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McDougall A, Nguyen R, Nguyen PY, Allen C, Cheang S, Makama M, Mills K, Hastie R, Ammerdorffer A, Gulmezoglu AM, Vogel JP. The effects of probiotics administration during pregnancy on preeclampsia and associated maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2024; 6:101322. [PMID: 38447676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to synthesize the available evidence on probiotic administration during pregnancy for the prevention of preeclampsia and its effects on related maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes. DATA SOURCES Six databases were systematically searched for eligible studies, namely Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, Global Index Medicus, and the Maternity and Infant Care Database, from inception to August 2, 2023. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of probiotic administration on women during any stage of pregnancy were eligible for inclusion. METHODS The protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews under identifier CRD42023421613. Evaluating study eligibility, extracting data, assessing risk of bias (ROB-2 tool), and rating certainty (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations) were conducted independently by 2 authors. The primary outcomes were incidence of preeclampsia, eclampsia, and maternal mortality. A meta-analysis was performed, and the results were reported as risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS A total of 29 trials (7735 pregnant women) met the eligibility criteria. There was heterogeneity across the trials in the population of enrolled women and the type of probiotic tested (20 different strains), although most used oral administration. Probiotics may make no difference to the risk of preeclampsia (risk ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.53; 11 trials; 2401 women; low certainty evidence), preterm birth at <37 weeks' gestation (risk ratio, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-1.30; 18 trials, 4016 women; low certainty evidence), or gestational age at delivery (mean difference, -0.03 weeks [≈0.2 days]; 95% confidence interval, -0.16 to 0.10 weeks [≈ -1.1 to 0.7 days]; 13 trials, 2194 women; low certainty evidence). It is difficult to assess the effects of probiotics on other secondary outcomes because the evidence was of very low certainty, however, no benefits or harms were observed. CONCLUSION Limited evidence suggests that probiotic supplementation does not affect the risk for preeclampsia. Further high-quality trials are needed to definitively assess the benefits and possible harms of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy. There is also a lack of data from trials that included women who were undernourished or who experienced microbial dysbiosis and for whom probiotic supplementation might be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie McDougall
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel); Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Australia (Dr McDougall).
| | - Renae Nguyen
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel)
| | - Phi-Yen Nguyen
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel)
| | - Connor Allen
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel)
| | - Sarah Cheang
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel)
| | - Maureen Makama
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel); School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (Dr Makama and Prof Vogel)
| | - Kate Mills
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel)
| | - Roxanne Hastie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia (Dr Hastie)
| | - Anne Ammerdorffer
- Concept Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland (Dr Ammerdorffer and Dr Gulmezoglu)
| | - A Metin Gulmezoglu
- Concept Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland (Dr Ammerdorffer and Dr Gulmezoglu)
| | - Joshua P Vogel
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia (Dr McDougall, Ms R Nguyen, Ms P Nguyen; Mr Allen, Ms Cheang, Dr Makama, Ms Mills, and Prof Vogel); School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia (Dr Makama and Prof Vogel)
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Kasai Y, Komatsu M, Toyama Y, Nakano S, Hisata K, Yamada M, Shimizu T. Effect of probiotics on mother-to-neonate vertical transmission of group B streptococci: A prospective open-label randomized study. Pediatr Neonatol 2024; 65:145-151. [PMID: 37684161 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2023.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Group B Streptococci (GBS) are common vaginal bacteria found in 20-30% of pregnant women and a significant cause of invasive infections in newborns. Recently, attention has been focused on the efficacy of probiotics during the perinatal period. However, the effect of probiotic intake on the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of GBS remains unknown. METHODS Pregnant women with positive GBS results from vaginal and rectal swab cultures at 35-37 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to the probiotic group or the control group in an open-label manner at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San-ikukai Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. The probiotic group received Lactobacillus reuteri during antenatal checkups from 35 to 37-week gestation to 1 month after delivery. Rectal swabs were obtained from the newborns at 5 days and at 1 month of age. Whole-genome sequencing was performed to test for GBS strains in the mother, whose newborn carried GBS at the 1-month checkup. Multi-locus sequence typing and single nucleotide polymorphism analyses were performed to identify MTCT. RESULTS Overall, 67 mother-infant pairs were included, with 31 in the probiotic group and 36 in the control group. The positivity rate of GBS in newborns at 1 month of age was 10% (n = 3) in the probiotic group and 28% (n = 10) in the control group. In newborns carrying GBS at 1 month of age, genetic analysis revealed that the MTCT rate was 6% in the probiotic group and 22% in the control group, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.0927). CONCLUSION No statistically significant difference was found; however, the consumption of L. reuteri by women with GBS-positive pregnancies may inhibit the MTCT of GBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriha Kasai
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8431, Japan
| | - Mitsutaka Komatsu
- Department of Pediatrics, San-Ikukai Hospital, 3-20-2 Taihei, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, 130-0012, Japan.
