The oral microbiome and pre-eclampsia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Abundance and activity of oral nitrate-reducing bacteria in pre-eclampsia as a risk factor.
IRAS ID
281573
Contact name
Ifeoma Offiah
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy specific multi-system maternal vascular disease, characterised by increased blood pressure (hypertension) and urinary protein secretion. The disease manifests itself across a broad clinical spectrum, from mild disease managed in the community, to severe disease affecting multiple organ systems resulting in organ dysfunction. Diagnosed from 20weeks of pregnancy onwards, it affects 2-8% of all pregnant women and is associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is responsible for 50,000 maternal deaths annually worldwide. Iatrogenic preterm delivery, with its associated risks and complications is the common outcome for this condition.
Microbiome is a term used to define the combined community of microorganisms that exist throughout the human body. Each body site has a specific microbiota, dependent on the individuals’ habits, geographical location and genetic make-up. The microbiome can play a vital role in maintaining health, but when it becomes disrupted it enters a state of “dysbiosis” which may contribute to disease. An imbalance of the gastrointestinal tract microbiota, for example, has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and obesity.
Periodontal and gum disease is caused by poor oral hygiene, in turn resulting in an oral dysbiosis. Chronic inflammation induced by periodontal disease has been linked to systemic illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular ischaemia and atherosclerosis. Several epidemiological studies have linked chronic periodontitis to pre-eclampsia. For example, women are reported to be at higher risk of pre-eclampsia if they have periodontitis antenatally, and it is noted that the more severe the periodontal disease the more severe the pre-eclampsia. However, the mechanism underlying the link between periodontitis and pre-eclampsia, and whether this is related to oral dysbiosis and alterations in oral bacteria, is not clear.
This study will thus be investigating the relationship between oral dysbiosis, the oral microbiome, and pre-eclampsia.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SW/0107
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion