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Gao H, Liu Q, Wang X, Li T, Li H, Li G, Tan L, Chen Y. Deciphering the role of female reproductive tract microbiome in reproductive health: a review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1351540. [PMID: 38562966 PMCID: PMC10982509 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1351540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Relevant studies increasingly indicate that female reproductive health is confronted with substantial challenges. Emerging research has revealed that the microbiome interacts with the anatomy, histology, and immunity of the female reproductive tract, which are the cornerstone of maintaining female reproductive health and preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Currently, the precise mechanisms underlying their interaction and impact on physiological functions of the reproductive tract remain elusive, constituting a prominent area of investigation within the field of female reproductive tract microecology. From this new perspective, we explore the mechanisms of interactions between the microbiome and the anatomy, histology, and immunity of the female reproductive tract, factors that affect the composition of the microbiome in the female reproductive tract, as well as personalized medicine approaches in managing female reproductive tract health based on the microbiome. This study highlights the pivotal role of the female reproductive tract microbiome in maintaining reproductive health and influencing the occurrence of reproductive tract diseases. These findings support the exploration of innovative approaches for the prevention, monitoring and treatment of female reproductive tract diseases based on the microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Gao
- Nursing Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Qiao Liu
- School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xiaolan Wang
- Center for a Combination of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Huanhuan Li
- Department of Gynaecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Genlin Li
- Center for a Combination of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Lingling Tan
- Nursing Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yahui Chen
- School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Yuanbo Z, Tianyi L, Xuejing S, Xinpeng L, Jianqun W, Wenxia X, Jingshu G. Using formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue to characterize the microbiota in p16-positive and p16-negative tongue squamous cell carcinoma: a pilot study. BMC Oral Health 2024; 24:283. [PMID: 38419008 PMCID: PMC10900712 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04051-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is the most common oral cavity cancer, and p16 immunohistochemistry is an exact and available tool in the prognostic and predictive characterization of squamous cell cancers in the head and neck. Microorganisms have a close relationship with the development of TSCC. However, the association between oral bacteria and p16 status has not been well defined in the case of TSCC. Compared with traditional clinical microbial collection methods, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples have several advantages. METHODS To compare the microbiota compositions between p16-positive and p16-negative patients with TSCC, we performed a small pilot study of microbiological studies of TSCC by paraffin tissue. DNA from FFPE tissue blocks were extracted and microbiomes were profiled by sequencing the 16 S-rRNA-encoding gene (V1-V2/V3-V4/V4 regions). Alterations in the functional potential of the microbiome were predicted using PICRUSt, Tax4Fun, and BugBase. RESULTS A total of 60 patients with TSCC were enrolled in the study, however, some challenges associated with DNA damage in FFPE tissues existed, and only 27 (15 p16-positive and 12 p16-negative) passed DNA quality control. Nevertheless, we have tentatively found some meaningful results. The p16 status is associated with microbiota diversity, which is significantly increased in p16-positive patients compared with p16-negative patients. Desulfobacteria, Limnochordia, Phycisphaerae, Anaerolineae, Saccharimonadia and Kapabacteria had higher abundances among participants with p16-positive. Moreover, functional prediction revealed that the increase of these bacteria may enhance viral carcinogenesis in p16-positive TSCC. CONCLUSIONS Bacterial profiles showed a significant difference between p16-positive TSCC and p16-negative TSCC. These findings may provide insights into the relationship between p16 status and the microbial taxa in TSCC, and these bacteria may provide new clues for developing therapeutic targets for TSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan Yuanbo
- Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosa, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, Harbin, China
- Institute of Hard Tissue Development and Regeneration, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Liu Tianyi
- Department of Pathology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Song Xuejing
- Harbin Institute of Technology Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Liu Xinpeng
- Institute of Hard Tissue Development and Regeneration, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wang Jianqun
- Institute of Hard Tissue Development and Regeneration, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xu Wenxia
- Institute of Hard Tissue Development and Regeneration, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Geng Jingshu
- Department of pathology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, Harbin, China.
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Austin GI, Kav AB, Park H, Biermann J, Uhlemann AC, Korem T. Processing-bias correction with DEBIAS-M improves cross-study generalization of microbiome-based prediction models. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.09.579716. [PMID: 38405914 PMCID: PMC10888995 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.09.579716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Every step in common microbiome profiling protocols has variable efficiency for each microbe. For example, different DNA extraction kits may have different efficiency for Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. These variable efficiencies, combined with technical variation, create strong processing biases, which impede the identification of signals that are reproducible across studies and the development of generalizable and biologically interpretable prediction models. "Batch-correction" methods have been used to alleviate these issues computationally with some success. However, many make strong parametric assumptions which do not necessarily apply to microbiome data or processing biases, or require the use of an outcome variable, which risks overfitting. Lastly and importantly, existing transformations used to correct microbiome data are largely non-interpretable, and could, for example, introduce values to features that were initially mostly zeros. Altogether, processing bias currently compromises our ability to glean robust and generalizable biological insights from microbiome data. Here, we present DEBIAS-M (Domain adaptation with phenotype Estimation and Batch Integration Across Studies of the Microbiome), an interpretable framework for inference and correction of processing bias, which facilitates domain adaptation in microbiome studies. DEBIAS-M learns bias-correction factors for each microbe in each batch that simultaneously minimize batch effects and maximize cross-study associations with phenotypes. Using benchmarks of HIV and colorectal cancer classification from gut microbiome data, and cervical neoplasia prediction from cervical microbiome data, we demonstrate that DEBIAS-M outperforms batch-correction methods commonly used in the field. Notably, we show that the inferred bias-correction factors are stable, interpretable, and strongly associated with specific experimental protocols. Overall, we show that DEBIAS-M allows for better modeling of microbiome data and identification of interpretable signals that are reproducible across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- George I. Austin
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Program for Mathematical Genomics, Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aya Brown Kav
- Program for Mathematical Genomics, Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Heekuk Park
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jana Biermann
- Program for Mathematical Genomics, Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anne-Catrin Uhlemann
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tal Korem
- Program for Mathematical Genomics, Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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4
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Dong YH, Luo YH, Liu CJ, Huang WY, Feng L, Zou XY, Zhou JY, Li XR. Changes in microbial composition and interaction patterns of female urogenital tract and rectum in response to HPV infection. J Transl Med 2024; 22:125. [PMID: 38303030 PMCID: PMC10832222 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04916-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that changes in the microbial community of the female urogenital tract are associated with Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, research on this association was mostly focused on a single site, and there are currently few joint studies on HPV infection and multiple sites in the female urogenital tract. METHODS We selected 102 healthy women from Yunnan Province as the research object, collected cervical exfoliation fluid, vaginal, urethral, and rectal swabs for microbial community analysis, and measured bacterial load, and related cytokine content. The link between HPV, microbiota, and inflammation was comprehensively evaluated using bioinformatics methods. FINDINGS The impact of HPV infection on the microbial composition of different parts varies. We have identified several signature bacterial genera that respond to HPV infection in several detection sites, such as Corynebacterium, Lactobacillus, Campylobacter, and Cutibacterium have been detected in multiple sites, reflecting their potential significance in cross body sites HPV infection responses. There was a solid microbial interaction network between the cervix, vagina, and urethra. The interrelationships between inflammatory factors and different bacterial genera might also affect the immune system's response to HPV infection. INTERPRETATION It might be an effective strategy to prevent and treat HPV infection by simultaneously understanding the correlation between the microbial changes in multiple parts of the female urogenital tract and rectum and HPV infection, and controlling the microbial network related to HPV infection in different parts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Hong Dong
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Yu-Hua Luo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Chen-Jian Liu
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Wen-Yu Huang
- Changchun Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Changchun, 130012, Jilin, China
| | - Lin Feng
- Guangdong Hybribio Biotech Co., Ltd., Chaozhou, 521000, Guangdong, China
| | - Xing-Yuan Zou
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Jin-Yan Zhou
- Pediatrics Department, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650051, Yunnan, China.
| | - Xiao-Ran Li
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China.
