Experimental intrauterine infection with Prevotella bivia in New Zealand White rabbits.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a model of chronic intrauterine and fetal infection with Prevotella bivia, an anaerobe of the lower genital tract that is associated often with bacterial vaginosis.

Study Design: Thirty timed pregnant New Zealand White rabbits on gestational day 21 were inoculated with P bivia or saline solution in a planned ratio of 4:1 (24 P bivia: 6 saline solution). Rabbits were inoculated 6 cm transcervically with 10(5) to 10(8) colony-forming units/uterine horn of P bivia or with saline solution.