Sedigheh Livani - Laboratory Sciences Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Sepideh Bakhshandeh Nosrat - Department of gynaecology and obstetrics, School of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Asieh Sadat Bani-Aghil - Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
Ezzat-allah Ghaemi - Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran

Background and Aim:Preterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. It is still increasing in most countries. There is growing evidence that the vaginal microbiome influences risk for preterm birth. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency and relationship between vaginal presence of Atopobium vaginae and the risk of preterm delivery.Methods:A case-control study was designed. 100 pregnant women with term delivery (the control group) and 100 pregnant women with preterm delivery (as the case group) were attended in this study. Vaginal secretion was taken from vagina by dacron swab. DNA extraction and PCR with specific oligonucleotides were done. Statistical analysis X2 were performedResults:The frequency of Atopobium in term and preterm delivery group was 7.5% and 7%, respectively. Pvalue was not significant (Pvalue=0.8).Conclusion:The risk of preterm delivery is not associated with vaginal presence of Atopobium vaginae in women with preterm delivery.

Atopobium, Preterm delivery, Pregnancy