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Ron R, Moreno E, Rosas Cancio-Suárez M, Serrano-Villar S. The microbiome as a biomarker of anal precancerous lesions in people with HIV. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2024; 37:17-25. [PMID: 37889583 DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Early detection and treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related anal dysplasia in some high-risk groups can help anal cancer prevention, but new tools to improve diagnostic and risk assessment are needed. Here, we aim to discuss the evidence on the role of the microbiome as a potential biomarker for anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) in people with HIV (PWH). RECENT FINDINGS This review covers relevant studies on the links between the microbiome and HPV infection, cervical dysplasia/cancer, and anal HPV disease. It focuses on anal samples and precancerous lesions. SUMMARY The review highlights the promising potential of the anal microbiome as a novel biomarker for precancerous lesions in people with HIV, while also discussing limitations and future research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Ron
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain, CIBERINFEC
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Głowienka-Stodolak M, Bagińska-Drabiuk K, Szubert S, Hennig EE, Horala A, Dąbrowska M, Micek M, Ciebiera M, Zeber-Lubecka N. Human Papillomavirus Infections and the Role Played by Cervical and Cervico-Vaginal Microbiota-Evidence from Next-Generation Sequencing Studies. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:399. [PMID: 38254888 PMCID: PMC10814012 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review encompasses studies examining changes in the cervical and cervico-vaginal microbiota (CM and CVM) in relation to human papillomavirus (HPV) using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. HPV infection remains a prominent global health concern, with a spectrum of manifestations, from benign lesions to life-threatening cervical cancers. The CM and CVM, a unique collection of microorganisms inhabiting the cervix/vagina, has emerged as a critical player in cervical health. Recent research has indicated that disruptions in the CM and CVM, characterized by a decrease in Lactobacillus and the overgrowth of other bacteria, might increase the risk of HPV persistence and the progression of cervical abnormalities. This alteration in the CM or CVM has been linked to a higher likelihood of HPV infection and cervical dysplasia. NGS technology has revolutionized the study of the cervical microbiome, providing insights into microbial diversity, dynamics, and taxonomic classifications. Bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing, has proven invaluable in characterizing the cervical microbiome, shedding light on its role in HPV infections and paving the way for more tailored strategies to combat cervical diseases. NGS-based studies offer personalized insights into an individual's cervical microbiome. This knowledge holds promise for the development of novel diagnostic tools, targeted therapies, and preventive interventions for cervix-related conditions, including cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Głowienka-Stodolak
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-S.); (K.B.-D.); (E.E.H.); (M.D.)
| | - Katarzyna Bagińska-Drabiuk
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-S.); (K.B.-D.); (E.E.H.); (M.D.)
| | - Sebastian Szubert
- Division of Gynaecological Oncology, Department of Gynaecology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland; (S.S.); (A.H.)
| | - Ewa E. Hennig
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-S.); (K.B.-D.); (E.E.H.); (M.D.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Oncology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Horala
- Division of Gynaecological Oncology, Department of Gynaecology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland; (S.S.); (A.H.)
| | - Michalina Dąbrowska
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-S.); (K.B.-D.); (E.E.H.); (M.D.)
| | - Martyna Micek
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland; (M.M.); (M.C.)
- Warsaw Institute of Women’s Health, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michał Ciebiera
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland; (M.M.); (M.C.)
- Warsaw Institute of Women’s Health, 00-189 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Natalia Zeber-Lubecka
- Department of Genetics, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, 02-781Warsaw, Poland; (M.G.-S.); (K.B.-D.); (E.E.H.); (M.D.)
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Clinical Oncology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland
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Toro-Ascuy D, Cárdenas JP, Zorondo-Rodríguez F, González D, Silva-Moreno E, Puebla C, Nunez-Parra A, Reyes-Cerpa S, Fuenzalida LF. Microbiota Profile of the Nasal Cavity According to Lifestyles in Healthy Adults in Santiago, Chile. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1635. [PMID: 37512807 PMCID: PMC10384449 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11071635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The respiratory microbiome is dynamic, varying between anatomical niches, and it is affected by various host and environmental factors, one of which is lifestyle. Few studies have characterized the upper respiratory tract microbiome profile according to lifestyle. We explored the association between lifestyles and microbiota profiles in the upper respiratory tract of healthy adults. METHODS We analyzed nasal samples from 110 healthy adults who were living in Santiago, Chile, using 16S ribosomal RNA gene-sequencing methods. Volunteers completed a structured questionnaire about lifestyle. RESULTS The composition and abundance of taxonomic groups varied across lifestyle attributes. Additionally, multivariate models suggested that alpha diversity varied in the function of physical activity, nutritional status, smoking, and the interaction between nutritional status and smoking, although the significant impact of those variables varied between women and men. Although physical activity and nutritional status were significantly associated with all indexes of alpha diversity among women, the diversity of microbiota among men was associated with smoking and the interaction between nutritional status and smoking. CONCLUSIONS The alpha diversity of nasal microbiota is associated with lifestyle attributes, but these associations depend on sex and nutritional status. Our results suggest that future studies of the airway microbiome may provide a better resolution if data are stratified for differences in sex and nutritional status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Toro-Ascuy
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910060, Chile
| | - Juan P Cárdenas
- Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580745, Chile
- Escuela de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580745, Chile
| | - Francisco Zorondo-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Gestión Agraria, Facultad Tecnológica, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago 8910060, Chile
| | - Damariz González
- Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580745, Chile
| | - Evelyn Silva-Moreno
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910060, Chile
| | - Carlos Puebla
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910060, Chile
| | - Alexia Nunez-Parra
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910060, Chile
| | - Sebastián Reyes-Cerpa
- Centro de Genómica y Bioinformática, Facultad de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580745, Chile
- Escuela de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias, Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad Mayor, Santiago 8580745, Chile
| | - Loreto F Fuenzalida
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago 8910060, Chile
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Zhou Z, Hou Y, Qing W, Shi Y, Zhang Y, Chen R, Ou J, Zhou H, Chen M. The association of HPV infection and vaginal microbiota of reproductive women in China: A multicenter cohort study protocol. MEDICINE IN MICROECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medmic.2022.100072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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Primary and Triage Cervical Screening Diagnostic Value of Methods for the Detection of Cervical Dysplasia. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:1930102. [PMID: 36164451 PMCID: PMC9509218 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1930102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background. Cervical cancer is a leading cause of mortality among women globally. Approaches to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality are “screen-and-treat,” where positive primary test only is used in the treatment and “screen, triage and treat,” where treatment is based on positive primary and triage tests with/without histological analysis. Objectives. To determine cervical screening outcomes among HIV-infected and noninfected women using VIA, Pap smear, and HPV-PCR cervical screening methods and to determine the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of VIA, Pap smear, and HPV-PCR as primary test and sequential triage based on abnormal histopathology among HIV-infected and noninfected women. Methodology. This was a comparative cross-sectional study where women aged 18-46 years women underwent cervical screening and colposcopy-biopsy test as a positive-confirmatory test in the Referral Hospitals of Eastern Kenya. Results. A total of 317 (HIV negative: 156/317 (49.2%) and HIV positive: 161/317 (50.8%)) women were enrolled. Of these 81/317 (25.6%), 84/317 (26.5%), 96/317 (30.2%), and 78/122 (63.9%) participants had VIA, HPV DNA-PCR, Pap smear, and cervical histology positive results, respectively; average: 27.4% (HIV positive: 21.5%; HIV negative: 5.9%). Majority of women with LSIL [17/317 (5.4%)], HSIL [22/317 (6.9%)], invasive cancer [5/317 (1.6%)], cervicitis [45/317 (14.2%], and candidiasis 47/317 (14.8%) were HIV-infected (
). 78/317 (24.6%) participants had positive histology test [ASCUS: 34/317 (10.7%) CIN1:17/317 (5.3%), CIN2: 16/317 (5.0%), CIN3:6/317 (1.9%), and ICC: 5/317 (1.6%)] (
). A higher primary diagnostic accuracy was established by HPV DNA-PCR (sensitivity: 95.5%; specificity: 92.6%) than Pap smear and VIA test while in triage testing, high sensitivity was obtained by HPV DNA-PCR parallel testing with VIA test (92.6%) and Pap smear test (92.7%) and VIA cotesting with Pap smear (99.9%). HIV-infected women had increased specificity and reduced sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy by both primary and triage testing approaches. Discussion. Abnormal cervical screening outcome was high among HIV-infected than noninfected women. HIV-infected women had significantly high cases of cervical neoplastic changes. The diagnostic value of primary tests increased upon concurrent testing with other test methods hence reducing the number of women who would have been referred for biopsy. Conclusion. High sensitivity and specificity in detection of CIN+ were established among HIV-infected than HIV noninfected women by HPV DNA-PCR and Pap smear than VIA test. HPV DNA-PCR test and Pap smear are more accurate in primary and sequential triage cervical screening based on abnormal histopathology outcomes among HIV-infected than noninfected women.
