The microbial load with genital mycoplasmas correlates with the degree of histologic chorioamnionitis in preterm PROM.

Abstract

We sought to determine whether there is an association between bacterial load of genital mycoplasmas and histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA) in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). A total of 103 women with PPROM between 24-36 weeks of gestation were included in the study. Amniocenteses were performed, and the amounts of target genital mycoplasma DNA in amniotic fluid samples were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The bacterial load of the genital mycoplasmas was relatively assessed using the threshold cycle value. The presence of genital mycoplasmas in amniotic fluid was found in 38% (39/103) of the women. The presence of HCA was associated with lower threshold cycle values (median 21.3, interquartile range, 16.5-28.5, vs median 29.4, interquartile range, 27.0-30.5; P = .005). HCA in PPROM is associated with a higher bacterial load of genital mycoplasmas.