Aims: Preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) is usually associated with maternal vaginal colonization of Group B Streptococci (GBS). However, there are reports on isolation of Acinetobacter baumannii in PPROM cases. In order to ascertain A. baumannii’s role in PPROM, we determine the colonization of A. baumannii and other common vaginal tract flora, i.e. GBS and Candida albicans, in women with PPROM, and compared them to those with normal labor at term (NLT). The transmissibility of the organisms to their babies was also investigated. Methodology and results: A total of 218 high vaginal swabs from 108 and 100 women with PPROM and NLT respectively were collected. The transmission of these organisms to their 215 babies was determined by swabbing the ears and axillae. These were cultured for isolation of A. baumannii, GBS and C. albicans. Results showed that mothers with PPROM were predominantly colonized with GBS (32.4%), followed by C. albicans (19.4%) and A. baumannii (7.4%), compared to 10.9%, 17.3% and 7.2% respectively, in women with NLT. Between 34 to 50% of the babies of mothers with PPROM acquired the organisms, with GBS being the most significantly (p=0.000) transferred compared to other organisms. Co-existence of A. baumannii with either GBS or C. albicans, or both, did not enhance the occurrence of PPROM. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Colonization of A. baumannii in vaginal tract of pregnant women does not increase the possibility of PPROM, as compared to GBS.

Some anecdotal reports suggest that maternal colonisation with Acinetobacter baumannii during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal effects, including preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM). The objective of this study was to compare the maternal and neonatal effects of A. baumannii colonisation in cases with PPROM and those with spontaneous onset of labour at term.