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Zhao X, Shi W, Li Z, Zhang W. Linking reproductive tract microbiota to premature ovarian insufficiency: Pathophysiological mechanisms and therapies. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 166:104325. [PMID: 39265315 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104325] [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: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decade, research on the human microbiota has become a hot topic. Among them, the female reproductive tract (FRT) also has a specific microbiota that maintains the body's health and dynamic balance, especially in the reproductive aspect. When the FRT ecosystem is dysregulated, changes in immune and metabolic signals can lead to pathological and physiological changes such as chronic inflammation, epithelial barrier disruption, changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis, and dysregulation of angiogenesis and metabolism, thereby causing disruption of the female endocrine system. Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), a clinical syndrome of ovarian dysfunction, is primarily influenced by immune, genetic, and environmental factors. New evidence suggests that dysbiosis of the FRT microbiota and/or the presence of specific bacteria may contribute to the occurrence and progression of POI. This influence occurs through both direct and indirect mechanisms, including the regulation of estrogen metabolism. The use of probiotics or microbiota transplantation to regulate the microbiome has also been proven to be beneficial in improving ovarian function and the quality of life in women with premature aging. This article provides an overview of the interrelationships and roles between the FRT microbiome and POI in recent years, to fully understand the risk factors affecting female reproductive health, and to offer insights for the future diagnosis, treatment, and application of the FRT microbiome in POI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of traditional Chinese medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410000, PR China.
| | - Wenying Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of traditional Chinese medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410000, PR China.
| | - Zhengyu Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of traditional Chinese medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410000, PR China.
| | - Wei Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of traditional Chinese medicine, Changsha, Hunan 410000, PR China.
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Tas GG, Sati L. Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus species: considerations for female reproduction and offspring health. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024:10.1007/s10815-024-03230-6. [PMID: 39172320 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03230-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Lactobacillus rhamnosus is a type of bacteria known as a probiotic and is often used to support the health of the digestive system and vaginal flora. This type of bacteria has an important role, showing positive effects on female reproductive biology, particularly by maintaining the balance of microorganisms in the vagina, reducing the risk of infection, and strengthening the immune system to support maternal health during pregnancy. There are also studies showing that these probiotics prevent maternal obesity and gestational diabetes. Consuming probiotics containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains may support the intestinal health of breastfeeding mothers, but they may also contribute to the health of offspring. Therefore, this review focuses on the current available data for examining the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains on female reproductive biology and offspring health. A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases from inception to May 2024. The search strategy was performed using keywords and MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms. Inconsistent ratings were resolved through discussion. This review is strengthened by multiple aspects of the methodological approach. The systematic search strategy, conducted by two independent reviewers, enabled the identification and evaluation of all relevant literature. Although there is a limited number of studies with high heterogeneity, current literature highlights the important contribution of Lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotics in enhancing female reproductive health and fertility. Furthermore, the probiotic bacteria in breast milk may also support the intestinal health of newborn, strengthen the immune system, and protect them against diseases at later ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Gamze Tas
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Leyla Sati
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Campus, 07070, Antalya, Turkey.
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Maduta CS, McCormick JK, Dufresne K. Vaginal community state types (CSTs) alter environmental cues and production of the Staphylococcus aureus toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0044723. [PMID: 38334326 PMCID: PMC10955855 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00447-23] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS) is a rare but life-threatening disease associated with the use of high-absorbency tampons. The production of the Staphylococcus aureus toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) superantigen is involved in nearly all cases of mTSS and is tightly controlled by regulators responding to the environment. In the prototypic mTSS strain S. aureus MN8, the major repressor of TSST-1 is the carbon catabolite protein A (CcpA), which responds to glucose concentrations in the vaginal tract. Healthy vaginal Lactobacillus species also depend on glucose for both growth and acidification of the vaginal environment through lactic acid production. We hypothesized that interactions between the vaginal microbiota [herein referred to as community state types (CSTs)] and S. aureus MN8 depend on environmental cues and that these interactions subsequently affect TSST-1 production. Using S. aureus MN8 ΔccpA growing in various glucose concentrations, we demonstrate that the supernatants from different CSTs grown in vaginally defined medium (VDM) could significantly decrease tst expression. When co-culturing CST species with MN8 ∆ccpA, we show that Lactobacillus jensenii completely inhibits TSST-1 production in conditions mimicking healthy menstruation or mTSS. Finally, we show that growing S. aureus in "unhealthy" or "transitional" CST supernatants results in higher interleukin 2 (IL-2) production from T cells. These findings suggest that dysbiotic CSTs may encourage TSST-1 production in the vaginal tract and further indicate that the CSTs are likely important for the protection from mTSS.IMPORTANCEIn this study, we investigate the impact of the vaginal microbiota against Staphylococcus aureus in conditions mimicking the vaginal environment at various stages of the menstrual cycle. We demonstrate that Lactobacillus jensenii can inhibit toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) production, suggesting the potential for probiotic activity in treating and preventing menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS). On the other side of the spectrum, "unhealthy" or "transient" bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Lactobacillus iners support more TSST-1 production by S. aureus, suggesting that community state types are important in the development of mTSS. This study sets forward a model for examining contact-independent interactions between pathogenic bacteria and the vaginal microbiota. It also demonstrates the necessity of replicating the environment when studying one as dynamic as the vagina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla S. Maduta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - John K. McCormick
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karine Dufresne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Elsayed NS, Wolfe AJ, Burk RD. Urine microbiome in individuals with an impaired immune system. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1308665. [PMID: 38274734 PMCID: PMC10808152 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1308665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
With the advent of next generation sequencing, it is now appreciated that human urine is not sterile. Recent investigations of the urinary microbiome (urobiome) have provided insights into several urological diseases. Urobiome dysbiosis, defined as non-optimal urine microbiome composition, has been observed in many disorders; however, it is not clear whether this dysbiosis is the cause of urinary tract disorders or a consequence. In addition, immunologically altered disorders are associated with higher rates of urinary tract infections. These disorders include immunoproliferative and immunodeficiency diseases, cancer, and immunosuppressant therapy in transplant recipients. In this review, we examine the current state of knowledge of the urobiome in immunologically altered diseases, its composition and metabolomic consequences. We conclude that more data are required to describe the urobiome in immune altered states, knowledge that could facilitate understanding the role of the urobiome and its pathophysiological effects on urinary tract infections and other disorders of the urinary tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha S. Elsayed
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Alan J. Wolfe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Robert D. Burk
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Epidemiology and Population Health, and Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
