Oral Anaerobic Microflora and Pregnancy Complication

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis and periodontal diseases share very similar pathogenesis. Each of these diseases occurs when healthy microbiome changes to predominately anaerobic bacterial flora. Bacterial vaginosis is proven factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. In recent years it has been hypothesized that infection from distant sites of the fetoplacental unit may also elicit an inflammatory response in utero. Aim: The study is designed to determine whether the presence of specific oral anaerobic bacteria in subgingival sulcus of mother increase the risk of adverse obstetric outcomes. Material and Methods: Case-control study. Control group: 50 patients who gave birth to neonate whit normal birth weight at term. Group cases: I group - 40 pregnant women who were hospitalized with signs of preterm labor. II - 20 pregnant women, who have an ultrasound diagnosis of fetal growth retardation. Sub-gingival microbiological paper-point swab was taken in all patients. Results: The total number of isolated oral anaerobic bacteria was statistically significantly higher in the cases group compared to control group p <0.01. In our study, pregnant women who tested positive for Porphyrmonas gingivalis for 6.65 times were more likely to have preterm labor compare with pregnant women with negative oral swabs (95.0% CI: 1.38-32.11 / p <0.05), and for 2,79 times more likely to have fetus with intrauterine growth restriction (95.0% CI: 1.10-7.91 / p <0.05 Conclusions: The study confirmed the hypothesis of a statistically significant association between oral anaerobic infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In the future, more studies are needed to investigate the role of the microbial load, maternal immune response, pathophysiological pathway that leads to negative pregnancy outcome.