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BV associated bacteria specifically BVAB 1 and BVAB 3 as biomarkers for HPV risk and progression of cervical neoplasia. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol 2022; 2022:9562937. [PMID: 35996693 PMCID: PMC9392619 DOI: 10.1155/2022/9562937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with high-risk HPV (hrHPV) genotypes. There is a proposed bidirectional relationship between hrHPV and vaginal microbial diversity. This study investigated the association between BV associated bacteria in women co-infected with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hrHPV. Methods Stored cervical cytobrush samples were used for real time PCR detection of eight BV associated bacteria. Analysis of BV bacteria detected against HPV infection, socio-demographics and HIV data were conducted in R Statistical computing software of the R Core Team, 2020, version 3.6.3. Results A total of 190 samples were analysed. A. vaginae (p <0.001) BVAB 1 (p <0.001), BVAB 2 (p =0.428), BVAB 3 (p <0.001), Lactobacillus species (p =0.016) and S. sanguinegens (p =0.007) were associated with prevalent hrHPV. Increasing CIN severity was independently associated with detection of BVAB 1 OR 1.51(95% CI: 0.42-5.55), BVAB 3 OR 2.72(95% CI:0.90-8.55) and S. sanguinegens OR 1.02(95% CI:0.37-2.80). All HPV genotypes/groups, gravida <2, A. vaginae (p =0.002) and BVAB 1 (p =0.026) were significantly associated with HPV persistence. BVAB 3, p =0.010 and HPV 16 were significantly associated with HPV reinfection. Conclusion There is a significant association of A. vaginae, BVAB 1, BVAB 3, S. sanguinegens and Lactobacillus spp to prevalent hrHPV. BVAB 1, BVAB 3 and S. sanguinegens had an increased odds for increasing CIN severity. A vaginae, BVAB 1, gravida and all the HPV genotypes/groups were significantly associated with HPV persistence. Only BVAB 3 and HPV 16 were significantly associated with hrHPV reinfection at 1 year review. BVAB 1 and BVAB 3 are possible biomarkers for HPV infection and CIN progression.
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Radzey N, Harryparsad R, Meyer B, Chen PL, Gao X, Morrison C, Taku O, Williamson A, Mehou‐Loko C, Lefebvre d'Hellencourt F, Buck G, Smit J, Strauss J, Nanda K, Ahmed K, Beksinska M, Serrano M, Bailey V, Masson L, Deese J. Genital inflammatory status and the innate immune response to contraceptive initiation. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 88:e13542. [PMID: 35394678 PMCID: PMC10909525 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Data on the effects of contraceptives on female genital tract (FGT) immune mediators are inconsistent, possibly in part due to pre-existing conditions that influence immune mediator changes in response to contraceptive initiation. METHODS This study included 161 South African women randomised to injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), copper intrauterine device (IUD), or levonorgestrel (LNG) implant in the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) trial. We measured thirteen cytokines and antimicrobial peptides previously associated with HIV acquisition in vaginal swabs using Luminex and ELISA, before, and at 1 and 3 months after contraceptive initiation. Women were grouped according to an overall baseline inflammatory profile. We evaluated modification of the relationships between contraceptives and immune mediators by baseline inflammation, demographic, and clinical factors. RESULTS Overall, LNG implant and copper IUD initiation were associated with increases in inflammatory cytokines, while no changes were observed following DMPA-IM initiation. However, when stratifying by baseline inflammatory profile, women with low baseline inflammation in all groups experienced significant increases in inflammatory cytokines, while those with a high baseline inflammatory profile experienced no change or decreases in inflammatory cytokines. CONCLUSION We conclude that pre-contraceptive initiation immune profile modifies the effect of contraceptives on the FGT innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Radzey
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM)University of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Rushil Harryparsad
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM)University of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Bahiah Meyer
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM)University of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | | | | | | | - Ongeziwe Taku
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM)University of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Anna‐Lise Williamson
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM)University of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Celia Mehou‐Loko
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM)University of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | | | - Gregory Buck
- Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Jennifer Smit
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyUniversity of the WitwatersrandDurbanSouth Africa
| | | | | | - Khatija Ahmed
- Setshaba Research CentreTshwaneSouth Africa
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | - Mags Beksinska
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologyUniversity of the WitwatersrandDurbanSouth Africa
| | | | | | - Lindi Masson
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM)University of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Disease Elimination Program, Life Sciences DisciplineBurnet InstituteMelbourneAustralia
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South AfricaDurbanSouth Africa
- Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Jennifer Deese
- RTI InternationalResearch Triangle ParkNorth CarolinaUSA
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12
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Onywera H, Mabunda SA, Williamson AL, Mbulawa ZZA. Microbiological and behavioral determinants of genital HPV infections among adolescent girls and young women warrant the need for targeted policy interventions to reduce HPV risk. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2022; 4:887736. [PMID: 36303664 PMCID: PMC9580722 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2022.887736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in most populations globally. Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) remain a key population group at risk for HPV infection. However, the risk factors of HPV infection among AGYW, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are a subject of little investigation in published literature. Here, we investigated the factors associated with HPV infection among unvaccinated South African AGYW with a high HPV burden (prevalence: 76.1%). METHODS We retrospectively recruited 213 AGYW learners (aged 15-25 years) from a previous cross-sectional study, the HPV Education Intervention Study, conducted in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), bacterial pathobionts, genital ulcers (due to infectious causes), candidiasis, and bacterial vaginosis (BV) in the self-collected vaginal specimens were determined using the Allplex™ Panel Assays. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA v16.1. Continuous and categorical variables were computed by t-test /Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests, respectively. Logistic regression was used to determine the univariable predictors of HPV infection. RESULTS The overall detection rate of any viral STI, bacterial STI, pathobiont, genital ulcer, candidiasis, and BV among the AGYW was 75.0, 34.4, 90.7, 14.4, 26.9, and 43.6%, respectively. The main factors associated with HPV infection were alcohol consumption (p = 0.005), infection with any and multiple Candida species (p = 0.011 and 0.006, respectively), Candida albicans infection (p = 0.010), Ureaplasma urealyticum pathobiont infection (p = 0.044), BV-associated bacteria (specifically Atopobium vaginae: p = 0.039, BV-associated bacteria 2: p = 0.021, Gardnerella vaginalis: p = 0.021, Megasphaera type 1: p = 0.037), and BV (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Our study, albeit not necessarily generalizable, found social behavior as well as specific vaginal microbes as correlates of HPV infection among AGYW in South Africa. There is a need to investigate HPV epidemiology in other AGYW populations. The factors associated with genital HPV infection among AGYW burdened with HPV infection necessitate the need to formulate and implement population-specific public health strategies for creating HPV awareness and reducing its risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harris Onywera
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Research, Innovations, and Academics Unit, Tunacare Services Health Providers Limited, Nairobi, Kenya
- Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
| | - Sikhumbuzo A. Mabunda
- SAMRC/UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SAMRC/UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Zizipho Z. A. Mbulawa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SAMRC/UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha, South Africa
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
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13
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Ntuli L, Mtshali A, Mzobe G, Liebenberg LJP, Ngcapu S. Role of Immunity and Vaginal Microbiome in Clearance and Persistence of Human Papillomavirus Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:927131. [PMID: 35873158 PMCID: PMC9301195 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.927131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer disproportionately affects women of reproductive age, with 80% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes has been described as the most common non-systemic biological risk factor for the development of cervical cancer. The mucosal immune system plays a significant role in controlling HPV infection by acting as the first line of host defense at the mucosal surface. However, the virus can evade host immunity using various mechanisms, including inhibition of the antiviral immune response necessary for HPV clearance. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and the vaginal microbiome coordinate cell-mediated immune responses and play a pivotal role in modulating immunity. Recently, diverse vaginal microbiome (associated with bacterial vaginosis) and genital inflammation have emerged as potential drivers of high-risk HPV positivity and disease severity in women. The potential role of these risk factors on HPV recurrence and persistence remains unclear. This article reviews the role of cellular or cytokine response and vaginal microbiome dysbiosis in the clearance, persistence, and recurrence of HPV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lungelo Ntuli
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Andile Mtshali
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Gugulethu Mzobe
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Lenine JP Liebenberg
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Sinaye Ngcapu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Sinaye Ngcapu,
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14
