Am J Perinatol 1992; 9(2): 69-74
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994674
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1992 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

The Effects of pH and Osmolality on Bacterial Growth in Amniotic Fluid in a Laboratory Model

Helayne M. Silver, Theresa Siler-Khodr, Thomas J. Prihoda, Ronald S. Gibbs
  • Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pathology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio Texas
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

In studying the effects of amniotic fluid on bacterial growth in a laboratory model, we noted that the pH of the fluid appeared to exert an independent effect. This study was designed to test the ability to control the growth of Escherichia coli in amniotic fluid simply by controlling two important growth conditions, pH andosmolality. The effects of pH and osmolality on growth of E. coli were systematically studied in a standard media and in amniotic fluid. Optimal ranges in standard media were pH of 5.6 to 6.6 and osmolality of 150 to 215 mOsm. When the results of growth at 24 hours were corrected for pH by analysis of covariance, the presence of amniotic fluid or phosphate had no effect. We found pH to be the only variable predictive of bacterial growth in amniotic fluid in this laboratory model.