Gardnerella vaginalis infection in pregnancy: Effects on placental development and neonatal outcomes

Gardnerella vaginalis (GV)-associated bacterial vaginosis is recognised for its detrimental effects on pregnancy resulting in poor obstetric and neonatal outcomes. There is limited knowledge of the effects on placental histomorphology following GV infection in pregnancy. We investigated the effects...

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Published in:Placenta (Eastbourne) 2022-03, Vol.120, p.79-87
Main Authors: Wong, Yin Ping, Cheah, Fook Choe, Wong, Kon Ken, Shah, Shamsul Azhar, Phon, Su Ee, Ng, Beng Kwang, Lim, Pei Shan, Khong, Teck Yee, Tan, Geok Chin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Angiogenesis
Endothelial Cells - metabolism
Female
Gardnerella vaginalis
Gardnerella vaginalis - metabolism
Humans
Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha
Infant, Newborn
Placenta
Placenta - metabolism
Placentation
Pregnancy
Prospective Studies
Syncytial nuclear aggregates
Vaginosis, Bacterial - metabolism
Vaginosis, Bacterial - pathology
Vascular endothelial growth factor
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism
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Summary:Gardnerella vaginalis (GV)-associated bacterial vaginosis is recognised for its detrimental effects on pregnancy resulting in poor obstetric and neonatal outcomes. There is limited knowledge of the effects on placental histomorphology following GV infection in pregnancy. We investigated the effects of GV infection on the placenta, particularly with regards to the syncytiotrophoblasts and vascular development, and related these to neonatal outcomes. A prospective cohort study involving GV-positive pregnant women presented with abnormal vaginal discharge, with gestational age-matched healthy pregnant women controls. Placental sampling was performed upon delivery and examined histologically. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) mRNA and protein expression were analysed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively. The standard measures in neonatal outcomes were recorded. Placentas from GV-positive mothers were found to have significant histological evidence of maternal and/or fetal inflammatory response compared with the controls (17/28: 60.7% vs 2/20: 10%) (p = 0.0011). There was an increase in the percentage of syncytial nuclear aggregates (SNAs) per villus (47.4 ± 11.09%) in placentas from GV-positive mothers (p 
ISSN:0143-4004
1532-3102
DOI:10.1016/j.placenta.2022.02.018