Microflora of the Cervix during Normal Labor and the Puerperium

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Abstract
The normal flora of the cervix was studied in 50 healthy women in labor and on the third day postpartum. Aerobic bacteria were the exclusive isolates in 25% of these women, and 75% had anaerobic bacteria in addition to aerobes. Anaerobes were always found in association with aerobes. The most frequent isolate of Bacteroides was Bacteroides melaninogenicus, found in 20% of the women during labor and 14% during the puerperium. Bacteroides fragilis was distinctly absent during labor but was found in 6.8% of the women during the puerperium. Clostridia were found in 1% but histotoxic clostridia were not found. None had gram-negative diplococci (Neisseria or Veillonella). Gram-negative diplococci and spore-bearing bacilli visible by gram stain and B. fragilis demonstrated by culture, if present in the cervical specimens obtained during labor, should be considered abnormal.

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