Spontaneous Preterm Birth Is Associated with Differential Expression of Vaginal Metabolites by Lactobacilli-Dominated Microflora

• DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00615
• Publication Date: 2017-08-23T03:52:39Z
• Authors: Graham P. Stafford; Jennifer L. Parker; Emmanuel Amabebe; James Kistler; Steven Reynolds; Victoria Stern; Martyn Paley; Dilly O. C. Anumba
• Keywords: Lactobacillus gasseri; Lactobacillus crispatus

A major challenge in preventing preterm birth (PTB) is identifying women at greatest risk. This pilot study prospectively examined the differences vaginal microbiota and metabolite profiles of who delivered prematurely compared to their term counterparts a cohort asymptomatic (studied 20-22, n = 80; 26-28 weeks, 41) symptomatic 24-36 37). Using 16S rRNA sequencing, from cervicovaginal fluid samples was characterised into five Community State Types (CST) dominated by Lactobacillus spp.: CSTI (L. crispatus), CSTII gasseri), CSTIII iners), CSTV jensenii); mixed anaerobes - CSTIV. then related profile pH determined 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy indicator paper respectively. At 20-22w, term-delivered (TDW) indicated proportion CSTI-dominated > 2-fold higher preterm-delivered (PTDW) (40.3 vs. 16.7%, P=0.0002), slightly 26-28w (20.7 P=0.03). PTDW TDW 20-22 (22.2 9.7%, P=0.0002) (25.0 10.3%, Furthermore, no had CSTII-dominated microbiome, contrast 28% (P<0.0001). showed lactate levels than 20-22w (P<0.01), (P<0.05), while raised succinate over (P<0.05). These were supported Principal coordinates analysis, which revealed strong clustering metabolites according CST. In addition, an average 3.8, lower those – 4.4, 4.2 Elevated associated with predominance II counterparts. suggests that L. jensenii-dominance decreased and/or could increase risk PTB, crispatus/gasseri may confer some protection against inflammation-associated PTB highlight need for further this area.