Diversity and composition of vaginal microbiota of pregnant women at risk for transmitting Group B Streptococcus treated with intrapartum penicillin.
BACKGROUND
Administering intravenous antibiotics during labor to women at risk for transmitting Group B Streptococcus (GBS) can prevent infections in newborns. However, the impact of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis on mothers' microbial community composition is largely unknown. We compared vaginal microbial composition in pregnant women experiencing preterm birth at ≤ 32 weeks gestation that received intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis with that in controls.


METHODS
Microbiota in vaginal swabs collected shortly before delivery from GBS positive women that received penicillin intravenously during labor or after premature rupture of membranes was compared to controls. Microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing using the PGM Ion Torrent to determine the effects of penicillin use during hospitalization and GBS status on its composition.


RESULTS
Penicillin administration was associated with an altered vaginal microbial community composition characterized by increased microbial diversity. Lactobacillus sp. contributed only 13.1% of the total community in the women that received penicillin compared to 88.1% in the controls. Streptococcus sp. were present in higher abundance in GBS positive woman compared to controls, with 60% of the total vaginal microbiota in severe cases identified as Streptococcus sp.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaginal communities of healthy pregnant women were dominated by Lactobacillus sp. and contained low diversity, while Group B Streptococcus positive women receiving intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis had a modified vaginal microbiota composition with low abundance of Lactobacillus but higher microbial diversity.
Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia - CIP-Biotec, Campus São Gabriel, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Luiz Fernando Wurdig
LF
Roesch
Unidade de Neonatologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Rita C
RC
Silveira
Unidade de Neonatologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Andréa L
AL
Corso
Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia - CIP-Biotec, Campus São Gabriel, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Priscila Thiago
PT
Dobbler
Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America.
Volker
V
Mai
Unidade de Neonatologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Bruna S
BS
Rojas
Centro Interdisciplinar de Pesquisas em Biotecnologia - CIP-Biotec, Campus São Gabriel, Universidade Federal do Pampa, São Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Álvaro M
ÁM
Laureano
Unidade de Neonatologia do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Renato S
RS
Procianoy
D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D058491:Bacterial Load; D044822:Biodiversity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*
D010406:Penicillins; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S