| | - Yudai Toyama
- Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University Nerima Hospital, 3-1-10 Takanodai, Nerima-ku, Tokyo, 177-8521, Japan
| | - Saki Nakano
- Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Rinkai Hospital, 1-4-2 Rinkai-cho, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, 134-0086, Japan
| | - Ken Hisata
- Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8431, Japan
| | - Mie Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San-Ikukai Hospital, 3-20-2 Taihei, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, 130-0012, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Shimizu
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8431, Japan
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Poulios E, Pavlidou E, Papadopoulou SK, Rempetsioti K, Migdanis A, Mentzelou M, Chatzidimitriou M, Migdanis I, Androutsos O, Giaginis C. Probiotics Supplementation during Pregnancy: Can They Exert Potential Beneficial Effects against Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes beyond Gestational Diabetes Mellitus? BIOLOGY 2024; 13:158. [PMID: 38534428 DOI: 10.3390/biology13030158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Probiotics, as supplements or food ingredients, are considered to exert promising healthy effects when administered in adequate quantity. Probiotics' healthy effects are related with the prevention of many diseases, as well as decreasing symptom severity. Currently, the most available data concerning their potential health effects are associated with metabolic disorders, including gestational diabetes mellitus. There is also clinical evidence supporting that they may exert beneficial effects against diverse adverse pregnancy outcomes. The purpose of the current narrative study is to extensively review and analyze the current existing clinical studies concerning the probable positive impacts of probiotics supplementation during pregnancy as a protective agent against adverse pregnancy outcomes beyond gestational diabetes mellitus. METHODS a comprehensive and thorough literature search was conducted in the most precise scientific databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences, utilizing efficient, representative, and appropriate keywords. RESULTS in the last few years, recent research has been conducted concerning the potential beneficial effects against several adverse pregnancy outcomes such as lipid metabolism dysregulation, gestational hypertensive disorders, preterm birth, excessive gestational weight gain, caesarean risk section, vaginal microbiota impairment, mental health disturbances, and others. CONCLUSION up to the present day, there is only preliminary clinical data and not conclusive results for probiotics' healthy effects during pregnancy, and it remains questionable whether they could be used as supplementary treatment against adverse pregnancy outcomes beyond gestational diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efthymios Poulios
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece
| | - Eleni Pavlidou
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece
| | - Sousana K Papadopoulou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Rempetsioti
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece
| | - Athanasios Migdanis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42132 Trikala, Greece
| | - Maria Mentzelou
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece
| | - Maria Chatzidimitriou
- Department of Biomedical Science, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Migdanis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42132 Trikala, Greece
| | - Odysseas Androutsos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, 42132 Trikala, Greece
| | - Constantinos Giaginis
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, 81400 Lemnos, Greece
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Mejia ME, Robertson CM, Patras KA. Interspecies Interactions within the Host: the Social Network of Group B Streptococcus. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0044022. [PMID: 36975791 PMCID: PMC10112235 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00440-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a pervasive neonatal pathogen accounting for a combined half a million deaths and stillbirths annually. The most common source of fetal or neonatal GBS exposure is the maternal microbiota. GBS asymptomatically colonizes the gastrointestinal and vaginal mucosa of 1 in 5 individuals globally, although its precise role in these niches is not well understood. To prevent vertical transmission, broad-spectrum antibiotics are administered to GBS-positive mothers during labor in many countries. Although antibiotics have significantly reduced GBS early-onset neonatal disease, there are several unintended consequences, including an altered neonatal microbiota and increased risk for other microbial infections. Additionally, the incidence of late-onset GBS neonatal disease remains unaffected and has sparked an emerging hypothesis that GBS-microbe interactions in developing neonatal gut microbiota may be directly involved in this disease process. This review summarizes our current understanding of GBS interactions with other resident microbes at the mucosal surface from multiple angles, including clinical association studies, agriculture and aquaculture observations, and experimental animal model systems. We also include a comprehensive review of in vitro findings of GBS interactions with other bacterial and fungal microbes, both commensal and pathogenic, along with newly established animal models of GBS vaginal colonization and in utero or neonatal infection. Finally, we provide a perspective on emerging areas of research and current strategies to design microbe-targeting prebiotic or probiotic therapeutic intervention strategies to prevent GBS disease in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlyd E. Mejia