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Thurman A, Hull ML, Stuckey B, Hatheway J, Zack N, Mauck C, Friend D. A phase 1/2, open-label, parallel group study to evaluate the preliminary efficacy and usability DARE-HRT1 (80 μg estradiol/4 mg progesterone and 160 μg estradiol/8 mg progesterone intravaginal RinGSM) over 12 weeks in healthy postmenopausal women. Menopause 2023; 30:940-946. [PMID: 37625088 PMCID: PMC10487358 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000002230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The exploratory objectives of this study were to evaluate the usability and acceptability and to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the efficacy of DARE-HRT1. DARE-HRT1 is an intravaginal ring (IVR) that releases 17β2-estradiol (E2) with progesterone (P4) over 28 days. It is the first combination E2 and P4 IVR being developed for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in healthy postmenopausal women with an intact uterus. METHODS This was a randomized, open-label, 2-arm, parallel group study in 21 healthy postmenopausal women. Women were randomized (1:1) to either DARE-HRT1 IVR1 (E2 80 μg/d with P4 4 mg/d) or DARE-HRT1 IVR2 (E2 160 μg/d with P4 8 mg/d). They used the assigned IVR for three 28-day cycles, inserting a new IVR monthly. Preliminary genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) treatment efficacy was estimated by measuring changes from baseline in vaginal pH, vaginal maturation index (VMI), and changes in the severity of GSM symptoms. Preliminary systemic VMS efficacy was measured by changes in responses to the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaire. Acceptability was assessed by product experience surveys. RESULTS Preliminary local GSM treatment efficacy was supported by significant decreases in vaginal pH and % parabasal cells, and significant increases in the overall VMI and % superficial cells for both IVR groups (all P values <0.01). Preliminary VMS efficacy was supported by significant decreases in all domains of the MENQOL questionnaire from baseline for both dosing groups (all P values <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Data from this study support further development of DARE-HRT1 for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M. Louise Hull
- PARC Clinical Research and Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Bronwyn Stuckey
- Keogh Institute for Medical Research, Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | | | - Nadene Zack
- From the Daré Bioscience, Inc, San Diego, CA
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Dothard MI, Allard SM, Gilbert JA. The effects of hormone replacement therapy on the microbiomes of postmenopausal women. Climacteric 2023; 26:182-192. [PMID: 37051868 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2023.2173568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
The sex steroid hormone estrogen plays a number of regulatory roles in female development. During menopause, estrogen synthesis in the ovaries decreases, which results in adverse physiological remodeling and increased risk of disease. Reduced bone density, changes in the community composition profiles of the gut and vaginal microbiome, mood swings and changes in the vaginal environment are to be expected during this time. To alleviate these changes, postmenopausal women can be prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) through the use of exogenous estradiol, often in conjunction with progestin treatment, which re-induces estrogenic action throughout the body. The microbiome and estrogen have a bidirectional, regulatory relationship in the gut, while in the vaginal environment estrogen works indirectly on the microbiome through restoring the vaginal tissue environment that leads to microbial homeostasis. This review discusses what is known about how the gut and vaginal microbiomes of postmenopausal women are responding to HRT, and the potential future of microbe-based therapeutics for symptoms of menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
- M I Dothard
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - S M Allard
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - J A Gilbert
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Park MG, Cho S, Oh MM. Menopausal Changes in the Microbiome-A Review Focused on the Genitourinary Microbiome. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13061193. [PMID: 36980501 PMCID: PMC10047399 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13061193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
A balanced interaction between the host and its microbiome is crucial to health. Research regarding the significance of the gut and vaginal microbiomes in female health is substantial. However, less data regarding the urinary microbiome are available. Interactions between the gut, vaginal, and urinary microbiomes are also currently being researched. Hormone-induced dysbiosis after menopause is believed to have effects on physical changes and health consequences. Postmenopausal changes in the gut microbiome are associated with increased short-chain fatty acids and hydrogen sulfide levels. Increased vaginal pH caused by reduced estrogen alters the vaginal microbiome, resulting in reduced levels of Lactobacillus. Such changes influence the vaginal structure and functions, contributing to the onset of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. A dysbiosis of the urinary microbiome is associated with urgency and urinary incontinence and also related to interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and neuropathic bladder. As these diseases commonly affect postmenopausal women, hormone-induced changes in the microbiome may play a role. Menopause increases the alpha diversity of the urinary microbiome and lowers the percentage of Lactobacillus in urine, and such changes precede recurrent cystitis. More research regarding the effects of changes in the urinary microbiome due to menopause on urinary tract diseases is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Gu Park
- Department of Urology, Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital, 9 Mareunnae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 04551, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Cho
- Department of Urology, Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital, 170 Juhwa-ro, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang-si 10380, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Mi Oh
- Department of Urology, Korea University Guro Hospital, 148 Gurodong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul 08308, Republic of Korea
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Das S, Bhattacharjee MJ, Mukherjee AK, Khan MR. Recent advances in understanding of multifaceted changes in the vaginal microenvironment: implications in vaginal health and therapeutics. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:256-282. [PMID: 35312419 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2049696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The vagina endures multifaceted changes from neonatal to menopausal phases due to hormonal flux, metabolite deposition, and microbial colonization. These features have important implications in women's health. Several pre-factors show dynamic characteristics according to the phases that shift the vaginal microbiota from anaerobes to aerobes which is a hallmark of healthy vaginal environment. These factors include oestrogen levels, glycogen deposition, and vaginal microstructure. In the adult phase, Lactobacillus is highly dominant and regulates pH, adherence, aggregation, immune modulation, synthesis of bacteriocins, and biosurfactants (BSs) which are antagonistic to pathogens. Maternal factors are protective by favouring the colonization of lactobacilli in the vagina in the neonatal phase, which diminishes with age. The dominance of lactobacilli and dysbiosis in the adult phase depends on intrinsic and extrinsic factors in women, which vary between ethnicities. Recent developments in probiotics used against vaginal microbiome dysbiosis have shown great promise in restoring the normal microbiota including preventing the loss of beneficial bacteria. However, further in-depth studies are warranted to ensure long-term protection by probiotics. This review highlights various aspects of the vaginal microenvironment in different phases of growth and diverse ethnicities. Furthermore, it discusses future trends for formulating more effective population-specific probiotics and implications of paraprobiotics and postbiotics as effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmita Das
- Division of Life Science, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, India
| | | | - Ashis K Mukherjee
- Division of Life Science, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, India.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, India
| | - Mojibur Rohman Khan
- Division of Life Science, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, India
