Study of the role of hydrogen peroxide production by lactobacilli in preterm labor

ABSTRACT

Background and aim of the work in healthy adult women, the normal vaginal pH is < 4.5 which is mainly maintained by lactobacilli. Some species of lactobacilli are hydrogen peroxide [H2O2] producers. Lactobacilli, principally the strains that are hydrogen peroxide producing, may have a protective effect against vaginal colonization by pathogenic species such as those that cause bacterial vaginosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the lactobacillary flora in normal pregnant women and pregnant women with preterm labor, to compare vaginal flora by smear and score by Nugent criteria on Gram stain and to assess the distribution of lactobacilli generating hydrogen peroxide in both groups and its correlation to preterm labor