How does bacterial vaginosis and other bacteria found in the uterus cause preterm labor?
In some women who have bacterial vaginosis who become pregnant, the organisms (the bacteria) found in the vagina move through the cervix and into the placental membranes or the amniotic fluid. When these bacteria invade this normally sterile space, they can cause the mothers immune system to respond. The result of this immunologic response is that compounds called cytokines are produced which can cause preterm labor to begin. Any micororganism which invades the placental membranes or amniotic fluid can probably cause preterm labor in the same way. 3. Do you think that GBS can cause pre-term labor in the same way that bacterial vaginosis does? Have you found GBS in the uterus? Yes. Group B Strep can definitely invade the placential membranes. We have found in our studies that women who have GBS in the placental membranes have a much higher likelihood of delivering a preterm low-birth-weight infant. The good news is that placental infection caused by GBS is relatively uncommon. Less than