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Van Gerwen OT, Smith SE, Muzny CA. Bacterial Vaginosis in Postmenopausal Women. Curr Infect Dis Rep 2023; 25:7-15. [PMID: 37601955 PMCID: PMC10438897 DOI: 10.1007/s11908-022-00794-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection worldwide, but most research has been conducted in premenopausal women. After menopause, endogenous estrogen production decreases, often leading to the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), characterized by vulvovaginal dryness and irritation. The estrogen-deficient postmenopausal state results in an elevated vaginal pH and depletion of vaginal lactobacilli. Use of traditional BV diagnostics (Amsel criteria, Nugent score) is difficult in post-menopausal women, especially those not on estrogen replacement therapy, as these methods were originally developed in premenopausal women. In this review, we discuss recent clinical data on BV in postmenopausal women, difficulties in diagnosis using traditional methods, the role of BV molecular diagnostics, and our current expert opinion for managing BV in this population. Recent Findings BV prevalence has been found to range between 2%-57% among postmenopausal women per Amsel and Nugent criteria. This is likely an over-estimate of the true prevalence due to limitations in these criteria which were only validated in pre-menopausal women. Despite increasing diagnostic options for BV in recent years, including highly sensitive and specific BV nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), the physiologic changes of menopause and limited inclusion of postmenopausal women in clinical studies, diagnosis is difficult in this population. Recent studies utilizing 16s rRNA gene sequencing suggest that the vaginal microbiota of premenopausal and postmenopausal women is quite different, even if BV is not present. Data also suggest that obese postmenopausal women have significantly lower rates of BV compared to non-obese postmenopausal women, although further research is needed in this area. Multiple treatment options exist for vaginal atrophy and BV in this population. Summary Data are limited regarding optimal diagnostic approaches for BV in postmenopausal women; BV NAATs and 16s rRNA gene sequencing may have a role for diagnosing BV in symptomatic women although further studies are needed. Menopausal women with characteristic vaginal symptoms and an elevated vaginal pH should be initially treated for estrogen deficiency prior to considering a diagnosis of BV; subsequent treatment for BV should be driven by symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia T. Van Gerwen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Sarah E. Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christina A. Muzny
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Gandhi K, Manales NJ, Garza J, David S, Sanchez A, Ventolini G. Lactobacilli and Cytokine Modifications during Menopause and Their Relation to Vulvar and Vulvovaginal Disorders. J Menopausal Med 2022; 28:52-59. [PMID: 36070870 PMCID: PMC9452597 DOI: 10.6118/jmm.22001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Female sexual and reproductive health is heavily influenced by the levels and ratios of Lactobacilli species and vaginal cytokines. Menopause marks a profound body change as it shifts to a natural and permanent non-reproductive state. Vulvovaginal diseases encompass a broad variety of sexual health conditions. Furthermore, both menopause and vulvovaginal diseases affect vaginal Lactobacilli and cytokine levels. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between menopause, vulvovaginal diseases, and vaginal Lactobacilli and cytokine levels. METHODS Vaginal swab samples were collected as part of a prospective data bank creation to study vaginal conditions as approved by the Institutional Review Board of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, USA. This study utilized 38 samples in this database, which were assigned to the pre-menopausal with no vulvovaginal conditions (n = 20) and post-menopausal with vulvovaginal conditions (n = 18) groups. A real-time polymerase chain reaction was conducted to determine the relative concentration of Lactobacilli species, while cytokine analysis was performed using multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay immunoassay. The standardized mean difference, multivariate analysis of variance, and permutational unequal variance t test were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS Cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, IL-8, and Lactobacillus iners expression were significantly elevated in the control group compared to the study group (P = 0.03 for the cytokines, P = 0.0194 for Lactobacilli). CONCLUSIONS The levels of vaginal cytokine and Lactobacillus profile were significantly different between the pre-menopausal and post-menopausal groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kushal Gandhi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, USA
| | - Nathan Joshua Manales
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, USA
| | - John Garza
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, USA.,Department of Mathematics, The University of Texas Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, USA
| | - Samuel David
- Department of Chemistry, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR, USA
| | - Asley Sanchez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, USA
| | - Gary Ventolini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, USA.
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Mehta SD, Nandi D, Agingu W, Green SJ, Otieno FO, Bhaumik DK, Bailey RC. Longitudinal Changes in the Composition of the Penile Microbiome Are Associated With Circumcision Status, HIV and HSV-2 Status, Sexual Practices, and Female Partner Microbiome Composition. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:916437. [PMID: 35865819 PMCID: PMC9294230 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.916437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Penile microbiome composition has been associated with HSV-2 and HIV in men and with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and HSV-2 in female sex partners. This study sought to 1) characterize penile microbiome composition over a 1-year period and 2) identify factors associated with penile microbiome composition over time. Methods This prospective study of community-recruited heterosexual couples in Kenya measured penile and vaginal microbiomes via 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing at 4 time points over 1 year (1, 6, and 12 months after baseline). We used longitudinal mixed-effects modeling to assess associated demographic, behavioral, and disease factors and changes in community type, meatal taxa with the highest mean relative abundance, and alpha and beta diversity measures. We estimated group-based trajectories to elucidate compositional trends. Results Among 218 men with 740 observations, men had a median age of 26 years, 11.6% were living with HIV, and 46.1% were HSV-2 seropositive. We identified 7 penile community types that varied with circumcision status, female partner vaginal microbiome community state type (CST), condom use, and penile washing. Across varying analytic approaches, 50%-60% of men had stable penile microbiome compositions. Alpha diversity measures were lower for circumcised men and those who reported condom use; they were stable over time but higher if female partners had diverse CSTs or BV. BV was positively associated with the relative abundance of numerous individual penile taxa. The decreased Bray-Curtis similarity was more common for men with HSV-2, and HSV-2 was also associated with a lower relative abundance of Corynebacterium and Staphylococcus. Conclusions Over a 1-year period, penile microbiome composition was stable for a substantial proportion of men and was influenced by men's circumcision status, sexual practices, female partner's vaginal CST and BV status, and men's HSV-2 status. In the female genital tract, a diverse CST is often associated with poorer health outcomes. Our results contribute toward understanding whether this framework extends to the penile microbiome and whether diversity and the associated penile microbiome compositions influence susceptibility or resilience to poorer health outcomes in men. Focusing on understanding how these factors influence the penile microbiome may lead to therapeutic avenues for reduced HSV-2 and BV infections in men and their female sex partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya D. Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine, Rush University, Chicago, IL, United States,Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States,*Correspondence: Supriya D. Mehta,
| | - Debarghya Nandi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Stefan J. Green
- Genomics and Microbiome Core Facility, College of Medicine, Rush University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Fredrick O. Otieno
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Dulal K. Bhaumik
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Robert C. Bailey
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, United States
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Mohammed Y, Holmes A, Kwok PCL, Kumeria T, Namjoshi S, Imran M, Matteucci L, Ali M, Tai W, Benson HA, Roberts MS. Advances and future perspectives in epithelial drug delivery. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 186:114293. [PMID: 35483435 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial surfaces protect exposed tissues in the body against intrusion of foreign materials, including xenobiotics, pollen and microbiota. The relative permeability of the various epithelia reflects their extent of exposure to the external environment and is in the ranking: intestinal≈ nasal ≥ bronchial ≥ tracheal > vaginal ≥ rectal > blood-perilymph barrier (otic), corneal > buccal > skin. Each epithelium also varies in their morphology, biochemistry, physiology, immunology and external fluid in line with their function. Each epithelium is also used as drug delivery sites to treat local conditions and, in some cases, for systemic delivery. The associated delivery systems have had to evolve to enable the delivery of larger drugs and biologicals, such as peptides, proteins, antibodies and biologicals and now include a range of physical, chemical, electrical, light, sound and other enhancement technologies. In addition, the quality-by-design approach to product regulation and the growth of generic products have also fostered advancement in epithelial drug delivery systems.
