Effects of the sampling time on the vaginal microbiota in healthy pregnant women: a prospective observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Studies using 16S rRNA gene sequencing have extensively examined the vaginal microbiota changes of pregnant women. However, no study has examined these changes considering the time of day at which vaginal fluid samples were collected from near-term pregnant women.

Objective

To describe the vaginal microbiota of Japanese near-term pregnant women with normal pregnancy outcomes and potential vaginal microbiota changes from wake-up to bedtime.

Study design

In this prospective observational study, vaginal swab specimens were obtained from healthy near-term pregnant women twice on the same day, after waking up and before bedtime. All specimens were examined for total bacterial cell count per gram of vaginal fluid, Nugent score, pH, and vaginal microbiota analysis

SUBMITTER: Mori H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11925174 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature