicenter, collaborative study under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health. This study should provide an adequate data base concerning most of the isolates discussed and potential adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Then definitive statements may be made regarding both the screening of pregnant women and initiation of selective therapy. Specific management recommendations are discussed by Nagey and Saller in this symposium.