A prospective study of the microbiological environment of the genitourinary tract in Hong Kong Chinese women during pregnancy.
Microbiological colonization of the genitourinary tract in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm labour and delivery. In our population, the risk of preterm labour is relatively low, and the purpose of this study was to examine the microbiological environment of the genitourinary tract to determine whether it differed from that reported in populations where the rate of preterm delivery is higher. A prospective study was made in 367 unselected women between 16 and 24 weeks' gestation. Although the rate of colonization with Candida species was higher than in most other studies (30.2%), colonization with Gardnerella, Group B Streptococcus, Trichomonas and Chlamydia was uncommon (1.9%, 0.8%, 0.6% and 3.5% respectively). Significant bacteriuria was also uncommon, occurring in only 4.9% of cases. The results of this study confirmed a relatively low incidence of colonization of the genitourinary tract in this population of women with a low incidence of preterm delivery. These findings suggest that low levels of colonization may be related to a low incidence of preterm delivery in our patients.
Yim
S F
SF
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Microbiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories.
Lyon
D J
DJ
Chung
T K
TK
Haines
C J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D016975:Gardnerella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000382:microbiology*