Mucinase and sialidase activity of the vaginal microflora: implications for the pathogenesis of preterm labour

Evidence linking bacterial vaginosis (BV) to chorioamnionitis and spontaneo us preterm birth is mounting. Successful treatment of BV could reduce the r ate of late miscarriage and preterm birth. Mucinase and sialidase activity have been implicated in the pathogenesis of BV. This study extends the work of previous studies to investigate sialidase, other known mucin degrading enzymes and overall mucin degrading activity in samples of vaginal fluid fr om women with and without BV. Samples from 31 women were diagnosed for BV, and tested for enzyme activity using established assays. Activity was recorded in all samples. Significan t increases in activity were detected in BV samples for sialidase using a m ucin (BSM P<0.005) and serum type glycoprotein (AGP P<0.005) substrates, be ta-galactosidase (P<0.001), and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase (P<0.01). No si gnificant increases in BV patients were detected in O-glycanase, proteinase , arylesterase, sulphatase or whole mucinase activities. These results supp ort the hypothesis that certain BV-associated enzymes may detrimentally aff ect the mucosal barrier, permitting bacteria access to the uterus.