In previous studies, high serum concentrations of manganese and nickel were established in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Increased level of exposure of the population of Ukraine to manganese and nickel has been demonstrated.
The objective of this study is studying the incidence of inflammatory processes and composition of vaginal bacterial flora in healthy women and in women with PCOS.
Materials and methods. The control group consisted of 57 women without reproductive system conditions and 64 women who had established PCOS according to the Rotterdam Consensus criteria. In both groups, the presence of sexually transmitted infections was excluded by PCR. The analysis of the incidence of inflammatory processes was carried out according to the microscopic characteristics of vaginal microbiocenosis. Vaginal microflora was examined by the culture method. Evaluation of the resulting validity was performed using Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test and χ2.
Results. Studies have shown that women with PCOS are much more likely to show signs of inflammatory processes in the vagina, as well as colonization of vagina with bacteria and fungi. Compared to control, lactobacilli are less common, while the diversity of bacterial flora is increasing, with a predominance of the representatives of intestinal flora (Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli) and Candida albicans. The analysis of quantitative parameters showed a significant decrease in Lactobacillus spp. (Р=0,0003), increase in Escherichia coli (Р=0,0026), Enterococcus faecalis (Р=0,0003), and Enterococcus Durans (Р=0,0272). Meanwhile, the quantitative parameters of other representatives of the vaginal microflora virtually did not change compared with the control.
Conclusion. Inflammatory processes in PCOS may not be associated with sexually transmitted infections or body mass index. Increased exposure to manganese and nickel can affect vaginal microflora and its individual representatives.
Key words: polycystic ovary syndrome, inflammation, microflora, vagina, manganese, nickel.
INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES AND POTENTIALLY PATHOGENIC MICROFLORA AT POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME UNDER CONDITIONS OF INCREASED EXPOSURE BY MANGANESE AND NICKEL
