Background and Objectives : Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity is a significant clinical problem in obstetrics leading to infectious morbidity of both the mother and the newborn. So rapid and reliable test to detect bacteria in amniotic fluid i...
Background and Objectives : Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity is a significant clinical problem in obstetrics leading to infectious morbidity of both the mother and the newborn. So rapid and reliable test to detect bacteria in amniotic fluid is urgently needed. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the feasibility of using the 16S rDNA PCR to detect bacteria in amniotic fluid.
Material and Method : Amniotic fluid samples from 15 pregnant women with hydramnios, preterm labor, or old age pregnancy were analysed with universal bacterial PCR. We used universal primers which amplify a DNA fragment of 16s rDNA from all known bacteria and sequenced the positive samples to identify the bacterial species, In some cases, routine bacterial culture, WBC, and CRP were studied also.
Result : Three of 15 pregnant women were positive in the PCR. DNA sequencing of the PCR product detected Staphylococcus epidermidis in one case, and Streptococcus anginosus in two cases.
Conclusion : The broad-spectrum bacterial 16S rDNA PCR assay, in properly controlled conditions, may provide a fast and reliable means for the detection of bacteria in amniotic fluid.