BMC Microbiol March 2023 PMID 36934229

Is there a placental microbiota? A critical review and re-analysis of published placental microbiota datasets.

Jonathan J Panzer, Roberto Romero, Jonathan M Greenberg, Andrew D Winters, Jose Galaz, Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, Kevin R Theis

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Mentions

Peak: 26 in Mar 2023

across 3 sources since Mar 2023

Extended reach

185,187

potential audience

Total likes

5,718

Video views

116,099

Mentions per month

Mar 2023 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

X / Twitter27 posts
Bluesky3 posts
YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone reflects strong agreement with the article’s conclusion, with comments praising the rigorous re-analysis and dismissing earlier claims of placental microbiota. Words like 'exhaustive investigation' and 'very thorough' showcase the depth of engagement, emphasizing both the scientific rigor and potential paradigm shift stemming from this work.

AgreementStrong agreement

The majority of discussions strongly support the article's conclusion that the placental microbiota is likely due to contamination, indicated by repeated affirmations like 'The placenta does not harbor a microbiome' and 'exhaustive investigation.'

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high curiosity about the topic, evidenced by detailed comments and references to the re-analysis effort and its significance.

EngagementHigh engagement

Posts demonstrate deep engagement through sharing specific findings, emphasizing the thorough re-analysis, and calling attention to the implications for microbiome research.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions highlight the study's potential to reshape understanding in the field, with phrases like 'very thorough re-analysis' and 'helpful,' underlining a significant influence.

Abstract in brief

The study reviews existing research on whether a true microbiome exists in the human placenta, finding that the detected bacterial DNA may be due to contamination rather than an actual microbiota.
Reanalyzing 15 publicly available datasets with consistent methods showed that bacteria like Lactobacillus, often thought to be part of a placental microbiota, were likely contaminants, especially in cesarean deliveries.
The analysis suggests that current DNA-based evidence does not support the existence of a distinct microbiome in the healthy human placenta, emphasizing the need to distinguish genuine bacteria from contamination sources.]

Read the full abstract

All mentions

Development and Impact of Infant Microbiota on Human Health

New research suggests that microbiota colonization begins before birth, influenced by factors like delivery mode, breastfeeding, and environment. The microbiota plays a vital role in immune development and overall…

jefillysh · Apr 21, 2025 116,063 views

Impact of Genes and Microbes on Human Health and Behavior

Join Mayla Boguslav as she interviews research expert Julie Horvath on how genetics and microbes influence health and behavior, discussing current research on placental microbiota and contamination issues.

The Ignorance Institute · Sep 7, 2025 36 views

Jens Walter

@JensWalter15 · X

See here a critical review that was published after our Nature paper. https://t.co/PisDdvPNEO

May 3, 2025 · 1,281 followers View post →

Jamin Samuel Fernandez

@jaminsamuel18.bsky.social · Bluesky

youtu.be/GQ7pw2ldV8M?...

Apr 22, 2025 View post →

ES/IODE

@esiode.bsky.social · Bluesky

Apr 19, 2024 View post →

ES/IODE

@esiode.bsky.social · Bluesky

Mar 27, 2024 View post →

文屑屋

@fumikuzuya · X

RT @JezidMiranda: In conclusion, the placenta does not harbor a microbiome.

Mar 29, 2023 · 2 shares · 24 followers View post →

Marie-Claire Arrieta

@ArrietaLab · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 2,896 followers View post →

Kenny Araujo

@kennyaraujo · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 311 followers View post →

Marcelo Cornejo-Alaniz

@mcornejo1981 · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 177 followers View post →

Carolina Cabalín

@caracola_cn · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 1,323 followers View post →

Kristin Connor @kconnor.bsky.social

@KC0nn0r · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 1,618 followers View post →

José Galaz

@josegalaz · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 425 followers View post →

Dustyn Levenson

@LevensonDustyn · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 32 followers View post →

Dr Jane Cleal

@ClealDr · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 1,529 followers View post →

Mick W@tson ↙️

@BioMickWatson · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 28,887 followers View post →

TheDecentTech

@TheDecentTech · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 567 followers View post →

Jezid Miranda, MD, PhD

@JezidMiranda · X

In conclusion, the placenta does not harbor a microbiome.

Mar 28, 2023 · 15 likes · 2 shares · 3,989 followers View post →

Jezid Miranda, MD, PhD

@JezidMiranda · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 3,989 followers View post →

Derek Miller

@derektm9 · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 188 followers View post →

Valeria Garcia-Flores

@valeriaqbp · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 186 followers View post →

David Lissauer

@DavidLissauer · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 1,882 followers View post →

Nardhy Gomez

@nardhygomez · X

RT @jj_panzer: The placenta does not harbor a microbiome. We have performed an exhaustive investigation across studies. Please check out ou…

Mar 28, 2023 · 42 shares · 1,637 followers View post →

Jonathan Panzer

@jj_panzer · X

Mar 28, 2023 · 189 likes · 42 shares · 62 followers View post →

George Birchenough

@GobletCellGuy · X

RT @JensWalter15: This is very a very thorough re-analysis of sequence data from studies that attempted to characterize a placental microbi…

Mar 25, 2023 · 5 shares · 748 followers View post →

Christine Fülling

@10_9_cfu · X

RT @JensWalter15: This is very a very thorough re-analysis of sequence data from studies that attempted to characterize a placental microbi…

Mar 25, 2023 · 5 shares · 824 followers View post →

Clavellab

@clavellab · X

RT @JensWalter15: This is very a very thorough re-analysis of sequence data from studies that attempted to characterize a placental microbi…

Mar 24, 2023 · 5 shares · 837 followers View post →

AB Johnson

@Hijo_de_Juan · X

RT @JensWalter15: This is very a very thorough re-analysis of sequence data from studies that attempted to characterize a placental microbi…

Mar 24, 2023 · 5 shares · 151 followers View post →

Jens Walter

@JensWalter15 · X

This is very a very thorough re-analysis of sequence data from studies that attempted to characterize a placental microbiota. Extremely helpful. https://t.co/fKCEZvbEyA

Mar 24, 2023 · 25 likes · 5 shares · 1,281 followers View post →

Host-Microbe Interactions

@HostMicrobeLit · X

Is there a placental microbiota? A critical review and re-analysis of published placental microbiota datasets @BioMedCentral https://t.co/BNzzfZBCoX

Mar 24, 2023 · 3 likes · 3,447 followers View post →

Kelly A. Hogan Ph.D.

@Loose_Lab_Rat · X

Is there a placental microbiota? A critical review and re-analysis of published placental microbiota datasets https://t.co/bBJR6uGJvu

Mar 20, 2023 · 3 likes · 2,239 followers View post →

Microbiome Articles

@microbe_article · X

Is there a placental microbiota? a critical review and re-analysis of published placental microbiota datasets. - Panzer JJ et al. - https://t.co/4IEh01OGQ9 #microbiome

Mar 19, 2023 · 7,157 followers View post →

Is there a placental microbiota? A critical review and re-analysis of published placental microbiota datasets.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

Development and Impact of Infant Microbiota on Human Health

Impact of Genes and Microbes on Human Health and Behavior