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Clare M. Robertson
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kathryn A. Patras
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Delara M, Vadlamudi NK, Sadarangani M. Strategies to Prevent Early and Late-Onset Group B Streptococcal Infection via Interventions in Pregnancy. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020229. [PMID: 36839501 PMCID: PMC9959229 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Group B Streptococcus is a Gram-positive bacterium that typically colonizes 10-30% of pregnant women, causing chorioamnionitis, preterm birth, and stillbirth, as well as neonatal sepsis and meningitis with early-onset disease (EOD) or late-onset disease (LOD) due to ascending infection or transmission during delivery. While there are some differences between EOD and LOD in terms of route of transmission, risk factors, and serotypes, the only preventive approach currently is maternal intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) which will not be able to fully address the burden of the disease since this has no impact on LOD. Probiotics and immunization in pregnancy may be more effective than IAP for both EOD and LOD. There is mixed evidence of probiotic effects on the prevention of GBS colonization, and the data from completed and ongoing clinical trials investigating different GBS vaccines are promising. Current vaccine candidates target bacterial proteins or the polysaccharide capsule and include trivalent, tetravalent, and hexavalent protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines. Some challenges in developing novel GBS vaccines include the lack of a correlate of protection, the potential for serotype switching, a need to understand interactions with other vaccines, and optimal timing of administration in pregnancy to maximize protection for both term and preterm infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahin Delara
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 0B3, Canada
- Correspondence: (M.D.); (M.S.)
| | - Nirma Khatri Vadlamudi
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 0B3, Canada
| | - Manish Sadarangani
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 0B3, Canada
- Correspondence: (M.D.); (M.S.)
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Hanson L, VandeVusse L, Forgie M, Malloy E, Singh M, Scherer M, Kleber D, Dixon J, Hryckowian AJ, Safdar N. A randomized controlled trial of an oral probiotic to reduce antepartum group B Streptococcus colonization and gastrointestinal symptoms. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2023; 5:100748. [PMID: 36108911 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Probiotics have been suggested as a strategy to reduce antenatal group B Streptococcus colonization. Although probiotics are known to improve gastrointestinal symptoms, this has not been studied during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a probiotic to reduce: (1) standard-of-care antenatal group B Streptococcus colonization and colony counts and (2) gastrointestinal symptoms of pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN In a double-blind fashion, 109 healthy adult pregnant people were randomized to Florajen3 probiotic or placebo capsules once daily from 28 weeks' gestation until labor onset. Baseline vaginal and rectal study swabs for group B Streptococcus colony-forming units and microbiome analysis were collected at 28 and 36 weeks' gestation. Standard-of-care vaginal to rectal group B Streptococcus swabs were collected from all participants at 36 weeks' gestation and determined the need for intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis. Data collection included solicitation of adverse events, demographic information, Antepartum Gastrointestinal Symptom Assessment score, yogurt ingestion, sexual activity, and vaginal cleaning practices. RESULTS A total of 83 participants completed the study to 36 weeks' gestation with no adverse events. Standard-of-care group B Streptococcus colonization was 20.4% in the control group and 15.4% in probiotic group participants (-5%; P=.73). The relative risk for positive standard-of-care vaginal-rectal group B Streptococcus colonization was 1.33 (95% confidence interval, 0.5-3.40) times higher in the control group than in the probiotic group (P=.55). There were no differences in median vaginal (P=.16) or rectal (P=.20) group B streptococcus colony-forming units at baseline or at 36 weeks (vaginal P>.999; rectal P=.56). Antepartum Gastrointestinal Symptom Assessment scores were similar at baseline (P=.19), but significantly decreased in probiotic group participants at 36 weeks (P=.02). No covariates significantly altered group B Streptococcus colonization. Significantly more Florajen3 bacteria components were recovered from the vaginal-rectal samples of probiotic group participants (32%; P=.04) compared with controls. CONCLUSION The findings of this study provided insufficient evidence for the clinical application of the Florajen3 probiotic intervention to reduce standard-of-care vaginal-rectal group B Streptococcus colonization. The prevalence of group B Streptococcus was lower than expected in the study population, and intervention adherence was poor. Probiotic bacteria colonization of the genitourinary tract occurred more in intervention group participants than in controls and significantly reduced gastrointestinal symptoms of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Hanson
- Marquette University College of Nursing, Milwaukee, WI (Drs Hanson, VandeVusse, Malloy, and Singh).
