The interrelation between microbial immunoglobulin coating, vaginal microbiota, ethnicity and preterm birth

Vaginal microbiota composition is associated with spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB), depending on ethnicity. Host-microbiota interactions are thought to play an important underlying role in this association between ethnicity, vaginal microbiota and sPTB. In a prospective cohort of nulliparous pregnant women, we assessed vaginal microbiota composition, vaginal immunoglobulins, and local inflammatory markers. We performed a nested case-control study with 19 sPTB cases, matched based on ethnicity and midwifery practice to 19 term controls.