Influence of Pregnancy History on the Vaginal Microbiome of Pregnant Women in their First Trimester

Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 31;7(1):10201. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-09857-z.

Abstract

Pregnancy permanently alters maternal anatomy, physiology and immunity. We evaluated if the vaginal microbiome differed between women with a first or subsequent conception. Relative abundance of bacteria in the vaginal microbiome in first trimester pregnant women, 52 with their first known conception, 26 with a prior spontaneous or induced abortion but no deliveries and 77 with at least one prior birth, was determined by classifying DNA sequences from the V1-V3 region of bacterial 16 S rRNA genes. Lactobacillus crispatus was the numerically most abundant bacterium in 76.4% of women with a first conception, 50.0% with only a prior spontaneous or scheduled abortion and 22.2% with a prior birth (p ≤ 0.01). L. iners was the most abundant bacterium in 3.8% of women with a first conception as compared to 19.2% (p = 0.03) and 20.8% (p = 0.03) in those with a prior abortion or birth, respectively. Gardnerella as the most abundant bacterial genus increased from 3.8% in women with a first conception to 15.4% and 14.3% in those with a prior abortion or birth, respectively (p > 0.05). L. iners dominance was also associated with a history of spontaneous abortion (p ≤ 0.02). The composition of the vaginal microbiome and its influence on pregnancy outcome varies with pregnancy history.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bacteria / classification*
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microbiota
  • Phylogeny
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, First*
  • Prospective Studies
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics*
  • Reproductive History
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods*
  • Vagina / microbiology*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S