Objectives: Determine pathogens associated with preterm labor.

Methods: After IRB approval, 53 parturients received a periodontal examination using Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) on labor suite admission. Patients were separated into three groups: Group 1 – periodontitis (PSR ³ 3) at term, Group 2 – periodontitis and preterm (< 37 weeks gestation), Group 3 – no periodontitis (PSR < 3) at term. In all groups, gingival sulcus samples were obtained and DNA tested (MicroDenteX®) for periodontal pathogens. Pathogens screened: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Eikenella corrodens (Ec), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Campylobacter rectus (Cr), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Bacteriodes forsythus (Bf), and Treponema denticola (Td). Results expressed as mean ± SD or median. Analyzed using ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis, or Chi-square. P < 0.05 is significant.

Results: Results in Table. Gestational age was less in-group 2. Median PSR score was higher in groups 1 and 2, with a higher pathogen detection frequency (pathogen +) compared to group 3. Fusobacterium nucleatum alone, or in combination with Prevotella intermedia had a higher detection rate in the preterm group.

Conclusion: Fusobacterium nucleatum alone, or in combination with Prevotella intermedia is associated with preterm labor in parturients with periodontitis (PSR ³ 3).

Table	Group 1 (n=19)	Group 2 (n=10)	Group 3 (n=24)	P
Age (yrs)	30.3 ± 5.4	28.8 ± 6.1	31.0 ± 5.1	0.67
Gestation (wks)	39.3 ± 0.7	35.3 ± 1.7	39.0 ± 0.9	0.00
PSR (median)	3	3	0	0.00
Pathogen + (%)	57.9	60.0	33.3	0.18
Aa (%)	81.8	83.3	62.5	0.55
Pi (%)	69.2	100	50.0	0.13
Pg (%)	45.5	83.3	50.0	0.30
Ec (%)	72.7	66.7	62.5	0.89
Cr (%)	54.5	50.0	37.5	0.76
Bf (%)	72.7	50.0	50.0	0.52
Td (%)	72.7	50.0	25.0	0.42
Fn (%)	69.2	83.3	25.0	0.05
Pi + Fn (%)	53.8	83.3	12.5	0.03

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