Fig. 4: Cervicovaginal concentrations of mediators of microbial recognition differ depending on vaginal microbial composition and birth outcome.

Cervicovaginal concentrations of MBL, IgM, and Ig1-IgG4 were measured and concentrations compared between 12–16 weeks and 20–24 weeks in women who delivered preterm, term without intervention, and at term following intervention a–f, n = 122. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-sided Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test. MBL, IgM, and IgG1-IgG4 concentrations were also compared between samples taken from women who were classed as CST I with CST II–V g–l, n = 385 samples from n = 133 women. The Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn’s multiple comparison’s test was used to determine statistical significance. Cervicovaginal concentrations of MBL, IgM, and Ig1-IgG4 were compared between women who delivered preterm or at term in those who were classed as being Lactobacillus deplete (n = 22), or abundant in either VMG 3 (L. iners) (n = 22) or VMG 4 (diverse) (n = 15). CST IV was subdivided into CST IV-B (n = 8), CSTIV-C1 (n = 1), CSTIV-C2 (n = 1) and CST IV-C3 (n = 5) (m–r). Statistical analysis was performed using a one-sided Mann–Whitney test. Data are presented as median values and interquartile ranges (25th and 75th percentiles). Source data are provided as a Source Data file.