Phospholipase A2 Producing Bacteria and Pre-Term Labor

The purpose of this study is to better understand (1) if phospholipase A2 producing
microorganisms and cytokines (IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13) are associated with
premature labor (2) if pregnant teens are more likely to have phospholipase A2 producing
bacteria than a pregnant adults and (3) if there is a difference in the cytokines between
pregnant teens and adults.We hypothesize that phospholipase producing microorganisms may
trigger the onset of premature labor. The following are hypothesized: (a) The microorganism
cultured should show high activities of phospholipase A2 (b) The cervical length measurement
predictive value should correspond to the gestation age at term (c) Vaginal flora of teen
will be more susceptible to colonization with higher phospholipase A2 producing bacteria
than that of an adult (d) The maternal genotype contribution to the concentration of IL-1,
IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and TNF-alpha during the first trimester of pregnancy in teens is
different in the production of inflammatory cytokines and modulators(e) The maternal
genotype of teens therefore influences the production of phospholipase A2 and causes an
increase in preterm delivery.