Table 1.

Specimen collection, laboratory testing and other procedures by study visit

Procedure type	Screening	Enrolment	Periodontal examination	Preconception	9–12 weeks gestation	Delivery*	Postpartum
Specimen collection
Urine pregnancy test	X	X		X
Genital swabs
APTIMA swab		X
Push-off swabs†		X		X	X
Cotton and Dacron swabs		X		X	X
Sialidase test swab		X		X
Fetal membrane swab						X
Placental punch						X
Fetal membrane roll						X
Umbilical cord						X
Laboratory testing
HIV rapid test	X
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis		X
Cervical Gram stain		X
Vaginal pH		X
Vaginal wet mount		X
Vaginal Gram stain		X		X	X
Lactobacillus culture‡		X		X	X
Sialidase test		X		X
PSA test		X		X	X
Participant Questionnaires
Eligibility screen	X
Demographics		X
Reproductive history		X
Medical history and current symptoms		X		X	X
Sexual behaviour		X		X	X
Substance use		X		X	X
Dental health history			X
Neonatal heath							X
Obstetric ultrasound					X

*Delivery follows standard obstetrical procedure and is not conducted by study staff.

†Storing for vaginal microbiota and vaginal inflammatory response testing.

‡Rogosa agar, followed by subculture for hydrogen peroxide production on tetramethylbenzidine agar containing horseradish peroxidase.

PSA, prostate specific antigen.