title: Association of bactericidal activity of genital tract secretions with Escherichia coli colonization in pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Genital tract secretions exhibit bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli. We hypothesized that this defense may be modulated during pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secretions were collected by vaginal swab from 70 pregnant women (35-37 weeks' gestation) and 35 nonpregnant controls. We mixed E coli with swab eluants or control buffer and colonies enumerated to measure bactericidal activity. Cytokines, chemokines, and antimicrobial peptides were quantified by multiplex or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pregnant women had significantly greater bactericidal activity, higher concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, and lower levels of beta defensins compared to controls. Seven (10%) pregnant and 8 (23%) nonpregnant women were vaginally colonized with E coli; colonization was inversely associated with bactericidal activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The soluble mucosal immune environment is altered in pregnancy. We speculate that the observed changes may protect against colonization and ascending infection and could provide a biomarker to identify pregnant women at risk for infectious complications including preterm birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jeny P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ghartey
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gialanella
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rising
authors.forename: Thomas C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: McAndrew
authors.forename: Mohak
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mhatre
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tugetman
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Einstein
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chazotte
authors.forename: Betsy C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Herold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014626:Vaginal Smears
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines