scholarly journals Influence of Socio-Economic and Psychosocial Profiles on the Human Breast Milk Bacteriome of South African Women

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ojo-Okunola ◽  
Claassen-Weitz ◽  
Mwaikono ◽  
Gardner-Lubbe ◽  
Stein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
South African ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
African Women ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Human Breast ◽  
South African Women

The human breast milk (HBM) bacteriome is an important, continuous source of microbes to the neonate in early life, playing an important role in shaping the infant’s intestinal bacteriome. Study of the composition of the HBM bacteriome is an emerging area of research, with little information available, particularly from low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to characterize the diversity of bacterial communities in HBM samples collected between 6–10 weeks postpartum from lactating South African women and to study potential influencing factors of the bacteriome. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of samples from 554 women, we demonstrated that the HBM bacteriome was largely dominated by the phyla Firmicutes (mean relative abundance: 71.1%) and Actinobacteria (mean relative abundance: 16.4%). The most abundant genera identified from the HBM bacteriome were Streptococcus (mean relative abundance: 48.6%), Staphylococcus (mean relative abundance: 17.8%), Rothia (mean relative abundance: 5.8%), and Corynebacterium (mean relative abundance: 4.3%). “Core” bacterial genera including Corynebacterium, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Rothia, Veillonella, Gemella, Acinetobacter, Micrococcus and a genus belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family were present in 80% of samples. HBM samples were classified, according to their bacteriome, into three major clusters, dominated by the genera Staphylococcus (cluster 1), a combination of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus (cluster 2), and Streptococcus (cluster 3). The cluster groups differed significantly for Shannon and chao1 richness indices. Bacterial interactions were studied using co-occurrence networks with positive associations observed between the abundances of Staphylococcus and Corynebacteria (members of the skin microflora) and between Streptococcus, Rothia, Veillonella, and Gemella (members of the oral microflora). HBM from older mothers had a higher Shannon diversity index. The study site was associated with differences in HBM bacteriome composition (permutational multivariate analysis of variance using distance matrices (PERMANOVA), p < 0.05). No other tested socio-demographic or psychosocial factors were associated with HBM bacterial composition.

scholarly journals Identification of predominant culturable vaginal Lactobacillus species and associated bacteriophages from women with and without vaginal discharge syndrome in South Africa

2011 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard H. Damelin ◽  
Maria Paximadis ◽  
Demetra Mavri-Damelin ◽  
Monica Birkhead ◽  
David A. Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Vaginal Discharge ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
African Women ◽  
Lactobacillus Species ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Normal Microflora ◽  
Lactobacillus Jensenii ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
South African Women

Lactobacillus jensenii, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus iners, Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus vaginalis were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as the predominant culturable vaginal Lactobacillus species in a group of South African women, comprising 24, 22, 10, 10 and 9 %, respectively. A significant effect of vaginal discharge syndrome (VDS) and bacterial vaginosis (BV) on the distribution of predominant Lactobacillus species was observed. Whilst L. crispatus isolates were almost equally distributed between individuals with and without VDS and were not significantly reduced in women with BV versus normal microflora, L. jensenii isolates were significantly reduced in women with VDS (P=0.022) and reduced in women with BV versus normal microflora (P=0.053). Unlike L. crispatus, L. jensenii isolates were also significantly reduced in women with BV-associated VDS versus women without VDS and with normal microflora (P=0.051). In addition, lysogeny was commonly observed for L. crispatus, with 77 % of isolates yielding phage particles with contractile and non-contractile tails. Only 29 % of L. jensenii isolates yielded phage particles, and these were visible as tailless or podo-like particles.

scholarly journals Microbial function and genital inflammation in young South African women at high risk of HIV infection

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arghavan Alisoltani ◽  
Monalisa T. Manhanzva ◽  
Matthys Potgieter ◽  
Christina Balle ◽  
Liam Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
African Women ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Peptidoglycan Biosynthesis ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
South African Women

