Abstract

SCREENING OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS IN PRETERM LABOR AND PREGNANT

*Fareeda Ali Muhi and Rajaa Mohammed Nasiri

Abstract

The polymicrobial ecosystem of the vagina complicates the determination of the microbial etiology of BV. Using cultureindependent techniques, attempts have been made to differentiate the diversity of vaginal microbiota in BV-positive and BV-negative women. Several trials discovered a decrease in the incidence of preterm labor when BV was treated, but most of those trials were performed on women with a history of preterm labor. However, the majority of trials reviewed advise against the treatment of a general low-risk obstetric population, as there was no significant decrease in preterm labor. Conclusions: Therefore, based on the above studies and the current guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), treating pregnant women in highrisk populations who are diagnosed with BV provides the clinician with an opportunity to possibly prevent preterm labor in this population. In nulliparous women without a history of preterm birth, treatment is recommended if other risk factors are present (e.g. gonorrhea or chlamydia).

Keywords: Bacterial vaginosis, preterm labor.