Insights Into Bacterial Vaginosis During Pregnancy and Its Relationship with Preterm Birth: A Comprehensive Study in Shahid Akbarabadi Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Background and Aim: Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a common condition affecting women of reproductive age, including pregnant women.It involves a disruption of the microbial balance in the vaginal environment, which can lead to undesirable outcomes such as preterm birth.This study aimed to assess the incidence of BV and its relationship with preterm delivery among pregnant women visiting Shahid Akbarabadi Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods:A cohort study was conducted between September 2022 and April 2023, involving pregnant women who underwent vaginal swab sampling for BV.Diagnosis of BV was made using Amsel's criteria.Real-time PCR was employed to detect the presence of Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, Prevotella bivia, and Lactobacillus crispatus.Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 8.4.3.Results: Out of the 55 pregnant women who participated in the study, 20 were found to be positive for BV.In our study of pregnant women, we found that the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis is 36.36%based on the Amsel criteria. Conclusion:Our results highlight significant correlations between the levels of G. vaginalis, A. vaginae, P. bivia, and L. crispatus and the clinical signs and symptoms of bacterial vaginosis in this population.However, no significant differences were observed in the levels of studied bacteria in the lower genital tract of patients who experienced preterm delivery compared to those who delivered at term.