| | - Leona VandeVusse
- Marquette University College of Nursing, Milwaukee, WI (Drs Hanson, VandeVusse, Malloy, and Singh)
| | - Marie Forgie
- Advocate Aurora UW Medical Group, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI (Drs Forgie and Malloy)
| | - Emily Malloy
- Advocate Aurora UW Medical Group, Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI (Drs Forgie and Malloy); Advocate Aurora Sinai Midwifery and Wellness Center, Milwaukee, WI (Dr Malloy and Ms Scherer)
| | - Maharaj Singh
- Marquette University College of Nursing, Milwaukee, WI (Drs Hanson, VandeVusse, Malloy, and Singh); Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI (Dr Singh and Ms Kleber)
| | - MaryAnne Scherer
- Advocate Aurora Sinai Midwifery and Wellness Center, Milwaukee, WI (Dr Malloy and Ms Scherer)
| | - Diana Kleber
- Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Milwaukee, WI (Dr Singh and Ms Kleber)
| | - Jonah Dixon
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI (Mr Dixon and Dr Safdar)
| | - Andrew J Hryckowian
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI (Dr Hryckowian); Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI (Dr Hryckowian)
| | - Nasia Safdar
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI (Mr Dixon and Dr Safdar)
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Menichini D, Chiossi G, Monari F, De Seta F, Facchinetti F. Supplementation of Probiotics in Pregnant Women Targeting Group B Streptococcus Colonization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14214520. [PMID: 36364782 PMCID: PMC9657808 DOI: 10.3390/nu14214520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine if probiotic supplementation in pregnancy reduced maternal Group B streptococcus (GBS) recto-vaginal colonization in pregnant women at 35–37 weeks of gestation. Electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library) were searched from inception up to February 2022. We included RCTs assessing the effects of probiotic supplementation in pregnancy on GBS recto-vaginal colonization. The primary outcome was GBS-positive recto-vaginal cultures performed at 35–37 weeks of gestation. Secondarily, we evaluated obstetric and short-term neonatal outcomes. A total of 132 publications were identified; 9 full-length articles were reviewed to finally include 5 studies. Probiotic supplementation reduced vaginal GBS colonization: the GBS positive culture rate was estimated at 31.9% (96/301) in the intervention group compared to 38.6% (109/282) in the control group (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.40–0.94, I2 4.8%, p = 0.38). The treatment started after 30 weeks of gestation and was more effective in reducing GBS colonization (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21–0.78, I2 0%, p = 0.55). Probiotic administration during pregnancy, namely in the third trimester, was associated with a reduced GBS recto-vaginal colonization at 35–37 weeks and a safe perinatal profile. Whether this new strategy could reduce the exposition of pregnant women to significant doses of antibiotics in labor needs to be evaluated in other trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Menichini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, International Doctorate School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0594225826
| | - Giuseppe Chiossi
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Monari
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco De Seta
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health “IRCCS Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabio Facchinetti
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
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Seif El Dahan K, Bejjani J, Nasrallah AA, Youssef L, Mladenovic A, Dosch L, Leone A, Jurjus A. Probiotics Properties: A Focus on Pregnancy Outcomes. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2022; 272:16-23. [PMID: 35278924 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
A healthy microbiome plays an important role in the prevention of illness and maintenance of overall health, including reproductive health. Although the therapeutic advantages of probiotics have been shown to run across multiple organ systems, their role in pregnancy is not well explored. The aim of this review is to highlight the potential advantages and adverse effects of probiotics in pregnancy. Data were collected from the literature over the past decade using PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, Ovid, Scopus, and Science Direct. A total of 40 articles were utilized in this review. Collected data indicated that prenatal and post-natal supplementation with lactobacilli alone or lactobacilli with Bifidobacterium spp. seems to be protective. Probiotics may improve insulin resistance and consequently