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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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Kwon MS, Lee HK. Host and Microbiome Interplay Shapes the Vaginal Microenvironment. Front Immunol 2022; 13:919728. [PMID: 35837395 PMCID: PMC9273862 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.919728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The female reproductive tract harbors a unique microbiome, especially the vagina. The human vaginal microbiome exhibits a low diversity and is dominated by Lactobacillus species, compared to the microbiome of other organs. The host and vaginal microbiome mutually coexist in the vaginal microenvironment. Host cells provide Lactobacillus glycogen as an energy source, and Lactobacillus produce lactic acid, which lowers vaginal pH thereby preventing growth of other bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis can modulate host immune systems, and is frequently associated with various aspects of disease, including sexually transmitted infection, gynecologic cancer, and poor pregnancy outcomes. Because of this, numerous studies focused on the impact of the vaginal microbiome on women`s health and disease. Furthermore, numerous epidemiologic studies also have demonstrated various host factors regulate the vaginal microbiome. The female reproductive tract undergoes constant fluctuations due to hormonal cycle, pregnancy, and other extrinsic factors. Depending on these fluctuations, the vaginal microbiome composition can shift temporally and dynamically. In this review, we highlight the current knowledge of how host factors modulate vaginal microbiome composition and how the vaginal microbiome contributes to maintaining homeostasis or inducing pathogenesis. A better understanding of relationship between host and vaginal microbiome could identify novel targets for diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment of microbiome-related diseases.
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15
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Towards a deeper understanding of the vaginal microbiota. Nat Microbiol 2022; 7:367-378. [PMID: 35246662 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01083-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The human vaginal microbiota is a critical determinant of vaginal health. These communities live in close association with the vaginal epithelium and rely on host tissues for resources. Although often dominated by lactobacilli, the vaginal microbiota is also frequently composed of a collection of facultative and obligate anaerobes. The prevalence of these communities with a paucity of Lactobacillus species varies among women, and epidemiological studies have associated them with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes. The mechanisms that drive these associations have yet to be described in detail, with few studies establishing causative relationships. Here, we review our current understanding of the vaginal microbiota and its connection with host health. We centre our discussion around the biology of the vaginal microbiota when Lactobacillus species are dominant versus when they are not, including host factors that are implicated in shaping these microbial communities and the resulting adverse health outcomes. We discuss current approaches to modulate the vaginal microbiota, including probiotics and vaginal microbiome transplants, and argue that new model systems of the cervicovaginal environment that incorporate the vaginal microbiota are needed to progress from association to mechanism and this will prove invaluable for future research.
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16
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Urine and vaginal microbiota compositions of postmenopausal and premenopausal women differ regardless of recurrent urinary tract infection and renal transplant status. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2698. [PMID: 35177690 PMCID: PMC8854725 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06646-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Postmenopausal women and renal transplant recipients are at increased risk of recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI). Urine and vaginal microbiota of premenopausal controls (N = 18) and RUTI cases (18), and of postmenopausal controls (30) and RUTI cases (20) with and without a renal transplant, were characterized using 16S rRNA sequencing. Participants did not have UTI symptoms at the time of sampling. Gram-negative uropathobionts (predominantly Escherichia/Shigella, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Acinetobacter) had a much higher mean relative abundance in urine than vaginal samples, especially in premenopausal women. No statistically significant differences in mean relative abundances of bacterial groups were found within the premenopausal group or within the postmenopausal group by RUTI or renal transplant status without chronic antibiotic use. Comparing postmenopausal to premenopausal women, mean relative abundances of lactobacilli (especially L. crispatus) in urine and vaginal samples and of Gram-negative uropathobionts in urine were lower, and of BV-anaerobes and Gram-positive uropathobionts in urine and vaginal samples were higher. While RUTI in premenopausal women is predominantly caused by Escherichia, the causative organisms in postmenopausal women are likely more diverse. The relative importance of individual organisms is currently unknown. We recommend that future studies, including intervention studies, include longitudinal microbiota assessments.
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Krakowsky Y, Potter E, Hallarn J, Monari B, Wilcox H, Bauer G, Ravel J, Prodger JL. The Effect of Gender-Affirming Medical Care on the Vaginal and Neovaginal Microbiomes of Transgender and Gender-Diverse People. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:769950. [PMID: 35127550 PMCID: PMC8814107 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.769950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Transgender and gender diverse individuals may seek gender-affirming medical care, such as hormone therapy or surgery, to produce primary and/or secondary sex characteristics that are more congruent with their gender. Gender-affirming medical care for transmasculine individuals can include testosterone therapy, which suppresses circulating estrogen and can lead to changes in the vaginal epithelium that are reminiscent of the post-menopausal period in cisgender females. Among transfeminine individuals, gender-affirming medical care can include vaginoplasty, which is the surgical creation of a vulva and neovaginal canal, commonly using penile and scrotal skin. The effect of gender-affirming medical care on the vagina of transmasculine individuals and on the neovagina of transfeminine individuals is poorly characterized. This review summarizes what is known of the epithelium and local microbiota of the testosterone-exposed vagina and the neovagina. We focus on potential pathogens and determinants of gynecological health and identify key knowledge gaps for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonah Krakowsky
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Women’s College Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Transition Related Surgery, Department of Surgery, Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Emery Potter
- Transition Related Surgery, Department of Surgery, Women’s College Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jason Hallarn
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Bern Monari
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Hannah Wilcox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Greta Bauer
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jessica L. Prodger
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada,*Correspondence: Jessica L. Prodger,
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18
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Hogg E, Frank S, Oft J, Benway B, Rashid MH, Lahiri S. Urinary Tract Infection in Parkinson's Disease. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2022; 12:743-757. [PMID: 35147552 PMCID: PMC9108555 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-213103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common precipitant of acute neurological deterioration in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and a leading cause of delirium, functional decline, falls, and hospitalization. Various clinical features of PD including autonomic dysfunction and altered urodynamics, frailty and cognitive impairment, and the need for bladder catheterization contribute to an increased risk of UTI. Sepsis due to UTI is a feared consequence of untreated or undertreated UTI and a leading cause of morbidity in PD. Emerging research suggests that immune-mediated brain injury may underlie the pathogenesis of UTI-induced deterioration of PD symptoms. Existing strategies to prevent UTI in patients with PD include use of topical estrogen, prophylactic supplements, antibiotic bladder irrigation, clean catheterization techniques, and prophylactic oral antibiotics, while bacterial interference and vaccines/immunostimulants directed against common UTI pathogens are potentially emerging strategies that are currently under investigation. Future research is needed to mitigate the deleterious effects of UTI in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot Hogg
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Samuel Frank
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jillian Oft
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brian Benway
- Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Shouri Lahiri
- Departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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19
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Wu J, Ning Y, Tan L, Chen Y, Huang X, Zhuo Y. Characteristics of the vaginal microbiome in women with premature ovarian insufficiency. J Ovarian Res 2021; 14:172. [PMID: 34879874 PMCID: PMC8655991 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-021-00923-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the relationship between vaginal microbial community structure and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). METHODS Twenty-eight women with POI and 12 healthy women were recruited at Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital between August and September 2020. Blood samples were collected for glucose tests and detection of sex hormone levels and vaginal secretions were collected for microbial group determination. Vaginal microbial community profiles were analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using the Illumina MiSeq system (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). RESULTS Compared to the controls, the serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and the follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone ratio, significantly increased, and oestradiol and anti-Müllerian hormone levels significantly decreased in women with POI. Higher weighted UniFrac values were observed in women with POI than in healthy women. Bacteria in the genera Lactobacillus, Brevundimonas, and Odoribacter were more abundant in the microbiomes of healthy women, while the quantity of bacteria in the genus Streptococcus was significantly increased in the microbiomes of women with POI. Moreover, these differences in microbes in women with POI were closely related to follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, oestradiol, and anti-Müllerian hormone levels and to the follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone ratio. CONCLUSIONS Women with POI had altered vaginal microbial profiles compared to healthy controls. The alterations in their microbiomes were associated with serum hormone levels. These results will improve our understanding of the vaginal microbial community structure in women with POI. TRIAL REGISTRATION CHICTR, ChiCTR2000029576 . Registered 3 August 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=48844 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaman Wu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518028, China
| | - Yan Ning
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518028, China
| | - Liya Tan
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518028, China
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518028, China
| | - Xingxian Huang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, 518033, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhuo
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, 518033, China.
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20
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Pashayan MM, Hovhannisyan HG. Development of bifunctional vaginal suppositories by joint use terconazole and probiotic for treatment and prophylaxis of vulvovaginal candidiasis. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2021; 47:1424-1431. [PMID: 34726986 DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2021.2001485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this article is the creation and investigation of bifunctional suppositories that are endowed with antifungal and probiotic properties intended for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and colonization of the vaginal cavity by powerful lactobacilli. MATERIALS AND METHODS Freeze-dried Lactobacillus delbrueckii MH10 was used as a probiotic, which is an active producer of H2O2 isolated from a healthy woman's vagina. Hydrophilic PEG 4000/400, amphiphilic Suppocire AP, and lipophilic Novata ABPH bases were used for the preparation of vaginal suppositories and each included 80 mg terconazole and 25 mg (∼109 CFU) lactobacilli. The release kinetic of active agents from suppositories was studied using the British Pharmacopeia's basket dissolution method, and the physicochemical properties were studied using known methods. Bioadhesion of suppositories was evaluated by flow rate from polyacrylamide substrate inclined at 60°. Antagonism of lactobacillus against fungi was studied using the disk diffusion method and joint cultivation in simulated vaginal fluid. RESULTS The release rate of active ingredients from the suppositories was PEG 4000/400 > Suppocire AP > Novata ABPH in decreasing order. Suppositories made of Suppocire AP possessed higher adhesion ability to artificial mucosa and longer shelf life. It was revealed that during joint cultivation L. delbrueckii MH10 kills more than 90% of C. albicans population. CONCLUSIONS Due to its physicochemical, biopharmaceutical, and bioadhesive properties, the base Suppocire AP is preferable for manufacturing vaginal bifunctional suppositories. Lactobacilli kill C. albicans by coaggregating and direct releasing hydrogen peroxide onto target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Pashayan
- Department of Drug Technology, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
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21
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Vagios S, Mitchell CM. Mutual Preservation: A Review of Interactions Between Cervicovaginal Mucus and Microbiota. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:676114. [PMID: 34327149 PMCID: PMC8313892 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.676114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
At mucosal surfaces throughout the body mucus and mucins regulate interactions between epithelia and both commensal and pathogenic bacteria. Although the microbes in the female genital tract have been linked to multiple reproductive health outcomes, the role of cervicovaginal mucus in regulating genital tract microbes is largely unexplored. Mucus-microbe interactions could support the predominance of specific bacterial species and, conversely, commensal bacteria can influence mucus properties and its influence on reproductive health. Herein, we discuss the current evidence for both synergistic and antagonistic interactions between cervicovaginal mucus and the female genital tract microbiome, and how an improved understanding of these relationships could significantly improve women’s health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stylianos Vagios
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Caroline M Mitchell
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, United States
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22
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Auriemma RS, Scairati R, Del Vecchio G, Liccardi A, Verde N, Pirchio R, Pivonello R, Ercolini D, Colao A. The Vaginal Microbiome: A Long Urogenital Colonization Throughout Woman Life. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:686167. [PMID: 34295836 PMCID: PMC8290858 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.686167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaginal microbial niche is a dynamic ecosystem, composed by more than 200 bacterial species which are influenced by genes, ethnic background and environmental-behavioral factors. Several lines of evidence have well documented that vaginal microbiome constantly changes over the course of woman’s life, so to exert an important impact on woman quality of life, from newborn to post-menopausal ages. This review aims at analyzing the role of vaginal microbiome in the maintenance of woman’s homeostasis and at tracking critical changes that commonly occur across woman’s lifetime. The role of hormone replacement therapy in the modulation of vaginal microbiome composition and in the improvement of vaginal wellness in postmenopausal women with decreasing levels of circulating estrogen is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata S Auriemma
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Scairati
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Guendalina Del Vecchio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Liccardi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Nunzia Verde
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Pirchio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosario Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Danilo Ercolini
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy.,United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, University Federico II, Naples, Italy
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23
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Jacobson D, Moore K, Gunderson C, Rowland M, Austin R, Honap TP, Xu J, Warinner C, Sankaranarayanan K, Lewis Jr CM. Shifts in gut and vaginal microbiomes are associated with cancer recurrence time in women with ovarian cancer. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11574. [PMID: 34178459 PMCID: PMC8214851 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many studies investigating the human microbiome-cancer interface have focused on the gut microbiome and gastrointestinal cancers. Outside of human papillomavirus driving cervical cancer, little is known about the relationship between the vaginal microbiome and other gynecological cancers, such as ovarian cancer. In this retrospective study, we investigated the relationship between ovarian cancer, platinum-free interval (PFI) length, and vaginal and gut microbiomes. We observed that Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal communities were less common in women with ovarian cancer, as compared to existing datasets of similarly aged women without cancer. Primary platinum-resistance (PPR) disease is strongly associated with survivability under one year, and we found over one-third of patients with PPR (PFI < 6 months, n = 17) to have a vaginal microbiome dominated by Escherichia (>20% relative abundance), while only one platinum super-sensitive (PFI > 24 months, n = 23) patient had an Escherichia-dominated microbiome. Additionally, L. iners was associated with little, or no, gross residual disease, while other Lactobacillus species were dominant in women with >1 cm gross residual disease. In the gut microbiome, we found patients with PPR disease to have lower phylogenetic diversity than platinum-sensitive patients. The trends we observe in women with ovarian cancer and PPR disease, such as the absence of Lactobacillus and presence of Escherichia in the vaginal microbiome as well as low gut microbiome phylogenetic diversity have all been linked to other diseases and/or pro-inflammatory states, including bacterial vaginosis and autoimmune disorders. Future prospective studies are necessary to explore the translational potential and underlying mechanisms driving these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Jacobson
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research (LMAMR), University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Kathleen Moore
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Camille Gunderson
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Michelle Rowland
- Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
- Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, United States
| | - Rita Austin
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research (LMAMR), University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Tanvi Prasad Honap
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research (LMAMR), University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Jiawu Xu
- Ragon Institute, MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Christina Warinner
- Department of Anthropology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Krithivasan Sankaranarayanan
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research (LMAMR), University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Cecil M. Lewis Jr
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
- Laboratories of Molecular Anthropology and Microbiome Research (LMAMR), University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
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Joseph RJ, Ser HL, Kuai YH, Tan LTH, Arasoo VJT, Letchumanan V, Wang L, Pusparajah P, Goh BH, Ab Mutalib NS, Chan KG, Lee LH. Finding a Balance in the Vaginal Microbiome: How Do We Treat and Prevent the Occurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis? Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:719. [PMID: 34203908 PMCID: PMC8232816 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10060719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) has been reported in one-third of women worldwide at different life stages, due to the complex balance in the ecology of the vaginal microbiota. It is a common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge and is associated with other health issues. Since the first description of anaerobic microbes associated with BV like Gardnerella vaginalis in the 1950s, researchers have stepped up the game by incorporating advanced molecular tools to monitor and evaluate the extent of dysbiosis within the vaginal microbiome, particularly on how specific microbial population changes compared to a healthy state. Moreover, treatment failure and BV recurrence rate remain high despite the standard antibiotic treatment. Consequently, researchers have been probing into alternative or adjunct treatments, including probiotics or even vaginal microbiota transplants, to ensure successful treatment outcomes and reduce the colonization by pathogenic microbes of the female reproductive tract. The current review summarizes the latest findings in probiotics use for BV and explores the potential of vaginal microbiota transplants in restoring vaginal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Jane Joseph
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group (NBDD), Microbes and Bioresource Research Strength (MBRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (R.J.J.); (H.-L.S.); (Y.-H.K.); (L.T.-H.T.); (V.L.); (P.P.); (N.-S.A.M.)
| | - Hooi-Leng Ser
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group (NBDD), Microbes and Bioresource Research Strength (MBRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (R.J.J.); (H.-L.S.); (Y.-H.K.); (L.T.-H.T.); (V.L.); (P.P.); (N.-S.A.M.)
| | - Yi-He Kuai
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group (NBDD), Microbes and Bioresource Research Strength (MBRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (R.J.J.); (H.-L.S.); (Y.-H.K.); (L.T.-H.T.); (V.L.); (P.P.); (N.-S.A.M.)
| | - Loh Teng-Hern Tan
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group (NBDD), Microbes and Bioresource Research Strength (MBRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (R.J.J.); (H.-L.S.); (Y.-H.K.); (L.T.-H.T.); (V.L.); (P.P.); (N.-S.A.M.)
- Clinical School Johor Bahru, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Johor Bahru 80100, Malaysia;
| | | | - Vengadesh Letchumanan
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group (NBDD), Microbes and Bioresource Research Strength (MBRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (R.J.J.); (H.-L.S.); (Y.-H.K.); (L.T.-H.T.); (V.L.); (P.P.); (N.-S.A.M.)
| | - Lijing Wang
- Vascular Biology Research Institute, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China;
| | - Priyia Pusparajah
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group (NBDD), Microbes and Bioresource Research Strength (MBRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (R.J.J.); (H.-L.S.); (Y.-H.K.); (L.T.-H.T.); (V.L.); (P.P.); (N.-S.A.M.)
| | - Bey-Hing Goh
- Biofunctional Molecule Exploratory Research Group (BMEX), School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia;
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Nurul-Syakima Ab Mutalib
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group (NBDD), Microbes and Bioresource Research Strength (MBRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (R.J.J.); (H.-L.S.); (Y.-H.K.); (L.T.-H.T.); (V.L.); (P.P.); (N.-S.A.M.)
