The impact of vaginal microbiome composition, race, and immunological factors on preterm birth

This systematic review will summarize: the various diverse bacterial species that populate the vaginal microbiome to identify what strains of vaginal flora can contribute to preterm birth; how the composition differs among race; how those strains influence the inflammatory response that triggers preterm birth. This review revealed that preterm birth is associated with an overall increase in microbiome diversity. The composition between races also varies; African American women have a more diverse mix of bacteria with very little Lactobacillus dominance compared with Caucasian or Asian women. Further, this review uncovered a new conceptual linkage immunology, the vaginal microbiome diversity, and preterm birth. Although high levels of specific cytokines and inflammatory markers [i.e. IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α, and matrix metallo-proteases (mmPs)] are associated with infection, this review identifies, which of these factors contribute to preterm birth. Specifically, a change in microbiome composition may lead to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that contribute to preterm birth. The association between vaginal microbiome composition, race, and immunological processes must be better understood in order to recognize who may be at risk of preterm birth, and to effectively design interventions aimed at lowering preterm birth rates.
Source: Reviews in Medical Microbiology - Category: Microbiology Tags: BACTERIOLOGY Source Type: research