Characterization of the vaginal microbiome in women of reproductive age from five regions in Brazil

The vaginal microbiome is an intricate and dynamic microecosystem that constantly undergoes fluctuations during the female menstrual cycle and the woman’s entire life. A healthy vaginal microbiome is dominated by Lactobacillus which produce various antimicrobial compounds. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by the loss or sharp decline in the total number of Lactobacillus and a corresponding marked increase in the concentration of anaerobic microbes. BV is a highly prevalent disorder of the vaginal microbiota among women of reproductive age globally. BV is confirmed to be associated with adverse gynecologic and obstetric outcomes, such as sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and preterm birth. Gardnerella vaginalis is the most common microorganism identified from BV. It is the predominant microbe in polymicrobial biofilms that could shelter G. vaginalis and other BV-associated microbes from adverse host environments. Many efforts have been made to increase our understanding of the vaginal microbiome in health and BV. Thus, improved novel and accurate diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for BV have been developed. This review covers the features of vaginal microbiome, BV, BV-associated diseases, and various strategies of diagnosis and treatment of BV, with an emphasis on recent research progresses.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Associations between the vaginal microbiome and Candida colonization in women of reproductive age.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.736814216.793576871 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Bryan Larsen

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Age ◽

Vaginal Microbiome ◽

Candida Colonization ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Associations Between the Vaginal Microbiome and Candida Colonization in Women of Reproductive Age.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.736814216.793574613 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Rosemarie Heyn

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Age ◽

Vaginal Microbiome ◽

Candida Colonization ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age

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Molecular Characterization of FMR1 Gene by TP-PCR in Women of Reproductive Age and Women with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

Molecular Diagnosis & Therapy ◽

10.1007/s40291-017-0305-9 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

pp. 91-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Deepika Delsa Dean ◽

Sarita Agarwal ◽

Deepa Kapoor ◽

Kuldeep Singh ◽

Chandra Vati

Keyword(s):

Molecular Characterization ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Fmr1 Gene ◽

Premature Ovarian Insufficiency ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age ◽

Ovarian Insufficiency

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Clinicoetiological Characterization of Infectious Vaginitis amongst Women of Reproductive Age Group from Navi Mumbai, India

Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽

10.1155/2015/817092 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Anuradha Narayankhedkar ◽

Anahita Hodiwala ◽

Arati Mane

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Tract ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Sexually Active ◽

Age Group ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age ◽

Reproductive Tract Infections ◽

Presenting Symptoms ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Reproductive Age Group

Vaginitis is one of the commonest reproductive tract infections in sexually active women. In the present study clinicoetiological characterization of infectious vaginitis amongst 380 women of reproductive age group (18–45 years) was done. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was detected by Nugent’s scoring, Candida infection by culture, and trichomoniasis (TV) by wet mount. One hundred and ten (28.9%) women presented with symptoms of vaginitis. The presenting symptoms were vaginal discharge 106 (96.4%), vulval itching/irritation 19 (17.3%), malodor 5 (4.5%), pain in abdomen 3 (2.7%), and dysuria 1 (0.9%). The commonest etiology detected was Candida in 33 (30%) cases, of which 18 (54.5%) were C. albicans and 15 (45.5%) non-albicans Candida (NAC) infections. The NAC isolates were C. glabrata (n=10), C. tropicalis (n=3), and C. krusei (n=2). BV and TV were observed in 19 (17.3%) and 2 (1.8%) cases, respectively. A statistically significant association between Candida infection and presence of curdy-white discharge (p=0.001) and vulval itching/irritation (p=0.007) was noted. To conclude, we observed the etiological predominance of Candida infection, with considerable prevalence of NAC, indicating the need for microbiological investigation up to species level in cases of Candida infections, to ensure appropriate management.

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Characterization of the Use of Emergency Contraception from Sentinel Pharmacies in a Region of Southern Europe

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10132793 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (13) ◽

pp. 2793

Author(s):

Anna M. Jambrina ◽

Pilar Rius ◽

Pilar Gascón ◽

Mercè Armelles ◽

Mariona Camps-Bossacoma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behaviors ◽

Emergency Contraception ◽

Risky Sexual Behaviors ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

One Year ◽

Consumer Habits ◽

First Time

Numerous studies have been published suggesting that emergency contraception (EC) is used repeatedly, but a lack of information regarding the profile of users makes it difficult to evaluate actual consumer habits. The aim of this study was to obtain information regarding the profile of users who obtain EC and other factors that might play a role, and to provide criteria to evaluate and improve the strategies of current contraceptive programs. This was an observational one-year study based on surveillance data on the provision of EC to women of reproductive age in 60 community pharmacies in Catalonia, Spain. In total, 941 notifications of dispensation of EC in Catalonia were received. A total of 44.2% of users said it was not the first time that they had taken the medication (repeat user). The percentage of users who used condoms was lower in repeat users compared to first-time users (56.7% vs. 64.4%, p < 0.05). A total of 25.7% of users stated that they did not use any barrier contraceptive method. The use of natural methods in repeat users was 53.8% in the subgroup who requested the medication after 48 h, significantly higher than in users who obtained the medication within the first 24 h (p < 0.05). A high percentage of repeat users with risky sexual behaviors were detected, suggesting that new measures must be implemented to provide information for this method, together with educational and preventive strategies.

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Fertility factors affect the vaginal microbiome in women of reproductive age

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology ◽

10.1111/aji.13220 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 83 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Jieying Xu ◽

Gaorui Bian ◽

Min Zheng ◽

Gang Lu ◽

Wai‐Yee Chan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Age ◽

Vaginal Microbiome ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age

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CD3-Leukocytes Present in the Human Uterus During Early Placentation: Phenotypic and Morphologic Characterization of the CD56++Population

Developmental Immunology ◽

10.1155/1991/83493 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 169-190 ◽

Cited By ~ 177

Author(s):

Ashley King ◽

Nalini Balendran ◽

P. Wooding ◽

N. P. Carter ◽

Y. W. Loke

Keyword(s):

Nk Cells ◽

Peripheral Blood ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Ultrastructural Level ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Human Uterus ◽

Phenotypic Characteristics ◽

Women Of Reproductive Age ◽

Differentiated Cells

In this study, the CD3- LGL/NK cells present in the pregnant human uterus have been characterized. Phenotypic and morphologic analyses of decidual LGL revealed many similarities to the minor CD56bright+, CD16-subset in peripheral blood, but there were some important differences. The relative surface density of CD56+is greatly increased on decidual LGL to 22 x that found on the majority of CD56 peripheral blood NK cells. The CD56bright cells in decidua show LGL morphology, whereas in peripheral blood, they are .mainly agranular. Proliferation of CD56+cells occurs predominantly during the nonpregnant secretory (luteal) phase, indicating these CD56+uterine LGL do not migrate as terminally differentiated cells. The appearance of CD56 cells was examined at the ultrastructural level using immunoelectron microscopy. Cells with phenotypic characteristics of decidual LGL occur in a higher percentage (1.11%) in the peripheral blood of women of reproductive age than in men (0.66%). On the basis of these results, it is proposed that the CD56bright+uterine leukocytes represent a distinctive, hormonally regulated subset possibly adapted to control human placentation.

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