AbstractBackgroundFemale genital tract (FGT) inflammation is an important risk factor for HIV acquisition. The FGT microbiome is closely associated with inflammatory profile, however, the relative importance of microbial activities has not been established. Since proteins are key elements representing actual microbial functions, this study utilized metaproteomics to evaluate the relationship between FGT microbial function and inflammation in 113 young and adolescent South African women at high risk of HIV infection. Women were grouped as having low, medium or high FGT inflammation by K-means clustering according to pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations.ResultsA total of 3,186 microbial and human proteins were identified in lateral vaginal wall swabs using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, while 94 microbial taxa were included in the taxonomic analysis. Both metaproteomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyses showed increased non-optimal bacteria and decreased lactobacilli in women with FGT inflammatory profiles. However, differences in the predicted relative abundance of most bacteria were observed between 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metaproteomics analyses. Bacterial protein functional annotations (gene ontology) predicted inflammatory cytokine profiles more accurately than bacterial relative abundance determined by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, as well as functional predictions based on 16S rRNA gene sequence data (p<0.0001). The majority of microbial biological processes were underrepresented in women with high inflammation compared to those with low inflammation, including a Lactobacillus-associated signature of reduced cell wall organization and peptidoglycan biosynthesis. This signature remained associated with high FGT inflammation in a subset of 74 women nine weeks later, was upheld after adjusting for Lactobacillus relative abundance, and was associated with in vitro inflammatory cytokine responses to Lactobacillus isolates from the same women. Reduced cell wall organization and peptidoglycan biosynthesis were also associated with high FGT inflammation in an independent sample of ten women.ConclusionsBoth the presence of specific microbial taxa in the FGT and their properties and activities are critical determinants of FGT inflammation. Our findings support those of previous studies suggesting that peptidoglycan is directly immunosuppressive, and identify a possible avenue for biotherapeutic development to reduce inflammation in the FGT. To facilitate further investigations of microbial activities, we have developed the FGT-METAP application that is available at (http://immunodb.org/FGTMetap/).

scholarly journals Microbial function and genital inflammation in young South African women at high risk of HIV infection

Microbiome ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arghavan Alisoltani ◽  
Monalisa T. Manhanzva ◽  
Matthys Potgieter ◽  
Christina Balle ◽  
Liam Bell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokine ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
African Women ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Peptidoglycan Biosynthesis ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
South African Women

Abstract Background Female genital tract (FGT) inflammation is an important risk factor for HIV acquisition. The FGT microbiome is closely associated with inflammatory profile; however, the relative importance of microbial activities has not been established. Since proteins are key elements representing actual microbial functions, this study utilized metaproteomics to evaluate the relationship between FGT microbial function and inflammation in 113 young and adolescent South African women at high risk of HIV infection. Women were grouped as having low, medium, or high FGT inflammation by K-means clustering according to pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations. Results A total of 3186 microbial and human proteins were identified in lateral vaginal wall swabs using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, while 94 microbial taxa were included in the taxonomic analysis. Both metaproteomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyses showed increased non-optimal bacteria and decreased lactobacilli in women with FGT inflammatory profiles. However, differences in the predicted relative abundance of most bacteria were observed between 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metaproteomics analyses. Bacterial protein functional annotations (gene ontology) predicted inflammatory cytokine profiles more accurately than bacterial relative abundance determined by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, as well as functional predictions based on 16S rRNA gene sequence data (p < 0.0001). The majority of microbial biological processes were underrepresented in women with high inflammation compared to those with low inflammation, including a Lactobacillus-associated signature of reduced cell wall organization and peptidoglycan biosynthesis. This signature remained associated with high FGT inflammation in a subset of 74 women 9 weeks later, was upheld after adjusting for Lactobacillus relative abundance, and was associated with in vitro inflammatory cytokine responses to Lactobacillus isolates from the same women. Reduced cell wall organization and peptidoglycan biosynthesis were also associated with high FGT inflammation in an independent sample of ten women. Conclusions Both the presence of specific microbial taxa in the FGT and their properties and activities are critical determinants of FGT inflammation. Our findings support those of previous studies suggesting that peptidoglycan is directly immunosuppressive, and identify a possible avenue for biotherapeutic development to reduce inflammation in the FGT. To facilitate further investigations of microbial activities, we have developed the FGT-DB application that is available at http://fgtdb.org/.

scholarly journals Temporal Changes in Vaginal Microbiota and Genital Tract Cytokines Among South African Women Treated for Bacterial Vaginosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andile Mtshali ◽  
James Emmanuel San ◽  
Farzana Osman ◽  
Nigel Garrett ◽  
Christina Balle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
South African ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
African Women ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Short Term ◽  
South African Women

