ANTI-MICROBIAL EFFECT OF AMNIOTIC-FLUID

Abstract

The antimicrobial effect of amniotic fluid (AF) obtained during the 1st (AF1) and 2nd (AF2) trimesters was compared with the 3rd (AF3) against anaerobic bacteria, such as Bacteroides fragilis ssp. fragilis (6 strains), Eubacterium lentum (3 strains), and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius (4 strains). Escherichia coli (5 strains) served as a positive control. AF1 supported the growth of all 4 anaerobes (except B. fragilis for 4 h) for the entire 24-h period tested. AF2 supported the growth of E. coli and B. fragilis for 24 h but temporarily inhibited P. anaerobius and E. lentum. AF3 inhibited all bacteria tested for 8 h or more. AF1 is the least inhibitory, AF3 the most, and AF2 intermediate for the organisms tested. Lack of antimicrobial effect of AF on anaerobic bacteria may be an explanation for the higher incidence of anaerobic infections during absortion than during the prenatal period.