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Taku O, Onywera H, Mbulawa ZZA, Businge CB, Meiring TL, Williamson AL. Molecular Identification of Cervical Microbes in HIV-Negative and HIV-Positive Women in an African Setting Using a Customized Bacterial Vaginosis Microbial DNA Quantitative PCR (qPCR) Array. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0222921. [PMID: 35647888 PMCID: PMC9241767 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02229-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common polymicrobial vaginal disorder that is associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Several studies have utilized broad-range 16S rRNA gene PCR assays with sequence analysis to characterize cervicovaginal bacterial communities of women with healthy and diseased conditions. With the high burden of BV and STIs among African women, there is a need for targeted PCR assays that can rapidly determine the true epidemiological profile of key cervical microbes, including BV-associated bacteria, and a need to explore the utility of such assays for microbiological diagnosis of BV. Here, we used a taxon-directed 16S rRNA gene quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to examine the prevalences and determinants of specific cervical microbes among African women with and without HIV infection. Cervical samples were collected using a cytobrush from 162 women (aged ≥30 years) attending a community-based clinic in Eastern Cape, South Africa. The samples were screened for specific microbes (i.e., STIs, emerging sexually transmitted pathogens [pathobionts], and BV-associated bacteria) using a customized bacterial vaginosis microbial DNA qPCR array. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism v6.01. Chi-square/Fisher's exact tests were used to evaluate the determinants associated with specific cervical microbes. Only 145 women had any detectable microbes and were included in the analysis. Lactobacillus iners (62.8%) and specific BV-associated bacteria, namely, Gardnerella vaginalis (58.6%), Atopobium vaginae (40.7%), and the pathobiont Ureaplasma parvum (37.9%), were the most prevalent microbes. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that 42.8% of the women (62/145) had a diverse array of heterogeneously distributed bacteria typically linked to BV. Women with detectable Lactobacillus species, specifically Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus jensenii, and to a lesser extent L. iners, had very low prevalence of BV-associated bacteria. Although the cumulative burden of STIs/pathobionts was 62.8%, Chlamydia trachomatis (3.4%), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (4.8%), and Trichomonas vaginalis (4.8%) were detected at low rates. HIV infection was associated with the presence of STIs/pathobionts (P = 0.022) and L. iners (P = 0.003). Prevalent STIs/pathobionts were associated with having multiple partners in the past 12 months (n ≥ 2, P = 0.015), high number of lifetime sexual partners (n ≥ 3, P = 0.007), vaginal sex in the past month (P = 0.010), and decreasing age of women (P = 0.005). C. trachomatis was associated with increasing age among HIV-positive women (P = 0.016). The pathobiont Ureaplasma urealyticum was inversely associated with age of women in the whole cohort (P = 0.018). The overall prevalence of STIs/pathobionts was high and was associated with HIV infection and sexual behavior. Our study helps us to understand the epidemiological trend of STIs and pathobionts and highlights the need to understand the impact of sexual networks on STI and pathobiont transmission and prevention among women in an African setting. IMPORTANCE Bacterial vaginosis (BV), whose etiology remains a matter of controversy, is a common vaginal disorder among reproductive-age women and can increase the risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). African women bear a disproportionately high burden of STIs and BV. Using a targeted quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay, a customized bacterial vaginosis microbial DNA qPCR array, we examined the prevalences and determinants of key cervical microbes, including BV-associated bacteria and emerging sexually transmitted pathogens (pathobionts) among women of African descent aged between 30 and 75 years. High-risk behaviors were associated with a higher prevalence of STIs/pathobionts, suggesting the need to better understand the influence of sexual networks on STI and pathobiont transmission and prevention among women. Our molecular assay is important in the surveillance of BV-associated bacteria, pathobionts, and STIs as well as diagnostic microbiology of BV. Furthermore, our research contributes to a better understanding of the epidemiology of STIs and pathobionts in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ongeziwe Taku
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Healthcare-Associated Infections, Antimicrobial Resistance and Mycoses (CHARM), National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Harris Onywera
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Research, Innovations, and Academics Unit, Tunacare Services Health Providers Limited, Nairobi, Kenya
- Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
| | - Zizipho Z. A. Mbulawa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT-MRC Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha, South Africa
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Charles B. Businge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha, South Africa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Tracy L. Meiring
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Research and Innovation, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya
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15
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Alimena S, Davis J, Fichorova RN, Feldman S. The vaginal microbiome: A complex milieu affecting risk of human papillomavirus persistence and cervical cancer. Curr Probl Cancer 2022; 46:100877. [PMID: 35709613 DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2022.100877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to describe the existing literature regarding the relationship between the vaginal microbiome, human papillomavirus persistence, and cervical cancer risk, as well as to discuss factors that mediate these relationships. Data suggest that alterations in the vaginal microbiome affect the risk of human papillomavirus infection and persistence, which has downstream effects on cervical dysplasia and cancer risk. The homeostatic Lactobillus species L. crispatus, L. gasseri, L. jensenii act to promote a healthy vaginal environment, while L. iners and pathogens causing bacterial vaginosis are associated with increased inflammation, human papillomavirus infection, cervical dysplasia, and potentially cancer. There are, however, still several large gaps in the literature, particularly related to the modifiable and non-modifiable factors that affect the vaginal microbiome and ensuing risk of pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions. Evidence currently suggests that endogenous and exogenous hormones, tobacco products, and sexual practices influence vaginal microbiome composition, but the nuances of these relationships and how changes in these factors affect dysplasia risk are yet to be delineated. Other studies examining how diet, exercise, race, socioeconomic status, and genetic factors influence the vaginal microbiome are difficult to interpret in the setting of multiple confounders. Future studies should focus on how changes in these modulatory factors might promote a healthy vaginal microbiome to prevent or treat dysplasia in the lower female genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Alimena
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | | | - Raina N Fichorova
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sarah Feldman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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16
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Pérez-González A, Cachay E, Ocampo A, Poveda E. Update on the Epidemiological Features and Clinical Implications of Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Coinfection. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10051047. [PMID: 35630489 PMCID: PMC9147826 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10051047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide. Although most HPV infections will spontaneously resolve, a considerable proportion of them will persist, increasing the risk of anogenital dysplasia, especially within certain populations, such as patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Furthermore, high-risk oncogenic HPV types (HR-HPV) are the main cause of cervix and other anogenital cancers, such as cancer of the vagina, vulva, penis, or anus. HIV and HPV coinfection is common among people living with HIV (PLWH) but disproportionally affects men who have sex with men (MSM) for whom the rate of persistent HPV infection and reinfection is noteworthy. The molecular interactions between HIV and HPV, as well as the interplay between both viruses and the immune system, are increasingly being understood. The immune dysfunction induced by HIV infection impairs the rate of HPV clearance and increases its oncogenic risk. Despite the availability of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), the incidence of several HPV-related cancers is higher in PLWH, and the burden of persistent HPV-related disease has become a significant concern in an aging HIV population. Several public health strategies have been developed to reduce the transmission of HIV and HPV and mitigate the consequences of this type of coinfection. Universal HPV vaccination is the most effective preventive tool to reduce the incidence of HPV disease. In addition, screening programs for HPV-related cervical and vulvovaginal diseases in women are well-recognized strategies to prevent cervical cancer. Similarly, anal dysplasia screening programs are being implemented worldwide for the prevention of anal cancer among PLWH. Herein, the main epidemiological features and clinical implications of HIV and HPV coinfection are reviewed, focusing mainly on the relationship between HIV immune status and HPV-related diseases and the current strategies used to reduce the burden of HPV-related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Pérez-González
- Group of Virology and Pathogenesis, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), 36312 Vigo, Spain;
- Infectious Disease Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, 36312 Vigo, Spain;
- Correspondence:
| | - Edward Cachay
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Antonio Ocampo
- Infectious Disease Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, 36312 Vigo, Spain;
| | - Eva Poveda
- Group of Virology and Pathogenesis, Galicia Sur Health Research Institute (IIS Galicia Sur), 36312 Vigo, Spain;
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17
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Tamanai-Shacoori Z, Le Gall-David S, Moussouni F, Sweidan A, Polard E, Bousarghin L, Jolivet-Gougeon A. SARS-CoV-2 and Prevotella spp.: friend or foe? A systematic literature review. J Med Microbiol 2022; 71. [PMID: 35511246 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