The standard treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV) with oral metronidazole is often ineffective, and recurrence rates are high among African women. BV-associated anaerobes are closely associated with genital inflammation and HIV risk, which underscores the importance of understanding the interplay between vaginal microbiota and genital inflammation in response to treatment. In this cohort study, we therefore investigated the effects of metronidazole treatment on the vaginal microbiota and genital cytokines among symptomatic South African women with BV [defined as Nugent score (NS) ≥4] using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multiplex bead arrays. Among 56 BV-positive women, we observed short-term BV clearance (NS &lt;4) in a proportion of women six weeks after metronidazole treatment, with more than half of these experiencing recurrence by 12 weeks post-treatment. BV treatment temporarily reduced the relative abundance of BV-associated anaerobes (particularly Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae) and increased lactobacilli species (mainly L. iners), resulting in significantly altered mucosal immune milieu over time. In a linear mixed model, the median concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were significantly reduced in women who cleared BV compared to pre-treatment. BV persistence and recurrence were strongly associated with mucosal cytokine profiles that may increase the risk of HIV acquisition. Concentrations of these cytokines were differentially regulated by changes in the relative abundance of BVAB1 and G. vaginalis. We conclude that metronidazole for the treatment of BV induced short-term shifts in the vaginal microbiota and mucosal cytokines, while treatment failures promoted persistent elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in the genital tract. These data suggest the need to improve clinical management of BV to minimize BV related reproductive risk factors.

Occurrence of bacteria with technological and probiotic potential in Argentinian human breast-milk

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Oddi ◽  
A. Binetti ◽  
P. Burns ◽  
A. Cuatrin ◽  
J. Reinheimer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Raw 264.7 Macrophages ◽  
Probiotic Potential ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Technological Potential ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequencing

Breast milk can be a source of potential probiotic bacteria, but the technological capacity of isolates obtained from this source is not always guaranteed. We aimed at isolating lactobacilli from breast milk samples collected in Argentina, focusing on isolates with functional and technological potential as probiotics. Fourteen Lactobacillus and one Bifidobacterium isolates were obtained from 164 samples donated by 104 mothers. The isolates preliminarily identified by MALDI-TOF, and then the identity was confirmed by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Hydrophobicity was determined (hexadecane and xylene partition). The strains were also co-cultured with murine RAW 264.7 macrophages for screening the capacity to induce the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10. Hydrophobicity ranged from 7.4 and 95.9%. The strains Lactobacillus gasseri (70a and 70c) and Lactobacillus plantarum (73a and 73b) were the strains with a higher capacity to induce IL-10 production by macrophages. The technological application was evaluated by freezing dried in 10% lactose or 10% polydextrose. The survival was assessed after accelerated (37 °C, 4 weeks) or long-term (5 and 25 °C, 12 months) storage. Except for Lactobacillus gallinarum 94d, strains lost less than 1 Log10 order cfu/g after long-term (12 months) storage at 5 °C in lactose and polydextrose as protectants. A low correlation between survival to accelerated and long-term storage tests was observed. L. gasseri (70a and 70c) and L. plantarum (73a and 73b) deserve further studies as potential probiotics due to their capacity to induce IL-10 from murine macrophages and their hydrophobicity. In special, L. plantarum 73a was able to confer enhanced protection against Salmonella infection by promoting the immunity of the small intestine.

scholarly journals KAJIAN MOLEKULER PADA PROBIOTIK ASAL AIR SUSU IBU DALAM SINTESIS EKSOPOLISAKARIDA (EPS)

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-123
Author(s):  
Hamiyawati Qoimatu Dini Alfaruqi ◽  
Nosa Septiana Anindita ◽  
Arif Bimantara
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Universal Primers ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Human Breast ◽  
Adhesion Ability ◽  
The 16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Selection Of

