Intestinal Microbiota is Different in Women with Preterm Birth: Results from Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis

Abstract

Preterm birth is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Studies using a cultivation method or molecular identification have shown that bacterial vaginosis is one of the risk factors for preterm birth. However, an association between preterm birth and intestinal microbiota has not been reported using molecular techniques, although the vaginal microbiota changes during pregnancy. Our aim here was to clarify the difference in intestinal and vaginal microbiota between women with preterm birth and women without preterm labor. 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid genes were amplified from fecal and vaginal DNA by polymerase chain reaction. Using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP), we compared the levels of operational taxonomic units of both intestinal and vaginal flora among three groups: pregnant women who delivered term babies without preterm labor (non-PTL group) (n = 20), those who had preterm labor but delivered term babies (PTL group) (n = 11), and those who had preterm birth (PTB group) (n = 10). Significantly low levels of Clostridium subcluster XVIII, Clostridium cluster IV, Clostridium subcluster XIVa, and Bacteroides, and a significantly high level of Lactobacillales were observed in the intestinal microbiota in the PTB group compared with those in the non-PTL group. The levels of Clostridium subcluster XVIII and Clostridium subcluster XIVa in the PTB group were significantly lower than those in the PTL group, and these levels in the PTL group were significantly lower than those in non-PTL group. However, there were no significant differences in vaginal microbiota among the three groups. Intestinal microbiota in the PTB group was found to differ from that in the non-PTL group using the T-RFLP method.

Effect of probiotics on perinatal outcome in patients at high risk of preterm birth

“…On the other hand, in animal experiments, the induction of colonic T cells was specific to Clostridium ‐colonized mice and a genus of Clostridium promoted T cell accumulation . In addition, Shiozaki et al reported that lower levels of Clostridium clusters and higher levels of Lactobacillales were observed in the intestinal microbiota in preterm birth patients compared to those in term birth patients and there were no differences in vaginal microbiota between the two groups . Although we did not investigate intestinal microbiota, probiotics formulated with Streptococcus faecalis (10 mg/g), Clostridium butyricum (50 mg/g) and Bacillus mesentericus (50 mg/g) were administered .…”

“…Nearly 90% of preterm births resulting from infections are caused by ascending infection via the vagina and abnormal vaginal flora is considered an important factor leading to premature birth. However, current comprehensive bacteriological examination shows no difference in vaginal flora between term and preterm birth . Following these findings, studies in recent years have focused upon the importance of intestinal flora on preterm birth .…”

“…Sixty to 70% of immunocytes accumulate in the intestinal tract and a relationship between environmental changes in the intestinal tract and various diseases has been reported . Disturbance and abnormal numbers of microbiota in the maternal‐fetal interface have been reported in patients who have a preterm birth . These findings indicate the possibility that abnormal intestinal flora is one of the causal factors for preterm birth.…”

Intestinal microbiota: updated evidence-based data on the efficacy of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium longum in pediatric practice

“…(2014) выявлено относительное сниже-ние количества представителей кластеров Clostridium и Bacteroidetes spp. при увеличении количества представи-телей Lactobacillus в группе преждевременных родов по сравнению с группой срочных родов [13].…”

Intestinal Microbiota: Early Formation, Health Effects, and Correction Ways

“…В частности, выявлено относительное снижение количества представителей кластеров Clostridium и Bacteroidetes spp. при увели-чении количества представителей Lactobacillus в груп-пе преждевременных родов по сравнению с группой срочных родов [10]. Возможность поступления бактерий из кишечника матери к плоду подтверждена на животной модели экспериментом с пероральным введением гене-тически меченого штамма Enterococcus faecium бере-менным мышам и последующим обнаружением данного штамма в амниотической жидкости и тканях плода [11].…”