Maternal Infection and Preterm Birth: From Molecular Basis to Clinical Implications
George Daskalakis,
Alexandros Psarris,
Antonios Koutras,
Zacharias Fasoulakis,
Ioannis Prokopakis,
Antonia Varthaliti,
Christina Karasmani,
Thomas Ntounis,
Ekaterini Domali,
Marianna Theodora,
Panos Antsaklis,
Kalliopi I. Pappa,
Angeliki Papapanagiotou
Affiliations
George Daskalakis
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Alexandros Psarris
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Antonios Koutras
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Zacharias Fasoulakis
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Ioannis Prokopakis
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Antonia Varthaliti
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Christina Karasmani
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Thomas Ntounis
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Ekaterini Domali
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Marianna Theodora
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Panos Antsaklis
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Kalliopi I. Pappa
First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Alexandra’ Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
Angeliki Papapanagiotou
Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
As the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, preterm birth is recognized as a major public health concern around the world. The purpose of this review is to analyze the connection between infections and premature birth. Spontaneous preterm birth is commonly associated with intrauterine infection/inflammation. The overproduction of prostaglandins caused by the inflammation associated with an infection could lead to uterine contractions, contributing to preterm delivery. Many pathogens, particularly Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, Gardnerella vaginalis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Actinomyces, Candida spp., and Streptococcus spp. have been related with premature delivery, chorioamnionitis, and sepsis of the neonate. Further research regarding the prevention of preterm delivery is required in order to develop effective preventive methods with the aim of reducing neonatal morbidity.