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), UKM Medical Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- International Genome Centre, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Learn-Han Lee
- Novel Bacteria and Drug Discovery Research Group (NBDD), Microbes and Bioresource Research Strength (MBRS), Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway 47500, Malaysia; (R.J.J.); (H.-L.S.); (Y.-H.K.); (L.T.-H.T.); (V.L.); (P.P.); (N.-S.A.M.)
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25
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Dittmer KE, Pradhan P, Tompkins QC, Brittingham A, Wilson WA. Cloning and characterization of glycogen branching and debranching enzymes from the parasitic protist Trichomonas vaginalis. Biochimie 2021; 186:59-72. [PMID: 33895247 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2021.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The protist Trichomonas vaginalis is an obligate parasite of humans and the causative agent of trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted infection. The organism has long been known to accumulate glycogen, a branched polymer of glucose, and to mobilize this reserve in response to carbohydrate limitation. However, the enzymes required for the synthesis and degradation of glycogen by T. vaginalis have been little studied. Previously, we characterized T. vaginalis glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase, the key enzymes of glycogen synthesis and degradation, respectively. We determined that their regulatory properties differed from those of well-characterized animal and fungal enzymes. Here, we turn our attention to how glycogen attains its branched structure. We first determined that the glycogen from T. vaginalis resembled that from a related organism, T. gallinae. To determine how the branched structure of T. vaginalis glycogen arose, we identified open reading frames encoding putative T. vaginalis branching and debranching enzymes. When the open reading frames TVAG_276310 and TVAG_330630 were expressed recombinantly in bacteria, the resulting proteins exhibited branching and debranching activity, respectively. Specifically, recombinant TVAG_276310 had affinity for polysaccharides with long outer branches and could add branches to both amylose and amylopectin. TVAG_330630 displayed both 4-α-glucanotransferase and α1,6-glucosidase activity and could efficiently debranch phosphorylase limit dextrin. Furthermore, expression of TVAG_276310 and TVAG_330630 in yeast cells lacking endogenous glycogen branching or debranching enzyme activity, restored normal glycogen accumulation and branched structure. We now have access to the suite of enzymes required for glycogen synthesis and degradation in T. vaginalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline E Dittmer
- Departments of Biochemistry & Nutrition, and Microbiology & Immunology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA
| | - Prajakta Pradhan
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA
| | - Quentin C Tompkins
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA
| | - Andrew Brittingham
- Departments of Microbiology & Immunology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA
| | - Wayne A Wilson
- Departments of Biochemistry & Nutrition, and Microbiology & Immunology, Des Moines University, Des Moines, IA, 50312, USA.
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Tuddenham S, Ravel J, Marrazzo JM. Protection and Risk: Male and Female Genital Microbiota and Sexually Transmitted Infections. J Infect Dis 2021; 223:S222-S235. [PMID: 33576776 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Unique compositional and functional features of the cervicovaginal microbiota have been associated with protection against and risk for sexually transmitted infections (STI). In men, our knowledge of the interaction between the penile microbiota and STI is less developed. The current state of our understanding of these microbiota and their role in select STIs is briefly reviewed, along with strategies that leverage existing findings to manipulate genital microbiota and optimize protection against STIs. Finally, we focus on major research gaps and present a framework for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Tuddenham
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jeanne M Marrazzo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Ammitzbøll N, Bau BPJ, Bundgaard-Nielsen C, Villadsen AB, Jensen AM, Leutscher PDC, Glavind K, Hagstrøm S, Arenholt LTS, Sørensen S. Pre- and postmenopausal women have different core urinary microbiota. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2212. [PMID: 33500504 PMCID: PMC7838182 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81790-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that alterations in the female urinary microbiota is associated to development of bladder disease. However, the normal microbiota composition and variation in healthy women are poorly described. Moreover, the effects of hormonal changes on microbiota during menopause is not well understood. The aim of our study was to investigate the urinary microbiota in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women without urinary tract symptoms. Microbiota composition in catheterized urine samples was mapped using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In total, 41 premenopausal and 42 postmenopausal women were initially included. Samples with first PCR amplification concentration below level of the negative control were excluded, resulting in 34 premenopausal and 20 postmenopausal women included in data analysis. Urine from postmenopausal women showed significantly higher alpha diversity compared to premenopausal women. Lactobacillus was the most abundant bacteria in both groups, however the relative abundance of Lactobacillus accounted for 77.8% in premenopausal versus 42.0% in postmenopausal women. In conclusion, urine from premenopausal mostly presented with Lactobacillus dominated urotypes, whereas urine from postmenopausal women presented a more diverse urinary microbiota with higher abundance of the genera Gardnerella and Prevotella. The clinical and pathophysiological implications of this difference remain to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Ammitzbøll
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Bispensgade 37, 9800 Hjørring, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Caspar Bundgaard-Nielsen
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Bispensgade 37, 9800 Hjørring, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Annemarie Brusen Villadsen
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Bispensgade 37, 9800 Hjørring, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Ann-Maria Jensen
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Bispensgade 37, 9800 Hjørring, Denmark
| | - Peter Derek Christian Leutscher
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Bispensgade 37, 9800 Hjørring, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Karin Glavind
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Søren Hagstrøm
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Bispensgade 37, 9800 Hjørring, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Pediatrics, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Louise Thomsen Schmidt Arenholt
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Bispensgade 37, 9800 Hjørring, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Hjørring, Denmark
| | - Suzette Sørensen
- Centre for Clinical Research, North Denmark Regional Hospital, Bispensgade 37, 9800 Hjørring, Denmark. .,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
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28
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Exogenous Reproductive Hormones nor Candida albicans Colonization Alter the Near Neutral Mouse Vaginal pH. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00550-20. [PMID: 33106292 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00550-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
While human vaginal pH in childbearing-age women is conclusively acidic, the mouse vaginal pH is reported as being near neutral. However, this information appears to be somewhat anecdotal with respect to vulvovaginal candidiasis, as such claims in the literature frequently lack citations of studies that specifically address this physiological factor. Given the disparate pH between mice and humans, the role of exogenous hormones and colonization by the fungal pathogen Candida albicans in shaping vaginal pH was assessed. Use of a convenient modified vaginal lavage technique with the pH indicator dye phenol red demonstrated that indeed vaginal pH was near neutral (7.2 ± 0.24) and was not altered by delivery of progesterone or estrogen in C57BL/6 mice. These trends were conserved in DBA/2 and CD-1 mouse backgrounds, commonly used in the mouse model of vaginitis. It was also determined that vaginal colonization with C. albicans did not alter the globally neutral vaginal pH over the course of one week. Construction and validation of a C. albicans reporter strain expressing GFPy, driven by the pH-responsive PHR1 promoter, confirmed the murine vaginal pH to be at least ≥6.0. Collectively, our data convincingly demonstrate a stable and conserved near neutrality of the mouse vaginal pH during vulvovaginal candidiasis and should serve as a definitive source for future reference. Implications and rationale for disparate pH in this model system are also discussed.