During this global pandemic of the COVID-19 disease, a lot of information has arisen in the media and online without scientific validation, and among these is the possibility that this disease could be aggravated by a secondary bacterial infection such as Prevotella, as well as the interest or not in using azithromycin, a potentially active antimicrobial agent. The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic literature review, to prove or disprove these allegations by scientific arguments. The search included Medline, PubMed, and Pubtator Central databases for English-language articles published 1999-2021. After removing duplicates, a total of final eligible studies (n=149) were selected. There were more articles showing an increase of Prevotella abundance in the presence of viral infection like that related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Papillomavirus (HPV), Herpesviridae and respiratory virus, highlighting differences according to methodologies and patient groups. The arguments for or against the use of azithromycin are stated in light of the results of the literature, showing the role of intercurrent factors, such as age, drug consumption, the presence of cancer or periodontal diseases. However, clinical trials are lacking to prove the direct link between the presence of Prevotella spp. and a worsening of COVID-19, mainly those using azithromycin alone in this indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Tamanai-Shacoori
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, INRAE, CHU Rennes, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer), F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Sandrine Le Gall-David
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, INRAE, CHU Rennes, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer), F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Fouzia Moussouni
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, INRAE, CHU Rennes, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer), F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Alaa Sweidan
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath Campus, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elisabeth Polard
- Teaching Hospital Rennes, Service de Pharmacovigilance, F-35033 Rennes, France
| | - Latifa Bousarghin
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, INRAE, CHU Rennes, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer), F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Anne Jolivet-Gougeon
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, INRAE, CHU Rennes, Institut NUMECAN (Nutrition Metabolisms and Cancer), F-35000 Rennes, France
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Immunological Aspects of Human Papilloma Virus-Related Cancers Always Says, “I Am like a Box of Complexity, You Never Know What You Are Gonna Get”. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10050731. [PMID: 35632488 PMCID: PMC9144219 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause different cancers in both men and women. The virus interferes with functions of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus in the anogenital area, breast, and head and neck cancer due to the local lesions. The tumors lead to death if not treated as a result of distant metastasis to internal organs and brain. Moreover, HPV attenuates the immune system during chronic infection and releases viral antigens into the tumor microenvironment. The tumors know how difficult is to win the battle with a strong united army of immune cells that are equipped with cytokines and enzymes. They confuse the immune cells with secreting viral antigens. The immune system is equipped with cytokines, a complement system, antibodies, and other secretory proteins to overcome the foreign invaders and viral antigens. However, the majority of the time, tumors win the battle without having all the equipment of the immune cells. Thus, in this review, we describe the recent progression in cellular and humoral immunity studies during the progression of HPV-related cancers. First of all, we describe the role of B, plasmoid cells, and B regulatory cells (Breg) in their functions in the tumor microenvironment. Then, different subtypes of T cells such as T CD8, CD4, T regulatory (Treg) cells were studied in recently published papers. Furthermore, NK cells and their role in tumor progression and prevention were studied. Finally, we indicate the breakthroughs in immunotherapy techniques for HPV-related cancers.
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Characterization of the Gastrointestinal and Reproductive Tract Microbiota in Fertile and Infertile Pakistani Couples. BIOLOGY 2021; 11:biology11010040. [PMID: 35053038 PMCID: PMC8773429 DOI: 10.3390/biology11010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary We describe microbial taxa associated with the gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts of married Pakistani couples. We highlight differences in microbial composition and diversity that are associated with fertile and infertile couples and provide a baseline for future in-depth studies to target the association of the human microbiome with infertility. Abstract The human microbiota is recognized as a vital “virtual” organ of the human body that influences human health, metabolism, and physiology. While the microbiomes of the gut, oral cavity, and skin have been extensively studied in the literature, relatively little work has been done on characterizing the microbiota of the human reproductive tract organs, and specifically on investigating its association to fertility. Here, we implemented a 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) amplicon sequencing approach to sequence and characterize the gut and genital tract microbiomes from several married Pakistani couples. The recruited individuals included 31 fertile and 35 infertile individuals, with ages ranging from 19–45 years. We identified several fluctuations in the diversity and composition of the gut and genital microbiota among fertile and infertile samples. For example, measures of α-diversity varied significantly between the genital samples donated by fertile and infertile men and there was overall greater between-sample variability in genital samples regardless of gender. In terms of taxonomic composition, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes fluctuated significantly between the gut microbiomes of fertile and infertile samples. Finally, biomarker analyses identified features (genera and molecular functions and pathways) that differed significantly between the fertile and infertile samples and in the past have been associated with bacterial vaginosis. However, we emphasize that 16S amplicon data alone has no bearing on individual health and is merely representative of microbial taxonomic differences that could also arise due to multiple other factors. Our findings, however, represent the first effort to characterize the microbiome associated with fertile and infertile couples in Pakistan and will hopefully pave the way for more comprehensive and broad-scale investigations in the future.
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Allali I, Abotsi RE, Tow LA, Thabane L, Zar HJ, Mulder NM, Nicol MP. Human microbiota research in Africa: a systematic review reveals gaps and priorities for future research. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:241. [PMID: 34911583 PMCID: PMC8672519 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01195-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of the human microbiome in health and disease is an emerging and important area of research; however, there is a concern that African populations are under-represented in human microbiome studies. We, therefore, conducted a systematic survey of African human microbiome studies to provide an overview and identify research gaps. Our secondary objectives were: (i) to determine the number of peer-reviewed publications; (ii) to identify the extent to which the researches focused on diseases identified by the World Health Organization [WHO] State of Health in the African Region Report as being the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in 2018; (iii) to describe the extent and pattern of collaborations between researchers in Africa and the rest of the world; and (iv) to identify leadership and funders of the studies. METHODOLOGY We systematically searched Medline via PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, Africa-Wide Information through EBSCOhost, and Web of Science from inception through to 1st April 2020. We included studies that characterized samples from African populations using next-generation sequencing approaches. Two reviewers independently conducted the literature search, title and abstract, and full-text screening, as well as data extraction. RESULTS We included 168 studies out of 5515 records retrieved. Most studies were published in PLoS One (13%; 22/168), and samples were collected from 33 of the 54 African countries. The country where most studies were conducted was South Africa (27/168), followed by Kenya (23/168) and Uganda (18/168). 26.8% (45/168) focused on diseases of significant public health concern in Africa. Collaboration between scientists from the United States of America and Africa was most common (96/168). The first and/or last authors of 79.8% of studies were not affiliated with institutions in Africa. Major funders were the United States of America National Institutes of Health (45.2%; 76/168), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (17.8%; 30/168), and the European Union (11.9%; 20/168). CONCLUSIONS There are significant gaps in microbiome research in Africa, especially those focusing on diseases of public health importance. There is a need for local leadership, capacity building, intra-continental collaboration, and national government investment in microbiome research within Africa. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imane Allali
- Computational Biology Division, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Laboratory of Human Pathologies Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, and Genomic Centre of Human Pathologies, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Regina E Abotsi
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Lemese Ah Tow
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lehana Thabane
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Biostatistics Unit, Father Sean O'Sullivan Research Centre, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Paediatrics and Anaesthesia, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Evaluation of Medicine, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Heather J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- MRC Unit on Child & Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nicola M Mulder
- Computational Biology Division, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark P Nicol
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, M504, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
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21
