Analysis of microorganisms isolated from cervical canal of pregnant women giving birth prematurely in Poland

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Purpose: Evaluation the rate of bacterial colonization of the genital tract among a large group of Polish women and the relationship between the types of bacteria from the cervical canal of pregnant women and preterm delivery. Materials and methods: 1084 pregnant women were taken swab from the cervical canal, 127 born prematurely. Bacteriological studies were performed to identify aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and fungi. Results: Colonization of birth canal with Enterobacteriacae was not associated with preterm delivery statistically. Among women giving birth prematurely high virulence bacteria were detected statistically often (p = 0.047). Enterococcus faecalis infections, which occurred significantly more frequently in pregnancies complicated preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM). Conclusions: The bacteria of low virulence, physiologically colonize the gastrointestinal tract is not an etiological factor of preterm labor and pPROM.