MIKULA Fanny

Previous University and Subject: Medical University of Vienna, Human Medicine

Thesis since: 10/2022

The Human Microbiome in Pregnancy, Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes, Cervical Insufficiency, Preterm Birth and the Neonatal Infant

This thesis is based on microbiome analysis in pregnant patients and newborns. We plan to conduct three coherent prospective longitudinal case-control pilot-projects to examine the following aims: 

- (1) to characterize the vaginal, rectal, uterine and placental microbiome in pregnant women experiencing preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM) or cervical insufficiency with immediate hospitalization and consecutive caesarean section at preterm, in comparison to uneventful term births with elective cesarean section.

- (2) to examine the changes of the vaginal and rectal microbiome in pregnant patients with uneventful term births with elective cesarean section or pPROM or cervical insufficiency from inclusion to caesarean section.

- (3) to evaluate the influence of the maternal on the neonatal microbiome and the early neonatal outcome in pPROM or cervical insufficiency preterm cases, in comparison to uneventful term births.

The first and second aim will be achieved by collecting vaginal and rectal samples for microbiome analysis at defined time points in women experiencing pPROM or cervical insufficiency, followed by vaginal, rectal, uterine and placental swabs that are collected during caesarean section. Control samples will be collected at inclusion and delivery from women undergoing elective caesarean section at term. The third aim will be achieved by microbiome analysis of meconium/stool samples, as well as oral/buccal, and skin swabs taken from newborns that are either born preterm after pPROM or cervical insufficiency, or at term, both by caesarean section. 

Methods and Skills:

Clinical studies

Publications:

Tendl-Schulz KA, Rössler F, Wimmer P, Heber UM, Mittlböck M, Kozakowski N, Pinker K, Bartsch R, Dubsky P, Fitzal F, Filipits M, Eckel FC, Langthaler EM, Steger G, Gnant M, Singer CF, Helbich TH, Bago-Horvath Z. Factors influencing agreement of breast cancer luminal molecular subtype by Ki67 labeling index between core needle biopsy and surgical resection specimens. Virchows Arch 477: 545-555, 2020

Lietz A, Eckel F, Kiss H, Noe-Letschnig M, Farr A. Quality of life in women with chronic recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis: A sub-analysis of the prospective multicentre phase IIb/III Prof-001 study. Mycoses 2023; doi: 10.1111/myc.13602, online ahead of print