[Cervical bacterial colonization in women with preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes].
OBJECTIVE
to study cervical colonization in women with preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes.


METHODS
two hundred and twelve pregnant women with preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes were studied. Two cervical samples from each woman were collected and bacterioscopy and culture were performed. Association of cervical microorganisms and urinary tract infection, chorioamnionitis, fetal stress, antibiotic use, prematurity, neonatal infection, and neonatal death were evaluated.


RESULTS
the prevalence of endocervical colonization was 14.2% (CI95%=9.5-18.9%), with similar results in preterm labor or premature rupture of membranes. Group B streptococcus was the most prevalent organism (9.4%). Other organisms isolated were Candida sp, Streptococcus sp, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus sp. The most common findings of bacterioscopy were a reduced number of lactobacilli and a great number of leukocytes. Endocervical colonization was associated with a higher occurrence of urinary tract infection (23.8 versus 5.4%; p<0.01), early-onset neonatal infection (25.0 versus 7.3%; p<0.01) and neonatal mortality (two cases in colonized women; p<0.02) when compared with a negative culture of endocervical mucus.


CONCLUSIONS
this study showed high prevalence of endocervical colonization despite the use of a nonselective culture media. The main microorganism isolated was group B streptococcus, but other organisms were present in one third of the studied population. More studies are needed to evaluate the influence of endocervical colonization on obstetrical outcome and on neonatal infection and mortality.
Lajos
Giuliane Jesus
GJ
Departamento de Tocoginecologia, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Passini Junior
Renato
R
Nomura
Marcelo Luís
ML
Amaral
Eliana
E
Pereira
Belmiro Gonçalves
BG
Milanez
Helaine
H
Parpinelli
Mary Angela
MA
D000328:Adult; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000382:microbiology*; D011247:Pregnancy