THE ROLE OF UREAPLASMA-UREALYTICUM IN ADVERSE PREGNANCY OUTCOME

We investigated Ureaplasma urealyticum genital tract colonization rate s in an Australian population to determine whether colonization was as sociated with adverse pregnancy outcome. Women attending an antenatal clinic were evaluated for lower genital tract colonization at their fi rst antenatal visit (162 women) and at 28 weeks' gestation (120 women) . Placentas from 92 women were cultured. U urealyticum was the predomi nant isolate from the lower (57.4%) and upper (17.4%) genital tract in this population of pregnant women. U. urealyticum was a persistent co lonizer during mid-trimester of pregnancy (in 88% of women colonized) whereas M. hominis, G. vaginalis, and Group B streptococcus were prese nt as transient flora of the lower genital tract. Lower genital tract colonization during pregnancy was not directly associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. However preterm delivery in afebrile, asymptomatic women, could possibly be associated with chorioamnionitis (4 of 16 pr eterm births). Screening of women with a history of preterm birth may prevent upper genital tract infections and preterm delivery.