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Andrade Pessoa Morales J, Marconi C, El-Zein M, Ravel J, da Silva Pinto GV, Silveira R, de Lima MD, de Carvalho NS, Figueiredo Alves RR, de Lima Parada CMG, Morais Leite SH, Villa LL, Franco EL, Guimarães da Silva M. Vaginal microbiome components as correlates of cervical human papillomavirus infection. J Infect Dis 2021; 226:1084-1097. [PMID: 34718662 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiab547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interplay between vaginal microbiome and human papillomavirus (HPV) remains unclear, partly due to heterogeneity of the microbiota. METHODS We used data from 546 women enrolled in a cross-sectional study conducted in five Brazilian regions. We genotyped vaginal samples for HPV and sequenced V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene for vaginal microbiome analysis. We used stepwise logistic regression to construct two linear scores to predict high-risk HPV (hrHPV) positivity: one based exclusively on presence of individual bacterial taxa (microbiome-based [MB] score) and the other exclusively on participants' sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical (SBC) characteristics. The MB score combined coefficients of 30 (out of 116) species. The SBC score retained six out of 25 candidate variables. We constructed receiver operating characteristic curves for the scores as hrHPV correlates and compared areas under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Overall, prevalence of hrHPV was 15.8%, and 26.2% had a Lactobacillus-depleted microbiome. The AUCs were 0.8022 (CI:0.7517-0.8527) for MB score and 0.7027 (CI:0.6419-0.7636) for SBC score (P=0.0163). CONCLUSIONS The proposed MB score is strongly correlated with hrHPV positivity - exceeding the predictive value of behavioral variables - suggesting its potential as an indicator of infection and possible value for clinical risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Andrade Pessoa Morales
- Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Marconi
- Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Mariam El-Zein
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute of Genomic Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Rosana Silveira
- Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Moises Diogo de Lima
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Luisa L Villa
- Center for Translational Investigation in Oncology, Cancer Institute of São Paulo State, Medical School, São Paulo State University (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo L Franco
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Marcia Guimarães da Silva
- Department of Pathology, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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22
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Human Papillomavirus Types Associated with Cervical Dysplasia among HIV- and Non-HIV-Infected Women Attending Reproductive Health Clinics in Eastern Kenya. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:2250690. [PMID: 34589545 PMCID: PMC8476271 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2250690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes over 99% of all cervical cancer globally. In 2019, it was responsible for 3286 deaths in Kenya. Data on the epidemiological distribution of HPV genotypes by cervical dysplasia and HIV-infected women which is important in designing prevention strategy monitoring treatment and management of cervical cancer is lacking in Eastern Kenya. Objective To determine HPV genotype prevalence and their association with cervical dysplasia among HIV-infected (cases) and noninfected (control) women aged 18-48 years seeking reproductive healthcare. Methods A cervical broom was softly rotated 360 degrees five times to exfoliate cells from the region of the transformation zone, squamocolumnar junction, and endocervical canal for HPV genotyping. Social-demographic and risk factors responsible for HPV acquisition were collected using a questionnaire. Laboratory outcome and questionnaire data statistical relationships were computed using Pearson chi-square test. Results 317 women (cases: 161 (50.8%), control 156 (49.2%), mean age: 34.3,SD ± 10.4, range 18-46 years) were recruited from Embu (85/317 (26.8%)), Isiolo (64/317 (20.2%)), Kirinyaga (56/317 (17.7%)), Meru (81/317 (25.6%)), and Tharaka-Nithi (31/317 (9.8%)). The frequency HPV genotypes detected by cervical dysplasia were CIN1 (cases: HPV81 (12/317 (3.8%)), HPV11 (2/317 (0.6%)); control: HPV53 and 66 coinfection (1/317 (0.3%)), CIN2 (cases: HPV11, HPV16, HPV66 ((1/317 (0.3%) each), HPV81 (6/317 (1.9%)), and single case (1/317 (0.3%)) of HPV11 and 66, HPV81 and 44, HPV81 and 88, HPV9 and 53, and HPV16 and 58 coinfection; control: HPV81 (2/317 (0.6%)) and invasive cervical cancer (cases: HPV16 (1/317 (0.3%)) and HPV81 (3/317 (0.9%)); control: HPV16 and 66 (1/317 (0.3%))). Conclusions There was a higher frequency of both high-risk and low-risk HPV genotypes associated with cervical dysplasia among HIV-infected than HIV-uninfected women seeking reproductive health care. This study provides epidemiological data on the existence of nonvaccine HPV types associated with cervical dysplasia in the region.
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23
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Shibata T, Nakagawa M, Coleman HN, Owens SM, Greenfield WW, Sasagawa T, Robeson MS. Evaluation of DNA extraction protocols from liquid-based cytology specimens for studying cervical microbiota. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0237556. [PMID: 34460815 PMCID: PMC8404996 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical microbiota (CM) are considered an important factor affecting the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and are implicated in the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV). Collection of liquid-based cytology (LBC) samples is routine for cervical cancer screening and HPV genotyping and can be used for long-term cytological biobanking. We sought to determine whether it is possible to access microbial DNA from LBC specimens, and compared the performance of four different extraction protocols: (ZymoBIOMICS DNA Miniprep Kit; QIAamp PowerFecal Pro DNA Kit; QIAamp DNA Mini Kit; and IndiSpin Pathogen Kit) and their ability to capture the diversity of CM from LBC specimens. LBC specimens from 20 patients (stored for 716 ± 105 days) with CIN values of 2 or 3 were each aliquoted for each of the four kits. Loss of microbial diversity due to long-term LBC storage could not be assessed due to lack of fresh LBC samples. Comparisons with other types of cervical sampling were not performed. We observed that all DNA extraction kits provided equivalent accessibility to the cervical microbial DNA within stored LBC samples. Approximately 80% microbial genera were shared among all DNA extraction protocols. Potential kit contaminants were observed as well. Variation between individuals was a significantly greater influence on the observed microbial composition than was the method of DNA extraction. We also observed that HPV16 was significantly associated with community types that were not dominated by Lactobacillus iners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Shibata
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Mayumi Nakagawa
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Hannah N. Coleman
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Sarah M. Owens
- Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL, United States of America
| | - William W. Greenfield
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Toshiyuki Sasagawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kanazawa Medical University, Uchinada, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Michael S. Robeson
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
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24
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Onywera H, Anejo-Okopi J, Mwapagha LM, Okendo J, Williamson AL. Predictive functional analysis reveals inferred features unique to cervicovaginal microbiota of African women with bacterial vaginosis and high-risk human papillomavirus infection. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253218. [PMID: 34143825 PMCID: PMC8213166 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that Lactobacillus species may not necessarily be the sine qua non of healthy cervicovaginal microbiota (CVM), especially among reproductive-age African women. A majority of African women have high-diversity non-Lactobacillus-dominated CVM whose bacterial functions remain poorly characterized. Functional profiling of the CVM is vital for investigating human host-microbiota interactions in health and disease. Here, we investigated the functional potential of L. iners-dominated and high-diversity non-Lactobacillus-dominated CVM of 75 African women with and without bacterial vaginosis (BV) and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Functional contents were predicted using PICRUSt. Microbial taxonomic diversity, BV, and HR-HPV infection statuses were correlated with the inferred functional composition of the CVM. Differentially abundant inferred functional categories were identified using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe) (p-value <0.05 and logarithmic LDA score >2.0). Of the 75 women, 56 (74.7%), 35 (46.7%), and 29 (38.7%) had high-diversity non-Lactobacillus-dominated CVM, BV, and HR-HPV infection, respectively. Alpha diversity of the inferred functional contents (as measured by Shannon diversity index) was significantly higher in women with high-diversity non-Lactobacillus-dominated CVM and BV than their respective counterparts (H statistic ≥11.5, q-value <0.001). Ordination of the predicted functional metagenome content (using Bray-Curtis distances) showed that the samples segregated according to the extent of microbial taxonomic diversity and BV (pseudo-F statistic ≥19.6, q-value = 0.001) but not HR-HPV status (pseudo-F statistic = 1.7, q-value = 0.159). LEfSe analysis of the inferred functional categories revealed that transport systems (including ABC transporters) and transcription factors were enriched in high-diversity CVM. Interestingly, transcription factors and sporulation functional categories were uniquely associated with high-diversity CVM, BV, and HR-HPV infection. Our predictive functional analysis reveals features unique to high-diversity CVM, BV and HR-HPV infections. Such features may represent important biomarkers of BV and HR-HPV infection. Our findings require proof-of-concept functional studies to examine the relevance of these potential biomarkers in women's reproductive health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harris Onywera
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Research, Innovations, and Academics Unit, Tunacare Services Health Providers Limited, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joseph Anejo-Okopi
- Department of Microbiology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
- AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Lamech M. Mwapagha
- Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Javan Okendo
- Division of Chemical and Systems Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for Research in Therapeutic Sciences (CREATES), Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SAMRC Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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25
