Lactobacillus crispatus Dominant Vaginal Microbiome Is Associated with Inhibitory Activity of Female Genital Tract Secretions against Escherichia coli

Persistent infection with some types of mucosal human papillomavirus (HPV) is the etiological factor for the development of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions. Besides, several cofactors are known to play a role in cervical disease onset and progression either by favoring or by preventing HPV infection and persistence. The microbiome of a healthy female genital tract is characterized by the presence of 1 or few varieties of lactobacilli. However, high-throughput studies addressing the bacterial diversity and abundance in the female genital tract have shown that several factors, including hormonal levels, hygiene habits, and sexually transmitted diseases may disrupt the natural balance, favoring the outgrowth of some groups of bacteria, which in turn may favor some pathological states. Recently, the vaginal microbiome has emerged as a new variable that could greatly influence the natural history of HPV infections and their clinical impact. In this context, changes in the vaginal microbiome have been detected in women infected with HPV and women with HPV-associated lesions and cancer. However, the role of specific bacteria groups in the development/progression or prevention/regression of HPV-associated pathologies is not well understood. In this review we summarize the current knowledge concerning changes in vaginal microbiome and cervical disease. We discuss the potential functional interplay between specific bacterial groups and HPV infection outcomes.

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Role of sex hormones and the vaginal microbiome in susceptibility and mucosal immunity to HIV-1 in the female genital tract

AIDS Research and Therapy ◽

10.1186/s12981-017-0169-4 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Danielle Vitali ◽

Jocelyn M. Wessels ◽

Charu Kaushic

Keyword(s):

Sex Hormones ◽

Mucosal Immunity ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Female Genital Tract ◽

Vaginal Microbiome ◽

Hiv 1 ◽

Female Genital

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Vaginal microbiome-hormonal contraceptive interactions associate with the mucosal proteome and HIV acquisition

PLoS Pathogens ◽

10.1371/journal.ppat.1009097 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. e1009097

Author(s):

Laura Noël-Romas ◽

Michelle Perner ◽

Refilwe Molatlhegi ◽

Christina Farr Zuend ◽

Amanda Mabhula ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genital Tract ◽

Female Genital Tract ◽

Hormonal Contraceptive ◽

Hormonal Contraceptives ◽

Vaginal Microbiome ◽

Hiv Susceptibility ◽

Hiv Acquisition ◽

Risk Of Hiv Acquisition ◽

Microbiome Data ◽

Female Genital

Alterations to the mucosal environment of the female genital tract, such as genital inflammation, have been associated with increased HIV acquisition in women. As the microbiome and hormonal contraceptives can affect vaginal mucosal immunity, we hypothesized these components may interact in the context of HIV susceptibility. Using previously published microbiome data from 685 women in the CAPRISA-004 trial, we compared relative risk of HIV acquisition in this cohort who were using injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN), and combined oral contraceptives (COC). In women who were Lactobacillus-dominant, HIV acquisition was 3-fold higher in women using DMPA relative to women using NET-EN or COC (OR: 3.27; 95% CI: 1.24–11.24, P = 0.0305). This was not observed in non-Lactobacillus-dominant women (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.44–2.15, P = 0.895) (interaction P = 0.0686). Higher serum MPA levels associated with increased molecular pathways of inflammation in the vaginal mucosal fluid of Lactobacillus-dominant women, but no differences were seen in non-Lactobacillus dominant women. This study provides data suggesting an interaction between the microbiome, hormonal contraceptives, and HIV susceptibility.

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Psoriasin (S100A7) is a major Escherichia coli-cidal factor of the female genital tract

Mucosal Immunology ◽

10.1038/mi.2010.37 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 3 (6) ◽

pp. 602-609 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

M Mildner ◽

M Stichenwirth ◽

A Abtin ◽

L Eckhart ◽

C Sam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Female Genital Tract ◽

Female Genital

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Inhibition of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by Lactobacillus Species That Are Commonly Isolated from the Female Genital Tract

Infection and Immunity ◽

10.1128/iai.70.12.7169-7171.2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 70 (12) ◽

pp. 7169-7171 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Diane C. St. Amant ◽

Iris E. Valentin-Bon ◽

Ann E. Jerse

Keyword(s):

Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Female Genital Tract ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Lactobacillus Species ◽

Lactobacillus Crispatus ◽

Neutral Ph ◽

Lactobacillus Jensenii ◽

Ph Conditions ◽

Female Genital

ABSTRACT Epidemiological studies suggest H2O2-producing lactobacilli protect women against gonorrhea. Here we demonstrate that Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus jensenii, the most common lactobacilli in the female genital tract, inhibit gonococci in both acidic and neutral pH conditions. Inhibition was neutralized by bovine catalase, suggesting that H2O2 is the primary mediator of inhibition.

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Molecular Characterisation and Antibiogram of Vaginal Flora from Students Attending a Tertiary Institution in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

International Journal of Pathogen Research ◽

10.9734/ijpr/2021/v7i130173 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 17-27

Author(s):

T. Sampson ◽

N. P. Akani ◽

O. Aniwoko

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Sensitivity Analysis ◽

Genital Tract ◽

Female Genital Tract ◽

Bacterial Isolates ◽

Tertiary Institution ◽

Port Harcourt ◽

Rivers State ◽

Female Genital

The microbiome of the vagina is characterized by a community bacteria playing important roles in the overall health status of the female genital tract. This study was conducted to isolate and characterize bacteria from the female genital tract and as well evaluate the antibiotics susceptibility pattern of the vaginal bacterial isolates. For this purpose, a total of fifty (50) vaginal swab samples were collected (using sterile swab sticks) from females attending a tertiary institution in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, and subjected to standard bacteriological analysis. Antibiotics sensitivity analysis was carried out using the modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. A total of 160 bacterial isolates were obtained from the subjects of different age brackets in the study population. Molecular identification based on the nucleic acid sequence of the bacterial isolates revealed the isolates to be Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus flexus and Lysinibacillus macrolides. The result further showed that Escherichia coli was the most occurring bacterial isolate. Also, female subjects within the age bracket 21-23 years recorded the highest number of bacterial isolates (67) and 24-26 years had the least number of bacterial isolates (36). The antibiotic sensitivity analysis revealed that Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to 50% of the antibiotics tested, whereas Klebsiella pneumoniae was resistant to all (100% of) the antibiotics tested. The study has revealed that the vaginal microbiome of healthy female subjects is characterised by diverse species of bacteria, including opportunistic bacterial pathogens. The study therefore, recommended that regular screening for bacterial vaginosis as well as personal hygiene, sensitization programs to improve knowledge of women, should be encouraged.

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