Africa, Charlene W.J.2014-01-092014-01-092011Africa, C.W.J. (2011). Oral colonization of Gram-negative anaerobes as a risk factor for preterm birth. Virulence, 2(6): 498-5082150-5594http://hdl.handle.net/10566/929http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/viru.2.6.17719Preterm birth significantly impacts on neonatal morbidity and mortality and is apparently increasing worldwide. Several studies have attempted to define a causative role for periodontal disease in adverse pregnancy outcomes but few have focused on the microbiology of periodontal disease in relation to these outcomes. Results: The evidence for a positive correlation is strong, supported by microbiological and immunological findings. Conflicting results are often associated with uncontrolled confounding factors. Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted in order to establish whether or not a role exists for oral Gramnegative bacteria in adverse pregnancy outcomes. Association and intervention studies are summarized along with pathogenic potential of the Gram-negative bacteria most frequently implicated in periodontal disease.enThis is an open-access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. The article may be redistributed, reproduced, and reused for non-commercial purposes, provided the original source is properly cited.Periodontal diseaseRed complexOrange complexPreterm birthArticle