Abstract
BackgroundRecent studies suggest that placenta may harbour a unique microbiome that may have origin in maternal oral microbiome. Although the major physiological and hormonal adjustments observed in pregnant women lead to biochemical and microbiological modifications of the oral environment, very few studies evaluated the changes suffered by the oral microbiota throughout pregnancy. So, the aim of our study was to evaluate oral yeast colonization throughout pregnancy and to compare it with non-pregnant women.Material and MethodsThe oral yeast colonization was assessed in saliva of 30 pregnant and non-pregnant women longitudinally over a 6-months period. Demographic information was collected, a non-invasive intra-oral examination was performed and saliva flow and pH were determined.ResultsPregnant and non-pregnant groups were similar regarding age and level of education. Saliva flow rate did not differ, but saliva pH was lower in pregnant than in non-pregnant women. Oral yeast prevalence was higher in pregnant than in non-pregnant women, either in the first or in the third trimester, but did not attain statistical significance. In individuals colonized with yeast, the total yeast quantification (Log10CFU/mL) increase from the 1st to the 3rd trimester in pregnant women, but not in non-pregnant women.ConclusionsPregnancy may favour oral yeast growth that may be associated with an acidic oral environment. Key words:Oral yeast, fungi, pregnancy, saliva pH.
Highlights
Oral microorganisms are capable of passing through oral mucous membranes, spreading to different body sites and causing systemic or focal infections [1]
Several studies suggested that the presence of periodontal pathogenic microorganisms or their by-products in the intrauterine environment stimulate an foetal immune and inflammatory response that may be responsible for the increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight [7,8,9,10]
The major physiological and hormonal adjustments observed in pregnant women lead to biochemical and microbiological modifications of the oral environment [16], very few studies evaluated the changes that the oral microbiota may suffer throughout pregnancy
Summary
Oral microorganisms are capable of passing through oral mucous membranes, spreading to different body sites and causing systemic or focal infections [1]. It is known that microorganisms may reach the uterus through a haematogenous route [4,5] and that maternal microbiomes from different body sites, including oral, vaginal, gut, cervical, and even the placenta itself, may influence pregnancy outcomes [6]. The aim of our study is to evaluate oral yeast colonization throughout pregnancy and compare this colonization rate with the colonization in non-pregnant women. The major physiological and hormonal adjustments observed in pregnant women lead to biochemical and microbiological modifications of the oral environment, very few studies evaluated the changes suffered by the oral microbiota throughout pregnancy. The aim of our study was to evaluate oral yeast colonization throughout pregnancy and to compare it with non-pregnant women. Conclusions: Pregnancy may favour oral yeast growth that may be associated with an acidic oral environment
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