Value of endocervical ureaplasma species colonization as a marker of preterm delivery.
OBJECTIVE
To study the predictive value for preterm delivery of colonization of the cervix and vagina by ureaplasmas and other potentially pathogenic microorganisms.


METHODS
Prospective analysis of a study group of 200 pregnant women with preterm labor and intact membranes, and a control group of 50 pregnant women. The subjects in both groups were between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. Ureaplasma spp. and Mycoplasma hominis endocervical cultures were performed for both groups.


RESULTS
In the study group, 70 of the women delivered preterm, and all women in the control group carried their pregnancies to full term. Cervical cultures for Ureaplasma spp. were positive in 119 women, and were isolated more frequently in the study group (51.5%) than in the control group (32%), and more frequently in subjects in the study group who delivered preterm (65%) than in those who had a full-term delivery (45%), differences that were statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Detection of Ureaplasma spp. in the endocervix has a statistically significant relationship to preterm labor (p = 0.03) and preterm delivery (p = 0.02) in pregnant women with preterm labor and intact membranes.
González Bosquet
Eduardo
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Déu, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2, Esplugues de Llobregat, ES-08950 Barcelona, Spain. edugonzalez@hsjdbcn.org
Gené
Amadeu
A
Ferrer
Imma
I
Borrás
Miquel
M
Lailla
Josep M
JM
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014509:Ureaplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016869:Ureaplasma Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology