Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of 4 periodontopathogens in neonatal gastric aspirates and to determine the relative amount of each species in the samples using quantitative PCR analysis (q-PCR).
Methods: Forty-three neonatal gastric aspirate samples were analysed using q-PCR with primers specific for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Relative amounts of bacteria were calculated for positive samples in relation to the total bacterial load as determined with universal primers for the 16S rRNA gene.
Results: A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, and T. forsythia were not detected in any of the samples tested. F. nucleatum was detected in 3 of the samples. The absolute amounts of F. nucleatum were determined as 4.02E+02, 2.28E+05, and 4.87E+02 cells/ml. Relative amounts were calculated and represented up to 37% of the total bacterial load.
Conclusions: F. nucleatum was detected in neonatal gastric aspirates at levels that may have a role in pregnancy complications and/or adverse neonatal outcome. The precise origin of F. nucleatum needs to be determined to confirm translocation of bacteria from the oral cavity to the amniotic environment.