Molecular Studies on Probiotic of Human Breast Milk in the Synthesis of Exopolysaccharide (EPS)  The glucosyltransferase (gtf) gene has an important role in exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesis in probiotic bacteria. The EPS produced is associated with the adhesion ability of bacteria to the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, the gtf gene can be used as a parameter in the selection of potential probiotic through a molecular approach. This study was conducted to determine the presence of the gtf gene in probiotic from human breast milk using PCR technique. The methods in this study include the following: reculture of probiotic isolates, DNA isolation, amplification of the 16S rRNA gene using universal primers (pA and pB), amplification of specific LAB primers (LABfw and LABrv), specific primary design for the gtf gene, and the amplification of the gtf gene. The results of 16S rRNA gene amplification using universal primers obtained the amplicons of 500-1,000 bp in size. The results of amplification using specific LAB primers obtained an amplicon of about 700 bp in all isolates. The results of amplification of the gtf gene using a specific primer produced an amplicon of 325 bp in all isolates. Based on this study, it was concluded that 16 probiotic isolates from human breast milk were proven to have the gtf gene. Gen glukosiltransferase (gtf) memiliki peran penting dalam sintesis eksopolisakarida (EPS) pada bakteri probiotik. EPS yang diproduksi berhubungan dengan kemampuan adhesi bakteri pada mukosa usus. Oleh karena itu, gen gtf dapat dijadikan sebagai salah satu parameter dalam seleksi probiotik potensial melalui pendekatan molekuler. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui adanya gen gtf pada probiotik asal air susu ibu (ASI) menggunakan teknik PCR. Metode pada penelitian ini meliputi: reculture isolat probiotik, isolasi DNA, amplifikasi gen 16S rRNA menggunakan primer universal (pA dan pB), amplifikasi primer spesifik BAL (LABfw dan LABrv), desain primer spesifik untuk gen gtf dan amplifikasi gen gtf. Hasil amplifikasi gen 16S rRNA menggunakan primer universal diperoleh amplikon berukuran antara 500-1.000 bp. Adapun hasil amplifikasi menggunakan primer spesifik BAL diperoleh amplikon berukuran sekitar 700 bp pada seluruh isolat. Hasil amplifikasi gen gtf menggunakan primer spesifik menghasilkan amplikon berukuran sekitar 325 bp pada seluruh isolat. Berdasarkan penelitian ini dapat disimpulkan bahwa 16 isolat probiotik asal ASI terbukti memiliki gen gtf.

scholarly journals DNA extraction approaches substantially influence the assessment of the human breast milk microbiome

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe A. Douglas ◽  
Kerry L. Ivey ◽  
Lito E. Papanicolas ◽  
Karen P. Best ◽  
Beverly S. Muhlhausler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
Dna Extraction ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Human Breast ◽  
Dna Yield ◽  
Commensal Microbiota ◽  
Milk Samples

AbstractIn addition to providing nutritional and bioactive factors necessary for infant development, human breast milk contains bacteria that contribute to the establishment of commensal microbiota in the infant. However, the composition of this bacterial community differs considerably between studies. We hypothesised that bacterial DNA extraction methodology from breast milk samples are a substantial contributor to these inter-study differences. We tested this hypothesis by applying five widely employed methodologies to a mock breast milk sample and four individual human breast milk samples. Significant differences in DNA yield and purity were observed between methods (P < 0.05). Microbiota composition, assessed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, also differed significantly with extraction methodology (P < 0.05), including in the contribution of contaminant signal. Concerningly, many of the bacterial taxa identified here as contaminants have been reported as components of the breast milk microbiome in other studies. These findings highlight the importance of using stringent, well-validated, DNA extraction methodologies for analysis of the breast milk microbiome, and exercising caution interpreting microbiota data from low-biomass contexts.

scholarly journals Contributions to human breast milk microbiome and enteromammary transfer of Bifidobacterium breve

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kattayoun Kordy ◽  
Thaidra Gaufin ◽  
Martin Mwangi ◽  
Fan Li ◽  
Chiara Cerini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
Anaerobic Bacteria ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Shotgun Metagenomics ◽  
Breastfed Infants ◽  
Skin Contact ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequencing

AbstractIncreasing evidence supports the importance of the breast milk microbiome in seeding the infant gut. However, the origin of bacteria in milk and the process of milk microbe-mediated seeding of infant intestine need further elucidation. Presumed sources of bacteria in milk include locations of mother-infant and mother-environment interactions. We investigate the role of mother-infant interaction on breast milk microbes. Shotgun metagenomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified milk microbes of mother-infant pairs in breastfed infants and in infants that have never latched. Although breast milk has low overall biomass, milk microbes play an important role in seeding the infant gut. Breast milk bacteria were largely comprised of Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Acinetobacter, and Enterobacter primarily derived from maternal areolar skin and infant oral sites in breastfeeding pairs. This suggests that the process of breastfeeding is a potentially important mechanism for propagation of breast milk microbes through retrograde flux via infant oral and areolar skin contact. In one infant delivered via Caesarian section, a distinct strain of Bifidobacteria breve was identified in maternal rectum, breast milk and the infant’s stool potentially suggesting direct transmission. This may support the existence of microbial translocation of this anaerobic bacteria via the enteromammary pathway in humans, where maternal bacteria translocate across the maternal gut and are transferred to the mammary glands. Modulating sources of human milk microbiome seeding potentially imply opportunities to ultimately influence the development of the infant microbiome and health.

scholarly journals Gut microbiota comparison of vaginally and cesarean born infants exclusively breastfed by mothers secreting α1–2 fucosylated oligosaccharides in breast milk