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Theis KR, Florova V, Romero R, Borisov AB, Winters AD, Galaz J, Gomez-Lopez N. Sneathia: an emerging pathogen in female reproductive disease and adverse perinatal outcomes. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 47:517-542. [PMID: 33823747 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.1905606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sneathia is an emerging pathogen implicated in adverse reproductive and perinatal outcomes. Although scarce, recent data suggest that vaginally residing Sneathia becomes pathogenic following its ascension into the upper urogenital tract, amniotic fluid, placenta, and foetal membranes. The role of Sneathia in women's health and disease is generally underappreciated because the cultivation of these bacteria is limited by their complex nutritional requirements, slow growth patterns, and anaerobic nature. For this reason, molecular methods are typically required for the detection and differential diagnosis of Sneathia infections. Here, we review the laboratory methods used for the diagnosis of Sneathia infections, the molecular mechanisms underlying its virulence, and its sensitivity to antibiotics. We further review the evidence of Sneathia's contributions to the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis, chorioamnionitis, preterm prelabour rupture of membranes, spontaneous preterm labour, stillbirth, maternal and neonatal sepsis, HIV infection, and cervical cancer. Collectively, growing evidence indicates that Sneathia represents an important yet underappreciated pathogen affecting the development and progression of several adverse clinical conditions diagnosed in pregnant women and their neonates, as well as in non-pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Theis
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Violetta Florova
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Andrei B Borisov
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Andrew D Winters
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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26
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Comparative genome analyses of Lactobacillus crispatus isolated from different ecological niches reveal an environmental adaptation of this species to the human vaginal environment. Appl Environ Microbiol 2021; 87:AEM.02899-20. [PMID: 33579685 PMCID: PMC8091109 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02899-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaginal microbiota is defined as the community of bacteria residing in the human vaginal tract. Recent studies have demonstrated that the vaginal microbiota is dominated by members of the Lactobacillus genus, whose relative abundance and microbial taxa composition are dependent on the healthy status of this human body site. Particularly, among members of this genus, the high prevalence of Lactobacillus crispatus is commonly associated with a healthy vaginal environment. In the current study, we assessed the microbial composition of 94 healthy vaginal microbiome samples through shotgun metagenomics analyses. Based on our results we observed that L. crispatus was the most representative species and correlated negatively with bacteria involved in vaginal infections. Therefore, we isolated fifteen L. crispatus strains from different environments in which this species is abounding, ranging from vaginal swabs of healthy women to chicken fecal samples. The genomes of these strains were decoded and their genetic content was analyzed and correlated with their physiological features. An extensive comparative genomic analysis encompassing all publicly available genome sequences of L. crispatus and combined with those decoded in this study, revealed a genetic adaptation of strains to their ecological niche. In addition, in vitro growth experiments involving all isolated L. crispatus strains together with a synthetic vaginal microbiota reveal how this species is able to modulate the composition of the vaginal microbial consortia at strain level. Overall, our findings suggest that L. crispatus plays an important ecological role in reducing the complexity of the vaginal microbiota by depleting pathogenic bacteria.Importance The vaginal microbiota is defined as the community of bacteria residing in the human vaginal tract. Recent studies have demonstrated that the high prevalence of Lactobacillus crispatus species is commonly associated with a healthy vaginal environment. In the current study, we assessed the microbial composition of 94 public healthy vaginal samples through shotgun metagenomics analyses. Results showed that L. crispatus was the most representative species and correlated negatively with bacteria involved in vaginal infections. Moreover, we isolated and sequenced the genome of new L. crispatus strains from different environments and the comparative genomics analysis revealed a genetic adaptation of strains to their ecological niche. In addition, in-vitro growth experiments display the capability of this species to modulate the composition of the vaginal microbial consortia. Overall, our findings suggest an ecological role exploited by L. crispatus in reducing the complexity of the vaginal microbiota toward a depletion of pathogenic bacteria.
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27
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Kang GU, Jung DR, Lee YH, Jeon SY, Han HS, Chong GO, Shin JH. Potential Association between Vaginal Microbiota and Cervical Carcinogenesis in Korean Women: A Cohort Study. Microorganisms 2021; 9:294. [PMID: 33572693 PMCID: PMC7912413 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Convincing studies demonstrated that vaginal flora is one of the most impactful key components for the well-being of the genital tract in women. Nevertheless, the potential capability of vaginal-derived bacterial communities as biomarkers to monitor cervical carcinogenesis (CC) has yet to be studied actively compared to those of bacterial vaginosis (BV). We hypothesized that vaginal microbiota might be associated with the progression of CC. In this study, we enrolled 23 participants, including healthy controls (HC group; n = 7), patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 and 3 (CIN group, n = 8), and patients with invasive cervical cancer (CAN group; n = 8). Amplicon sequencing was performed using the Ion Torrent PGM to characterize the vaginal microbiota. Patients with CIN and CAN presented vaginal microbiota dysbiosis compared with HC. The alpha diversity analysis revealed that CC has a trend to be increased in terms of diversity indexes. Moreover, CC was associated with the abundance of specific microbes, of which Lactobacillus and Gardnerella were the most significantly different between HC and CIN, whereas Streptococcus was differentially abundant in CAN compared with CIN. We then evaluated their diagnostic abilities. Testing in terms of diagnostic ability using the three genera revealed considerably high performance with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.982, 0.953, and 0.922. The current study suggests that the presence of Gardnerella and Streptococcus may be involved in the advancment of CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gi-Ung Kang
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea;
| | - Da-Ryung Jung
- Department of Biomedical Convergence Science & Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea;
| | - Yoon Hee Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41404, Korea; (Y.H.L.); (S.Y.J.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu 41404, Korea
| | - Se Young Jeon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41404, Korea; (Y.H.L.); (S.Y.J.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu 41404, Korea
| | - Hyung Soo Han
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41405, Korea;
| | - Gun Oh Chong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41404, Korea; (Y.H.L.); (S.Y.J.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu 41404, Korea
| | - Jae-Ho Shin
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea;
- Department of Biomedical Convergence Science & Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea;
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28
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Berggrund M, Gustavsson I, Aarnio R, Lindberg JH, Sanner K, Wikström I, Enroth S, Bunikis I, Olovsson M, Gyllensten U. Temporal changes in the vaginal microbiota in self-samples and its association with persistent HPV16 infection and CIN2. Virol J 2020; 17:147. [PMID: 33028395 PMCID: PMC7541248 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-020-01420-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The vaginal microbiota has been reported to be associated with HPV infection and cervical cancer. This study was performed to compare the vaginal microbiota at two timepoints in women performing self-sampling and had a persistent or transient HPV16 infection. The women were tested for 12 high-risk HPV (hrHPV) types but only women with single type (HPV16) were included to reduce confounding variables. Methods In total 96 women were included in this study. Of these, 26 were single positive for HPV16 in the baseline test and HPV negative in the follow-up test and 38 were single positive for HPV16 in both tests and diagnosed with CIN2+ in histology. In addition, 32 women that were negative for all 12 HPV tested were included. The samples of vaginal fluid were analyzed with the Ion 16S™ Metagenomics Kit and Ion 16S™ metagenomics module within the Ion Reporter™ software. Results K-means clustering resulted in two Lactobacillus-dominated groups, one with Lactobacillus sp. and the other specifically with Lactobacillus iners. The two remaining clusters were dominated by a mixed non-Lactobacillus microbiota. HPV negative women had lower prevalence (28%) of the non-Lactobacill dominant cluster in the baseline test, as compared to women with HPV16 infection (42%) (p value = 0.0173). Transition between clusters were more frequent in women with persistent HPV16 infection (34%) as compared in women who cleared the HPV16 infection (19%) (p value = 0.036). Conclusions The vaginal microbiota showed a higher rate of transitioning between bacterial profiles in women with persistent HPV16 infection as compared to women with transient infection. This indicate an instability in the microenvironment in women with persistent HPV infection and development of CIN2+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Berggrund
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Biomedical Center, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) Uppsala, Uppsala University, Box 815, 75108, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Inger Gustavsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Biomedical Center, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) Uppsala, Uppsala University, Box 815, 75108, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Riina Aarnio
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Julia Hedlund Lindberg
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Biomedical Center, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) Uppsala, Uppsala University, Box 815, 75108, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Sanner
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Wikström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Stefan Enroth
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Biomedical Center, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) Uppsala, Uppsala University, Box 815, 75108, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ignas Bunikis
- Uppsala Genome Center, Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Uppsala University, BMC, Box 815, 752 37, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Matts Olovsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulf Gyllensten
