Comprehensive analysis of amniotic fluid microbiota for the prevention of preterm delivery: a fundamental study

• Project/Area Number: 18K09306
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56040:Obstetrics and gynecology-related
• Research Institution: Kurume University
• Principal Investigator: Yoshizato Toshiyuki 久留米大学, 医学部, 教授 (80264034)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2022)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,420,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,020,000); Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2019: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000); Fiscal Year 2018: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000)
• Keywords: 腟細菌叢 / 網羅的解析 / 妊娠 / 次世代シークエンサー / 正常妊婦 / 腟分泌物 / 菌叢解析 / 菌叢 / 早産 / 細菌叢 / 網羅的遺伝子解析 / 羊水

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The vaginal microbiota during pregnancy, specifically the predominance of specific Lactobacillus species and the decrease in overall diversity, contribute to the maintenance of a healthy pregnancy. Conversely, a decrease in Lactobacillus quantity and an increase in microbiota diversity are indicative of bacterial vaginosis, which can be associated with factors such as a history of uterine surgeries and various known factors, including smoking.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の成果は、早産に至る妊婦の腟細菌叢を妊娠初期に解析することより、その発症の予測および予防のための戦略を立てる上での基礎的データを提供するものと考えられる。

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Gestational age-related changes in shear wave speed of the uterine cervix in normal pregnancy at 12-35 weeks' gestation (2019)
  • Author(s): Horinouchi T, Yoshizato T, Muto M, Fujii M, Kozuma Y, Shinagawa T, Morokuma S, kakuma T, Ushijima K
  • Journal Title: Journal of Perinatal Medicine Volume: 47(4) Issue: 4 Pages: 393-401
  • DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2018-0250
  • Peer Reviewed / Open Access
• [Presentation] Vaginal microbiome of normal Japanese pregnant women at second and third trimester (2022)
  • Author(s): Masato Yokomine, Toshiyuki Yoshizato, et al.
  • Organizer: 日本産科婦人科学会学術集会
• [Presentation] Vaginal microbiome of normal Japanese pregnant women at second and third trimester (2021)
  • Author(s): Yokomine M, Yoshizato T, Horinouchi T, Ushijima K
  • Organizer: 日本産科婦人科学会