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0246839
Author(s):  
Karina M. Tonon ◽  
Tania B. Morais ◽  
Carla R. Taddei ◽  
Humberto B. Araújo-Filho ◽  
Ana Cristina F. V. Abrão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Milk ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Fecal Microbiota ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Alpha And Beta Diversity ◽  
Secretor Status ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequencing

Background Exclusive breastfeeding promotes beneficial modifications on the microbiota of cesarean born infants, but little is known about the role of specific breast milk components in this modulation. Women with an active FUT2 gene (called secretors) secrete α1–2 fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which promote Bifidobacterium in the infant’s gut and may modulate the microbiota of cesarean born infants. Objective To compare the microbiota composition of cesarean and vaginally born infants breastfed by secretor mothers. Methods Maternal secretor status was determined by the occurrence of 4 different α1–2 fucosylated HMOs in breast milk by LC-MS. The fecal microbiota composition from cesarean and vaginally born infants was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and qPCR, stratified by the maternal secretor status, and compared. Results Alpha and beta diversity were not significantly different in cesarean born, secretor-fed infants (CSe+) compared to vaginally born, secretor-fed infants (VSe+). There were no significant differences in the fecal relative abundance of Bifidobacterium between CSe+ and VSe+ infants, but the prevalence of the species B. longum was lower in CSe+. The fecal relative abundance of Bacteroides was also lower, while Akkermansia and Kluyvera were higher in CSe+ infants. Conclusion Cesarean and vaginally born infants fed with breast milk containing the α1–2 fucosylated HMOs fraction present similar amounts of Bifidobacterium in the feces, but differences are observed in other members of the microbiota.

scholarly journals Factors associated with the composition and diversity of the cervical microbiota of reproductive-age Black South African women: a retrospective cross-sectional study

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harris Onywera ◽  
Anna-Lise Williamson ◽  
Zizipho Z.A. Mbulawa ◽  
David Coetzee ◽  
Tracy L. Meiring
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
African Women ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Black South African ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
South African Women

Background Lactobacillus spp. are common bacteria in the cervical and vaginal microbiota (CVM) and are thought to represent a “healthy” cervicovaginal state. Several studies have found an independent association between ethnicity/race and cervical and vaginal microbiota (CVM) composition. Women of sub-Saharan African descent appear to be significantly more likely to have non-Lactobacillus-dominated CVM compared to women of European descent. The factors contributing to these differences remain to be fully elucidated. The CVM of Black South African women and factors influencing their CVM remain understudied. In this study, we characterized the cervical microbiota of reproductive-age South African women and assessed the associations of these microbiota with participants’ metadata. Methods The cervical microbiota from cervical DNA of 62 reproductive-age women were profiled by Ion Torrent sequencing the V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and analyzed with the Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME), UPARSE, and metagenomeSeq tools. Associations between cervical microbiota and participants’ metadata were assessed using GraphPad Prism, R packages and an in-house script. Results The cervical microbiota clustered into three distinct community state types (CSTs): Lactobacillus iners-dominated cervical microbiota (CST I (38.7%, 24/62)), unclassified Lactobacillus-dominated cervical microbiota (CST II (4.8%, 3/62)), and diverse cervical microbiota (CST III (56.5%, 35/62)) with an array of heterogeneous bacteria, predominantly the bacterial vaginosis (BV)-associated Gardnerella, Prevotella, Sneathia, and Shuttleworthia. CST III was associated with BV (p = 0.001). Women in CST I were more likely to be on hormonal contraception, especially progestin-based, compared to women in CST III (odds ratio: 5.2 (95% CI [1.6–17.2]); p = 0.005). Women on hormonal contraception had a significantly lower alpha (Shannon indices: 0.9 (0.2–1.9) versus 2.3 (0.6–2.3); p = 0.025) and beta (permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) pseudo-F statistic =4.31, p = 0.019) diversity compared to non-users. There was no significant difference in the alpha (Shannon indices: 1.0 (0.3–2.2) versus 1.9 (0.3–2.2); p = 0.483) and beta (PERMANOVA pseudo-F statistic = 0.89, p = 0.373) diversity in women with versus without human papillomavirus infection. Conclusions The majority of Black women in our study had non-Lactobacillus-dominated cervical microbiota. Additional studies are needed to examine whether such microbiota represent abnormal, intermediate or variant states of health. Lastly, the association of hormonal contraception with L. iners dominance requires further in-depth research to confirm this association, determine its biological mechanism and whether it has a beneficial effect on the cervicovaginal health.

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