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. 2023 Sep 1;28(5):e450-e456.
doi: 10.4317/medoral.25874.

Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella in women with periodontitis and preterm birth

K-M Lima  1 , C-M Alves, F-C Vidal, I-S Gomes-Filho, J-C Costa, R-D Coletta, V-P Rodrigues, F-F Lopes
Affiliations

Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella in women with periodontitis and preterm birth

K-M Lima et al. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. .

Abstract

Background: Studies try to explain the hypothesis that maternal periodontitis may be associated with preterm birth.

Material and methods: This is a case-control study with 120, 40 cases (gestational age <37 weeks) and 80 controls (gestational age ≥37 weeks), that were submitted to the clinical periodontal examination and subgingival biofilm collection. Bacterial DNA of subgingival biofilm was performed and processed by qPCR.

Results: Periodontitis was statistically significant in the Case group (35%) when compared to the Control group (11.2%) and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), sites with PS ≥ 4mm and sites with CAL ≥ 5mm were statistically higher in the Case group (p < 0.05). The proportions of Pi (p = 0.026) and Fn (p = 0.041) of subgingival biofilm were higher in the Case group. A greater number of sites with PS ≥ 4mm (r = -0.202; p = 0.026) and CAL ≥ 5mm (r = -0.322; p < 0.001) were correlated to lower gestational age.

Conclusions: Periodontitis, preterm delivery, and/or low birth weight may have a possible relationship based on clinical parameters and the ratio of Pi and Fn at periodontal sites.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparative analysis of the amount and proportion in the biofilm of the pathogens Prevotella intermedia (a and b) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (c and d).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pearson correlation analysis between gestational age (in weeks), pathogens and periodontal variables.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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