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Human placenta has no microbiome but can contain potential pathogens

Author

Listed:
  • Marcus C. de Goffau

    (Wellcome Sanger Institute
    University of Cambridge)

  • Susanne Lager

    (University of Cambridge, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre
    University of Cambridge
    Uppsala University)

  • Ulla Sovio

    (University of Cambridge, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre
    University of Cambridge)

  • Francesca Gaccioli

    (University of Cambridge, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre
    University of Cambridge)

  • Emma Cook

    (University of Cambridge, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre)

  • Sharon J. Peacock

    (Wellcome Sanger Institute
    University of Cambridge
    London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

  • Julian Parkhill

    (Wellcome Sanger Institute
    University of Cambridge)

  • D. Stephen Charnock-Jones

    (University of Cambridge, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre
    University of Cambridge)

  • Gordon C. S. Smith

    (University of Cambridge, National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre
    University of Cambridge)

Abstract

We sought to determine whether pre-eclampsia, spontaneous preterm birth or the delivery of infants who are small for gestational age were associated with the presence of bacterial DNA in the human placenta. Here we show that there was no evidence for the presence of bacteria in the large majority of placental samples, from both complicated and uncomplicated pregnancies. Almost all signals were related either to the acquisition of bacteria during labour and delivery, or to contamination of laboratory reagents with bacterial DNA. The exception was Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus), for which non-contaminant signals were detected in approximately 5% of samples collected before the onset of labour. We conclude that bacterial infection of the placenta is not a common cause of adverse pregnancy outcome and that the human placenta does not have a microbiome, but it does represent a potential site of perinatal acquisition of S. agalactiae, a major cause of neonatal sepsis.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcus C. de Goffau & Susanne Lager & Ulla Sovio & Francesca Gaccioli & Emma Cook & Sharon J. Peacock & Julian Parkhill & D. Stephen Charnock-Jones & Gordon C. S. Smith, 2019. "Human placenta has no microbiome but can contain potential pathogens," Nature, Nature, vol. 572(7769), pages 329-334, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:572:y:2019:i:7769:d:10.1038_s41586-019-1451-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1451-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Brennen T. Fagan & George W. A. Constable & Richard Law, 2024. "Maternal transmission as a microbial symbiont sieve, and the absence of lactation in male mammals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Vicki Mercado-Evans & Marlyd E. Mejia & Jacob J. Zulk & Samantha Ottinger & Zainab A. Hameed & Camille Serchejian & Madelynn G. Marunde & Clare M. Robertson & Mallory B. Ballard & Simone H. Ruano & Na, 2024. "Gestational diabetes augments group B Streptococcus infection by disrupting maternal immunity and the vaginal microbiota," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-20, December.
    3. Kerstin Thriene & Karin B. Michels, 2023. "Human Gut Microbiota Plasticity throughout the Life Course," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.

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