Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Genital infection may be linked to miscarriage

Genital infection may be linked to miscarriage

December 04, 2002

The genital infection, bacterial vaginosis, may be linked to miscarriage during the second trimester of pregnancy (13-15 weeks), concludes a study in this week’s BMJ.

Researchers at St George’s Hospital Medical School identified 1,216 pregnant women attending 32 general practices and five family planning clinics in London who were less than 10 weeks into their pregnancy.




Women were asked to provide a self administered vaginal swab and to complete a questionnaire at 16 weeks. The questionnaire asked about personal characteristics, medical history, and pregnancy outcome.

Overall, 121 women miscarried before 16 weeks and 174 had bacterial vaginosis. Those who were positive for bacterial vaginosis had a higher risk of miscarriage at 13-15 weeks compared with women who were negative for the infection.

Although bacterial vaginosis is not a strong predictor of early miscarriage, it is associated with miscarriage in the second trimester at 13-15 weeks, say the authors. The presence of chlamydial infection was too low for it to be a major risk factor for miscarriage.

The study also shows that screening for genital infections using self administered vaginal swabs is feasible in pregnant women in the community. This might be important for prevention of adverse outcomes related to infection later in pregnancy, they conclude.

British Medical Journal (BMJ)



Related Bacteria Current Events and Bacteria News Articles Bacteria Current Events and Bacteria News RSS Bacteria Current Events and Bacteria News RSS
Metabolic reactions: Less is more in single-celled organisms
A Northwestern University study has found a surprising similarity among four quite different organisms. The simplest organism, a bacterium called H. pylori, uses the same number of biochemical reactions (around 300) as yeast, the largest, most complex organism of the group, when optimizing growth.

'Zinc Zipper' Plays Key Role In Hospital-Acquired Infections
Hospital-acquired infections that are resistant to traditional antibiotic treatment have become increasingly common in recent years, confounding health care professionals and killing thousands of Americans.

Novel bioreactor enhances interleukin-12 production in genetically-modified tobacco plants
Interleukin-12 is a naturally occurring protein essential for the proper functioning of the human immune system.

Researchers identify cell group key to Lyme disease arthritis
A research team led by the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology and Albany Medical College has illuminated the important role of natural killer (NK) T cells in Lyme disease, demonstrating that the once little understood white blood cells are central to clearing the bacterial infection and reducing the intensity and duration of arthritis associated with Lyme disease.

Blood tests can help detect presence of necrotizing soft tissue infections
With less than half of patients with necrotizing soft tissue infections displaying the physical signs of these very serious infections, researchers have found two simple blood tests can help physicians diagnose what is commonly known as "flesh-eating bacteria," according to a study in the December issue of The American Journal of Surgery.

Vaccine and drug research aimed at ticks and mosquitoes to prevent disease transmission
Most successful vaccines and drugs rely on protecting humans or animals by blocking certain bacteria from growing in their systems. But, a new theory actually hopes to take stopping infectious diseases such as West Nile virus and Malaria to the next level by disabling insects from transmitting these viruses.

Research in twins defines shared features of the human gut microbial communities: variations linked to obesity
Trillions of microbes make their home in the gut, where they help to break down and extract energy and nutrients from the food we eat. Yet, scientists have understood little about how this distinctive mix of microbes varies from one individual to the next.

Rivers are carbon processors, not inert pipelines
Microorganisms in rivers and streams play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle that has not previously been considered.

Vitamin D found to fight placental infection
In a paper available at the online site of the journal Biology of Reproduction, a team of UCLA researchers reports for the first time that vitamin D induces immune responses in placental tissues by stimulating production of the antimicrobial protein cathelicidin.

CSHL scientists discover a new way in which epigenetic information is inherited
Hereditary information flows from parents to offspring not just through DNA but also through the millions of proteins and other molecules that cling to it.
More Bacteria Current Events and Bacteria News Articles


A Field Guide to Bacteria (Comstock Book)
by Betsey Dexter Dyer

Pocket-guide to observing bacteria without a laboratory or fancy equipment. Presents all the major taxonomic groups of bacteria in a useable, accessible format for amateur naturalists who may or may not have access to a microscope. Includes ideas for planning field trips to explore bacteria in their natural environments. Illustrated, some color. Softcover, hardcover...



The Killers Within: The Deadly Rise of Drug-Resistant Bacteria
by Michael Shnayerson, Mark J. Plotkin

A battle is taking place on the frontiers of medicine between rapidly evolving bacteria that threaten our health and the doctors who are struggling to outwit them. These bacteria are everywhere: in and on our bodies, in homes, schools, hospitals, crowded airplaines, day-care centers. And, as THE KILLERS WITHIN makes frighteningly clear, so far the bacteria are...



Bacteria for Breakfast: Probiotics for Good Health
by Kelly Dowhower Karpa, PhD, RPh

Although in Western society the beneficial aspects of bacteria have been increasingly minimized, we actually need bacteria in our digestive tracts for good health. This resource explains, to laymen and physicians, how probiotics support immune function, prevent urogenital infections, and maintain good gastrintestinal...



Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (Snyder, Molecular Genetics of Bacteria)
by Larry Snyder, Wendy Champness

This landmark volume provides the single most comprehensive and authoritative textbook on bacterial molecular genetics. Perfect for advanced undergraduate and graduate-level courses, the text presents the latest research on the subject in a clearly written and well-illustrated style. It provides descriptive background information, detailed experimental methods, examples of genetic analyses, and...



Prentice Hall Science Explorer: From Bacteria to Plants
by Michael J. Padilla, Ioannis Miaoulis, Martha Cyr



Science Explorer from Bacteria to Plants (Prentice Hall science explorer)



Respiration in Archaea and Bacteria: Diversity of Prokaryotic Respiratory Systems (Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration)

The book summarizes the achievements of the past decade in the biochemistry, bioenergetics, structural and molecular biology of respiratory processes in selected genera of the domain Bacteria along with an extensive coverage of the redox chains of extremophiles belonging to the Archaean domain. The volume is a unique piece of work since it contains a series of chapters dealing with metabolic...



The Five-Second Rule and Other Myths About Germs: What Everyone Should Know About Bacteria, Viruses, Mold, and Mildew
by Anne E. Maczulak



Why Size Matters: From Bacteria to Blue Whales
by John Tyler Bonner

John Tyler Bonner, one of our most distinguished and creative biologists, here offers a completely new perspective on the role of size in biology. In his hallmark friendly style, he explores the universal impact of being the right size. By examining stories ranging from Alice in Wonderland to Gulliver's Travels, he shows that humans have always been fascinated by things big and small. Why then...



Herbal Antibiotics: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-Resistant Bacteria (Storey Medicinal Herb Guide)
by Stephen Harrod Buhner

Current information about antibiotic resistant microbes and the herbs that are effective in fighting...

© 2008 BrightSurf.com