Placental Microbiome – Review: DOI: 10.37072/JCS.2023.01.05

Manole COJOCARU
Department of Physiology and Immunology, “Titu Maiorescu” University,
Faculty of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania, Member of the Academy of Romanian Scientists

Abstract
The placenta is one of the most poorly understood human organs, particularly with regard to the presence of microbes within it. Until recently the placenta and developing fetus were considered to be germ free, containing no apparent microbiome.
When studying the role of the microbiota in pregnancy, it is crucial to consider the stage at which the essential interaction between the host and its microbes begins. This strengthens the fact that more studies are needed to understand the effects of pregnancy on the gut mi- crobiota.
Bacterial vaginosis is the most prevalent reproductive disorder and is linked with gyne- cological complications, like spontaneous preterm labor, abortion, and endometriosis.
Bacterial vaginosis can be cured by restoring the representative vaginal components of the microbiota with probiotic formula, usually species of the genus Lactobacillus.
The objective was to assess the available scientific evidence regarding the placental mi- crobial composition of a healthy pregnancy, the quality of this evidence.
Keywords:
placenta, microbiome, pregnancy