Specific oral pathogens linked to premature delivery.(Ubiquitous In Cord Blood)

PHOENIX, ARIZ. -- Preterm labor in women with periodontitis was associated with specific oral pathogens in a recent study, a finding that adds to the growing body of evidence linking periodontitis with premature delivery, Dr. Manuel Vallejo said.

On admission to the labor suite at Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, 53 pregnant women were assigned to one of three groups on the basis of a periodontal examination. Oral pathogens were present in 58% of those with periodontitis and a term delivery, in 60% of those with periodontitis and preterm delivery (

The only organism detected in significantly more women with periodontitis than with healthy gums was Fusobacterium nucleatum. There were no significant differences between groups in women who had Prevotella intermedia alone or a combination of both organisms, but that may have been due to the small number of patients in each group. (See box.)

These Findings suggest that F. nucleatum, alone or combined with P. intermedia, is associated with preterm labor in parturients with periodontitis, Dr. Vallejo said. Both organisms are gram-negative anaerobes commonly isolated from dental plaque and from patients with gingivitis or periodontitis. F. nucleatum can appear on its own or adhere to other organisms found on plaque.

The average age in all three groups was 30 years, and the average gestation among the women who delivered prematurely was 35.3 weeks. Gingival sulcus samples were obtained from all of the patients and were DNA tested for periodontal pathogens.

In a related study of 75 pregnant women, Dr. Vallejo and his colleagues found evidence of oral pathogens in cord blood from virtually all of the patients, regardless of ...