reduce the risk of gestational diabetes. Probiotics may also reduce anxiety and depression by influencing brain activity. Additionally, they interfere with vaginal flora to make it friendlier to beneficial bacteria, and enhance anti-inflammatory or reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines. They may also decrease eczema in breastfed infants and prevent allergic reactions by downregulating Th2 responses to specific allergens from mid to late gestation. Leveraging the cervicovaginal microbiota could promote a number of positive pregnancy-related health outcomes. Caution should be exercised in the selection, dosing, and monitoring of probiotics administration. More comprehensive randomized clinical trials are needed to reach a more meaningful evidence-based clinical knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Bejjani
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Ali A Nasrallah
- Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Lara Youssef
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Balamand, Koura, Lebanon.
| | | | - Laura Dosch
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Angelo Leone
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Neuroscience, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Palermo, Italy.
| | - Abdo Jurjus
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
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Lehtoranta L, Ala-Jaakkola R, Laitila A, Maukonen J. Healthy Vaginal Microbiota and Influence of Probiotics Across the Female Life Span. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:819958. [PMID: 35464937 PMCID: PMC9024219 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.819958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaginal microbiota plays a central role in women’s health and reproduction. Vaginal microbiota is dynamic and shaped by hormonal shifts in each stage of a woman’s life from pre-puberty to postmenopause. Current research has mainly focused on vaginal bacterial and fungal members of the community and emphasized their role in disease. However, the impact of balanced vaginal microbiota on health and its interaction with the host is yet poorly understood. High abundance of vaginal lactobacilli is most strongly associated with health, but the concept of health may vary as vaginal dysbiosis may be asymptomatic. Furthermore, there is a lot of variation between ethnic groups in terms of dominating vaginal bacteria. Probiotic lactobacilli could be a safe and natural means to balance and maintain healthy vaginal microbiota. Research evidence is accumulating on their role in supporting women’s health throughout life. This review describes the current literature on vaginal microbiota, the major factors affecting its composition, and how the communities change in different life stages. Furthermore, we focused on reviewing available literature on probiotics and their impact on vaginal microbiota and health.
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Periodontal Disease and Vitamin D Deficiency in Pregnant Women: Which Correlation with Preterm and Low-Weight Birth? J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10194578. [PMID: 34640596 PMCID: PMC8509337 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10194578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Periodontal disease seems to be correlated with low vitamin D serum levels, preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW), although the literature still lacks a consensus. This study aimed to investigate this correlation in a cohort of pregnant women over 20 weeks of gestation from the University Hospital “Maggiore della Carità”, Novara, Italy. We assessed serum levels of vitamin D and oral health status through the following indexes: Oral Hygiene Index (OHI), Plaque Control Record (PCR), Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), and Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPTIN). Moreover, we assessed the number of PTB and LBW among the newborns. Out of 121 pregnant women recruited, 72 (mean age 29.91 ± 3.64 years) were included. There was a statistically significant correlation between preterm and OHI > 3 (p = 0.033), and between LBW and OHI > 3 (p = 0.005) and CPITN = 3 (p = 0.027). Both pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency ((25-hydroxy-vitamin D) < 30 ng/mL) and PTB plus LBW newborns were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with poor levels of all oral health status indexes during pregnancy. Furthermore, these conditions (women with hypovitaminosis D and combination of PTB and LBW) were shown to be significantly correlated (p < 0.001). Taken together, our findings reported a high prevalence of PTB and LBW with poor oral health and vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women.
