We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Illumina

Illumina develops, manufactures and markets integrated systems for the analysis of genetic variations and biological ... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Chromosomally Normal Miscarriage Is Associated With Vaginal Dysbiosis

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 17 Feb 2022

Emerging evidence supports an association between vaginal microbiota composition and risk of miscarriage; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. More...

We aim to investigate the vaginal microbial composition and the local immune response in chromosomally normal and abnormal miscarriages and compare this to uncomplicated pregnancies delivering at term.

Early miscarriage, pregnancy loss before 12 weeks, occurs in one in five pregnancies of which half are due to chromosomal abnormalities. Infection is implicated in 66% of late miscarriages, 12–24 weeks, but is less prevalent in early miscarriage.

Pregnancy has a unique and dynamic immunological milieu that is required to support a healthy pregnancy. Initially, a pro-inflammatory state is required for implantation which involves a release of inflammatory mediators inducing tissue injury and repair. Infection may disrupt the immunological synergy at implantation and trigger adverse outcome.

Medical Specialists at the Hammersmith Hospital Campus (London, UK) investigated the vaginal microbial composition and the local immune response in chromosomally normal and abnormal miscarriages and compare this to uncomplicated pregnancies delivering at term. Cervicovaginal fluid samples were collected from each participant from the posterior vaginal fornix. Chorionic villous material was collected at the time of surgical evacuation of the uterus and analyzed for molecular cytogenetics using quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) or bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs).

For molecular cytogenetics using QF-PCR, DNA was amplified using two multiplexes that include a total of 31 markers; assay 1 contains primers for chromosomes 13, 18, 21 and 22, and assay 2, primers for chromosomes 14, 15 and 16 and the X and Y chromosomes. Supplementary markers were used as required. PCR products were separated on an ABI 3100 capillary genetic analyzer (Thermo Fisher, Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). The KaryoLite bacterial artificial chromosomes-on-Beads (KL-BoBs) assay was performed using a prenatal chromosome aneuploidy and microdeletion detection test kit (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA).

DNA extraction was performed and bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing carried out using the Illumina MiSeq platform (Illumina Inc, San Diego, CA, USA). Cytokine analysis was performed by Human Magnetic Luminex Screening Assay (8-plex) (Luminex Corporation, Austin, TX, USA) to measure the concentration of the following analytes: IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-18 and IL-10.

The investigators showed that euploid miscarriage is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of Lactobacillus spp. deplete vaginal microbial communities compared to aneuploid miscarriage (P = 0.01). Integration of matched cervicovaginal fluid immune-profiles showed that Lactobacillus spp. depleted vaginal microbiota associated with pro-inflammatory cytokine levels most strongly in euploid miscarriage compared to viable term pregnancy (IL-1β; P < 0.001, IL-8; P = 0.01, IL-6; P < 0.001).

The authors concluded that vaginal microbiota depleted of Lactobacillus spp. combined with a heightened local inflammatory response, predispose pregnant women to euploid miscarriage. The data presented suggests that there is a group of women who would benefit from antibiotic or pre- or probiotic treatment to reduce the risk of miscarriage. The study was published on January 28, 2022 in the journal BMC Medicine.

Related Links:
Hammersmith Hospital Campus 
Thermo Fisher, Scientific
Perkin Elmer
Illumina Inc 
Luminex Corporation 


Gold Member
Serological Pipets
INTEGRA Serological Pipets
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
New
Clinical Chemistry System
P780
New
Gold Member
Immunochromatographic Assay
CRYPTO Cassette
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Mizzou researcher Jimi Cook is on a mission to find a ‘crystal ball’ to predict who will benefit most from cartilage transplant surgery (Photo courtesy of University of Missouri)

Urine Test Could Predict Outcome of Cartilage Transplant Surgery

Cartilage transplant surgery provides an alternative to artificial joint replacements by using donor tissue to restore knee function. While many patients benefit, outcomes can vary, leaving uncertainty... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Sample Stability (Photo courtesy of ALCOR Scientific)

ESR Testing Breakthrough Extends Blood Sample Stability from 4 to 28 Hours

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is one of the most widely ordered blood tests worldwide, helping clinicians detect and monitor infections, autoimmune conditions, cancers, and other diseases.... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.