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Review
. 2020 Dec;47(4):503-521.
doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2020.08.001.

Vaginal Microbiome in Preterm Rupture of Membranes

Phillip Robert Bennett  1 , Richard Gailon Brown  2 , David Alan MacIntyre  3
Affiliations
Review

Vaginal Microbiome in Preterm Rupture of Membranes

Phillip Robert Bennett et al. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

There is an association between vaginal microbiota dysbiosis and preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). In PPROM, reduced Lactobacillus spp abundance is linked to the emergence of high-risk vaginal microbiota, close to the time of membrane rupture. Although PPROM itself can change vaginal microbial composition, antibiotic therapy profoundly effects community structure. Erythromycin may have a beneficial effect in women deplete in Lactobacillus spp but damages a healthy microbiome by targeting Lactobacillus spp. Increased rates of chorioamnionitis and early-onset neonatal sepsis are associated with vaginal microbiota dysbiosis close to the time of delivery.

Keywords: Inflammation; Membranes; PPROM; Preterm birth; Vaginal microbiome.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure P.R. Bennett and D.A. MacIntyre are named inventors on patents held by Imperial College relating to biomarker discovery in preterm birth. P.R. Bennett has been a paid or unpaid consultant to Samsung, GSK, ObsEva in relation to commercial preterm birth research.

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