Research for mechanism of short cervix in second trimester

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K09535
• 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: University of Toyama
• Principal Investigator: Yoneda Satoshi 富山大学, 学術研究部医学系, 准教授 (30345590)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ウレアプラズマ/マイコプラズマ / 子宮頚管長短縮 / 子宮頚管無力症 / 重複感染 / 子宮内炎症 / 子宮内感染 / 子宮頚管炎 / 超早産

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Severe cervicitis (IL-8 levels in cervical mucus >803.5 ng/mL) in asymptomatic pregnant women with short cervix (<25 mm) is an independent risk factor for spontaneous preterm birth. In cervical insufficiency cases, superinfection such as Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma and bacteria is correlated with pathophysiology and progressing of cervical insufficiency.
The positivity rate for Ureaplasma/Mycoplasma in cervical mucus of normal pregnant women was approximately 19%. Due to the influence of Covid-19, cervical mucus collection was suspended for a period of time, and we have not been able to examine the presence of lactobacilli in the vagina and the correlation with IL-8 levels in cervical mucus, but we plan to do so in the future.

Free Research Field

自然早産

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

高度の炎症を惹起するウレアプラズマ/マイコプラズマと細菌の重複感染は、超早産に強く関連している可能性がある。こららの菌は、腟内細菌が主体であると考えられるため、どの時期に、どのような方法で、高度炎症を抑制できるのか明らかにされれば、超早産を予防できる戦略が考案できる。実際に超早産予防策が確立した場合、その社会的意義は極めて大きいものと思われる。