Human placenta has no microbiome but can contain potential pathogens

Publication: Nature

This paper from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Cambridge presents three key messages: (1) the placenta does not have a microbiome; (2) bacterial infection of the placenta is not a common cause of adverse pregnancy outcome; and (3) the placenta is however a potential site of perinatal acquisition of Streptococcus agalactiae, a major cause of neonatal sepsis.