Open AccessIntra-Amniotic Infection with Ureaplasma parvum Causes Preterm Birth and Neonatal Mortality That Are Prevented by Treatment with Clarithromycin
Author(s) -
Kenichiro Motomura,
Roberto Romero,
Yi Xu,
Kevin R. Theis,
José Galaz,
Andrew D. Winters,
Rebecca Slutsky,
Valeria GarciaFlores,
Chengrui Zou,
Dustyn Levenson,
Robert Para,
Madison M. Ahmad,
Derek Miller,
ChaurDong Hsu,
Nardhy Gómez-López
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
mbio
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.562
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 2161-2129
pISSN - 2150-7511
DOI - 10.1128/mbio.00797-20
Subject(s) - ureaplasma , ureaplasma urealyticum , clarithromycin , medicine , pregnancy , neonatal infection , obstetrics , amniotic fluid , fetus , immunology , mycoplasma , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , helicobacter pylori
Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Multiple etiologies are associated with preterm birth; however, 25% of preterm infants are born to a mother with intra-amniotic infection, most commonly due to invasion of the amniotic cavity by Ureaplasma species. Much research has focused on establishing a link between Ureaplasma species and adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes; however, little is known about the taxonomy of and host response against Ureaplasma species. Here, we applied a multifaceted approach, including human samples, in vivo models, and in vitro manipulations, to study the maternal-fetal immunobiology of Ureaplasma infection during pregnancy. Furthermore, we investigated the use of clarithromycin as a treatment for this infection. Our research provides translational knowledge that bolsters scientific understanding of Ureaplasma species as a cause of adverse pregnancy/neonatal outcomes and gives strong evidence for the use of clarithromycin as the recommended treatment for women intra-amniotically infected with Ureaplasma species.