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Horváth-Puhó E, Snoek L, van Kassel MN, Gonçalves BP, Chandna J, Procter SR, van de Beek D, de Gier B, van der Ende A, Sørensen HT, Lawn JE, Bijlsma MW. Every Country, Every Woman, Every Child; Group B Streptococcal Disease Worldwide Prematurity modifies the risk of long-term neurodevelopmental impairments after invasive Group B Streptococcus infections during infancy in Denmark and the Netherlands. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 74:S44-S53. [PMID: 34559200 PMCID: PMC8775650 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preterm birth and neonatal infections are both associated with mortality and long-term neurodevelopmental impairments (NDIs). We examined whether the effect of invasive group B Streptococcus disease (iGBS) on mortality and long-term NDI differs for preterm and term infants, and whether co-occurrence of iGBS and prematurity leads to worse outcome. Methods Nationwide cohort studies of children with a history of iGBS were conducted using Danish and Dutch medical databases. Comparison cohorts of children without iGBS were matched on birth year/month, sex, and gestational age. Effects of iGBS on all-cause mortality and NDI were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression. Effect modification by prematurity was evaluated on additive and multiplicative scales. Results We identified 487 preterm and 1642 term children with a history of iGBS and 21 172 matched comparators. Dutch preterm children exposed to iGBS had the highest mortality rate by 3 months of age (671/1000 [95% CI, 412–929/1000] person-years). Approximately 30% of this mortality rate could be due to the common effect of iGBS and prematurity. Preterm children with iGBS had the highest NDI risk (8.8% in Denmark, 9.0% in the Netherlands). Of this NDI risk 36% (Denmark) and 60% (the Netherlands) might be due to the combined effect of iGBS and prematurity. Conclusions Prematurity is associated with iGBS development. Our study shows that it also negatively impacts outcomes of children who survive iGBS. Preterm infants would benefit from additional approaches to prevent maternal GBS colonization, as this decreases risk of both preterm birth and iGBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erzsébet Horváth-Puhó
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Olof Palmes Allé 43-45, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Linde Snoek
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Merel N van Kassel
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bronner P Gonçalves
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Jaya Chandna
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Simon R Procter
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Diederik van de Beek
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Brechje de Gier
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Arie van der Ende
- Netherlands Reference Laboratory for Bacterial Meningitis, Amsterdam UMC/RIVM, University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henrik Toft Sørensen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Olof Palmes Allé 43-45, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Joy E Lawn
- Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) Centre, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Merijn W Bijlsma
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Pediatrics, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Brokaw A, Furuta A, Dacanay M, Rajagopal L, Adams Waldorf KM. Bacterial and Host Determinants of Group B Streptococcal Vaginal Colonization and Ascending Infection in Pregnancy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:720789. [PMID: 34540718 PMCID: PMC8446444 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.720789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a gram-positive bacteria that asymptomatically colonizes the vaginal tract. However, during pregnancy maternal GBS colonization greatly predisposes the mother and baby to a wide range of adverse outcomes, including preterm birth (PTB), stillbirth, and neonatal infection. Although many mechanisms involved in GBS pathogenesis are partially elucidated, there is currently no approved GBS vaccine. The development of a safe and effective vaccine that can be administered during or prior to pregnancy remains a principal objective in the field, because current antibiotic-based therapeutic strategies do not eliminate all cases of invasive GBS infections. Herein, we review our understanding of GBS disease pathogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface with a focus on the bacterial virulence factors and host defenses that modulate the outcome of infection. We follow GBS along its path from an asymptomatic colonizer of the vagina to an invasive pathogen at the maternal-fetal interface, noting factors critical for vaginal colonization, ascending infection, and vertical transmission to the fetus. Finally, at each stage of infection we emphasize important host-pathogen interactions, which, if targeted therapeutically, may help to reduce the global burden of GBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Brokaw
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Anna Furuta
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Matthew Dacanay
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Lakshmi Rajagopal
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kristina M Adams Waldorf
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington and Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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