The immune system and microbiome in pregnancy

Abstract

Hormonal changes during pregnancy instigate numerous physiological changes aimed at the growth and delivery of a healthy baby. A careful balance between immunological tolerance against fetal antigens and immunity against infectious agents needs to be maintained. A three-way interaction between pregnancy hormones, the immune system and our microbiota is now emerging. Recent evidence suggests that microbial alterations seen during pregnancy may help maintain homeostasis and aid the required physiological changes occurring in pregnancy. However, these same immunological and microbial alterations may also make women more vulnerable during pregnancy and the post-partum period, especially regarding immunological and infectious diseases. Thus, a further understanding of the hostmicrobial interactions taking place during pregnancy may improve identification of populations at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Detection of Vaginal Metabolite Changes in Premature Rupture of Membrane Patients in Third Trimester Pregnancy: a Prospective Cohort Study

“…The asymptomatic vaginitis during pregnancy is caused by several factors, such as hormone change [33] and immunological tolerance against fetal antigens [34]. The clinical characteristics of the two groups in our study matched well, therefore, other factors that may disturb the cohort study outcomes, such as age, GA, and medical treatment received, were largely excluded.…”

<i>Salmonella</i> osteomyelitis of the distal radius in a healthy pregnant woman

“…Within the area of high signal intensity, an elliptical line of low signal intensity was observed. Inside this ellipse, a rim of high signal intensity was noted; this rim also had high signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging, consistent with the "penumbra sign", characteristic of subacute osteomyelitis (Grey et al, 1998). The presence of a fluid collection in the soft tissue anterior to the distal radius, with low signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging and high signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging, suggested an abscess ( Fig.…”

“…Immunologic changes occur during pregnancy to achieve a careful balance between tolerance of fetal antigens and con-tinued immunity against infectious agents (Fuhler, 2020). However, pregnant women are reportedly 17 times more likely to be affected by the foodborne Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause premature delivery, miscarriage, and stillbirth (Pohl et al, 2019).…”

“…A transitional zone with relatively high signal intensity was noted on T1-weighted imaging, located between the abscess and the sclerotic bone marrow. This sign, called the "penumbra sign" (Grey et al, 1998), is characteristic of subacute osteomyelitis and suggests infection rather than neoplasm. Biopsy was useful for ruling out a neoplastic lesion.…”

The effect of intestinal microbiota on pregnancy and baby's health

“…The adult human body hosts over 10 13 bacteria, in what is generally a mutually beneficial symbiosis [2]. Most of these microbes reside in the gastrointestinal tract, where they are recognized as a vital part of the human metaorganism.…”