Figure 1. The microbial prevalence in placental tissue and fetal membranes from term and very preterm deliveries.

The microbial prevalence was determined in the following groups term with vaginal delivery (V) or caesarean section (CS), indicated preterm delivery, preterm delivery with PPROM, and preterm delivery with intact membranes (PTL). An individual was deemed positive if any of the 5 tissue samples taken were positive for the amplification of bacterial DNA by either method described. The frequency of bacterial prevalence in each group is expressed as a percentage and the number in each group. Groups were compared and significance was determined by a Fisher's exact test.