- Department of Immunology, Genetics, and Pathology, Biomedical Center, Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab) Uppsala, Uppsala University, Box 815, 75108, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Onywera H, Williamson AL, Cozzuto L, Bonnin S, Mbulawa ZZA, Coetzee D, Ponomarenko J, Meiring TL. The penile microbiota of Black South African men: relationship with human papillomavirus and HIV infection. BMC Microbiol 2020; 20:78. [PMID: 32252632 PMCID: PMC7137192 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-020-01759-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, the microbiota of the human penis has been studied mostly in connection with circumcision, HIV risk and female partner bacterial vaginosis (BV). These studies have shown that male circumcision reduces penile anaerobic bacteria, that greater abundance of penile anaerobic bacteria is correlated with increased cytokine levels and greater risk of HIV infection, and that the penile microbiota is an important harbour for BV-associated bacteria. While circumcision has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of acquiring human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the relationship of the penile microbiota with HPV is still unknown. In this study, we examined the penile microbiota of HPV-infected men as well as the impact of HIV status. RESULTS The penile skin microbiota of 238 men from Cape Town (South Africa) were profiled using Illumina sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Corynebacterium and Prevotella were found to be the most abundant genera. Six distinct community state types (CSTs) were identified. CST-1, dominated by Corynebacterium, corresponded to less infections with high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) relative to CSTs 2-6. Men in CST-5 had greater relative abundances of Prevotella, Clostridiales, and Porphyromonas and a lower relative abundance of Corynebacterium. Moreover, they were significantly more likely to have HPV or HR-HPV infections than men in CST-1. Using a machine learning approach, we identified greater relative abundances of the anaerobic BV-associated bacteria (Prevotella, Peptinophilus, and Dialister) and lower relative abundance of Corynebacterium in HR-HPV-infected men compared to HR-HPV-uninfected men. No association was observed between HIV and CST, although the penile microbiota of HIV-infected men had greater relative abundances of Staphylococcus compared to HIV-uninfected men. CONCLUSIONS We found significant differences in the penile microbiota composition of men with and without HPV and HIV infections. HIV and HR-HPV infections were strongly associated with greater relative abundances of Staphylococcus and BV-associated bacterial taxa (notably Prevotella, Peptinophilus and Dialister), respectively. It is possible that these taxa could increase susceptibility to HIV and HR-HPV acquisition, in addition to creating conditions in which infections persist. Further longitudinal studies are required to establish causal relationships and to determine the extent of the effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harris Onywera
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SAMRC Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Luca Cozzuto
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sarah Bonnin
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Zizipho Z A Mbulawa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- SAMRC Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, National Health Laboratory Service and Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Fort Gale, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - David Coetzee
- Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Julia Ponomarenko
- Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- University of Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tracy L Meiring
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Onywera H, Meiring TL. Comparative analyses of Ion Torrent V4 and Illumina V3-V4 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding methods for characterization of cervical microbiota: taxonomic and functional profiling. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
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31
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Klein C, Kahesa C, Mwaiselage J, West JT, Wood C, Angeletti PC. How the Cervical Microbiota Contributes to Cervical Cancer Risk in Sub-Saharan Africa. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:23. [PMID: 32117800 PMCID: PMC7028704 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite ongoing efforts, sub-Saharan Africa faces a higher cervical cancer burden than anywhere else in the world. Besides HPV infection, definitive factors of cervical cancer are still unclear. Particular states of the cervicovaginal microbiota and viral infections are associated with increased cervical cancer risk. Notably, HIV infection, which is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, greatly increases risk of cervicovaginal dysbiosis and cervical cancer. To better understand and address cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, a better knowledge of the regional cervicovaginal microbiome is required This review establishes current knowledge of HPV, HIV, cervicovaginal infections, and the cervicovaginal microbiota in sub-Saharan Africa. Because population statistics are not available for the region, estimates are derived from smaller cohort studies. Microbiota associated with cervical inflammation have been found to be especially prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, and to associate with increased cervical cancer risk. In addition to high prevalence and diversity of HIV and HPV, intracellular bacterial infections such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Mycoplasma hominis are much more common than in regions with a low burden of cervical cancer. This suggests the prevalence of cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa may be partially attributed to increased cervical inflammation resulting from higher likelihood of cervical infection and/or microbial dysbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Klein
- Nebraska Center for Virology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | | | | | - John T West
- Nebraska Center for Virology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Charles Wood
- Nebraska Center for Virology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Peter C Angeletti
- Nebraska Center for Virology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
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32
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Borgogna JC, Shardell MD, Santori EK, Nelson TM, Rath JM, Glover ED, Ravel J, Gravitt PE, Yeoman CJ, Brotman RM. The vaginal metabolome and microbiota of cervical HPV-positive and HPV-negative women: a cross-sectional analysis. BJOG 2019; 127:182-192. [PMID: 31749298 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Characterise the vaginal metabolome of cervical HPV-infected and uninfected women. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING The Center for Health Behavior Research at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. SAMPLE Thirty-nine participants, 13 categorised as HPV-negative and 26 as HPV-positive (any genotype; HPV+ ), 14 of whom were positive with at least one high-risk HPV strain (hrHPV). METHOD Self-collected mid-vaginal swabs were profiled for bacterial composition by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, metabolites by both gas and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, and 37 types of HPV DNA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Metabolite abundances. RESULTS Vaginal microbiota clustered into Community State Type (CST) I (Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated), CST III (Lactobacillus iners-dominated), and CST IV (low-Lactobacillus, 'molecular-BV'). HPV+ women had higher biogenic amine and phospholipid concentrations compared with HPV- women after adjustment for CST and cigarette smoking. Metabolomic profiles of HPV+ and HPV- women differed in strata of CST. In CST III, there were higher concentrations of biogenic amines and glycogen-related metabolites in HPV+ women than in HPV- women. In CST IV, there were lower concentrations of glutathione, glycogen, and phospholipid-related metabolites in HPV+ participants than in HPV- participants. Across all CSTs, women with hrHPV strains had lower concentrations of amino acids, lipids, and peptides compared with women who had only low-risk HPV (lrHPV). CONCLUSIONS The vaginal metabolome of HPV+ women differed from HPV- women in terms of several metabolites, including biogenic amines, glutathione, and lipid-related metabolites. If the temporal relation between increased levels of reduced glutathione and oxidised glutathione and HPV incidence/persistence is confirmed in future studies, anti-oxidant therapies may be considered as a non-surgical HPV control intervention. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Metabolomics study: Vaginal microenvironment of HPV+ women may be informative for non-surgical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Borgogna
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - M D Shardell
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - E K Santori
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - T M Nelson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.,Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - J M Rath
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland, School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA.,Truth Initiative, Washington, DC, USA
| | - E D Glover
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health, University of Maryland, School of Public Health, College Park, MD, USA
| | - J Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - P E Gravitt
- Department of Global Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - C J Yeoman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.,Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - R M Brotman
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Onywera H, Williamson AL, Mbulawa ZZA, Coetzee D, Meiring TL. 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; 7:e7488. [PMID: 31435492 PMCID: PMC6698374 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
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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Affiliation(s)
- Harris Onywera
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.,Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.,Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.,SAMRC Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Zizipho Z A Mbulawa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.,Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.,SAMRC Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.,Center for HIV & STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Service, University of Cape Town, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - David Coetzee
- Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Tracy L Meiring
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.,Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
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