Fig. 9: Cerclage using braided material is associated with activation of complement and cytokine production in women who deliver preterm.
From: Microbial-driven preterm labour involves crosstalk between the innate and adaptive immune response
Vaginal microbiota composition (a) and cervicovaginal immune mediators (b–i) were analysed in 34 women who delivered preterm between 12–16 weeks and again between 20–24 weeks. Ten women had a cerclage with braided material and 7 women had a cerclage with monofilament material between timepoints, whereas 16 women had no intervention (a). The concentration of MBL (b), IgM (c), C3b (d), C5 (e), C5a (f), IL-8 (g), IL-6 (h), and IL-1β (i) were compared between 12–16 and 20–24 weeks in women who had a braided cerclage, monofilament cerclage and no cerclage. The proportion of women who had an increase in immune mediators were also compared between suture material. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-sided Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test and a one-sided Fisher’s exact test, N = 33 women. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.