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Thomas-White K, Taege S, Limeira R, Brincat C, Joyce C, Hilt EE, Mac-Daniel L, Radek KA, Brubaker L, Mueller ER, Wolfe AJ. Vaginal estrogen therapy is associated with increased Lactobacillus in the urine of postmenopausal women with overactive bladder symptoms. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 223:727.e1-727.e11. [PMID: 32791124 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous work has shown that the vaginal microbiome decreases in Lactobacillus predominance and becomes more diverse after menopause. It has also been shown that estrogen therapy restores Lactobacillus dominance in the vagina and that topical estrogen is associated with overactive bladder symptom improvement. We now know that the bladder contains a unique microbiome and that increased bladder microbiome diversity is associated with overactive bladder. However, there is no understanding of how quickly each pelvic floor microbiome responds to estrogen or if those changes are associated with symptom improvement. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine if estrogen treatment of postmenopausal women with overactive bladder decreases urobiome diversity. STUDY DESIGN We analyzed data from postmenopausal participants in 2 trials (NCT02524769 and NCT02835846) who chose vaginal estrogen as the primary overactive bladder treatment and used 0.5 g of conjugated estrogen (Premarin cream; Pfizer, New York City, NY) twice weekly for 12 weeks. Baseline and 12-week follow-up data included the Overactive Bladder questionnaire, and participants provided urine samples via catheter, vaginal swabs, perineal swabs, and voided urine samples. Microbes were detected by an enhanced culture protocol. Linear mixed models were used to estimate microbiome changes over time. Urinary antimicrobial peptide activity was assessed by a bacterial growth inhibition assay and correlated with relative abundance of members of the urobiome. RESULTS In this study, 12 weeks of estrogen treatment resulted in decreased microbial diversity within the vagina (Shannon, P=.047; Richness, P=.043) but not in the other niches. A significant increase in Lactobacillus was detected in the bladder (P=.037) but not in the vagina (P=.33), perineum (P=.56), or voided urine (P=.28). The change in Lactobacillus levels in the bladder was associated with modest changes in urgency incontinence symptoms (P=.02). The relative abundance of the genus Corynebacterium correlated positively with urinary antimicrobial peptide activity after estrogen treatment. CONCLUSION Estrogen therapy may change the microbiome of different pelvic floor niches. The vagina begins to decrease in diversity, and the bladder experiences a significant increase in Lactobacillus levels; the latter is correlated with a modest improvement in the symptom severity subscale of the Overactive Bladder questionnaire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krystal Thomas-White
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Susanne Taege
- Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL; Mount Carmel Medical Group, Mount Carmel Urogynecology and Pelvic Floor, Westerville, OH
| | - Roberto Limeira
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL; Loyola Genomics Facility, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Cynthia Brincat
- Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
| | - Cara Joyce
- Public Health Sciences, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Evann E Hilt
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Laura Mac-Daniel
- Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Katherine A Radek
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL; Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Linda Brubaker
- Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL; Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Elizabeth R Mueller
- Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL
| | - Alan J Wolfe
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL; Loyola Genomics Facility, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL.
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30
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Sihra N, Malde S, Greenwell T, Pakzad M, Kujawa M, Sinclair A. Management of recurrent urinary tract infections in women. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL UROLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/2051415820939456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Urinary tract infections are highly prevalent and result in significant patient morbidity as well as large financial costs to healthcare systems. Recurrent urinary tract infections can be challenging for many healthcare professionals, and the repeated use of antibiotics in this patient cohort inevitably contributes to the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance and superbugs. It is essential that these patients are appropriately diagnosed and managed to ensure rapid resolution of symptoms and the prevention of chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections. There are several antibiotic-based options available for the prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections however, in the current era of rising antimicrobial resistance, an awareness of antibiotic stewardship and the use of non-antibiotic alternatives for the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections is of critical importance. We present a case-based multidisciplinary team discussion to highlight how women with recurrent urinary tract infections should be managed, encouraging the use of non-antibiotic prophylactic measures when suitable. Level of evidence: Level 5
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Daily Vaginal Microbiota Fluctuations Associated with Natural Hormonal Cycle, Contraceptives, Diet, and Exercise. mSphere 2020; 5:5/4/e00593-20. [PMID: 32641429 PMCID: PMC7343982 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00593-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The vaginal microbiome is a critical component of women’s sexual and reproductive health, with variations in microbial composition, particularly the loss of Lactobacillus species, being implicated in gynecologic and obstetric diseases. Given that the vaginal microbiome is so crucial, why do vaginal microbial profiles vary strikingly from person to person and even change over time within the same person? In the present study, which tracked the daily vaginal microbiomes of young healthy women through different lifestyles, we found that use of a locally released progestin contraceptive, a vegetarian diet, and intense exercise appear to lead to vaginal microbiome alterations and loss of Lactobacillus species. The impact of these vaginal microbiome changes on immediate and long-term health remain to be investigated. The microorganisms of the vaginal tract are critical for vaginal and reproductive health. However, the regulation of these microorganisms is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated whether different factors regulate the vaginal microbiota of healthy college-aged women (n = 26) with high temporal resolution by collecting daily self-administered vaginal swabs and using 16S rRNA sequencing for bacterial identification. As expected, vaginal microbiota clustered into five predefined community state types. Vaginal microbial diversity, stability, and Lactobacillus abundances were associated with the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use. Vaginal microbial diversity, as measured using the Shannon index, increased during menses (P < 0.001), while Lactobacillus abundances decreased (P = 0.01). The covariance of these microbial measures with previously established estradiol levels suggests that estrogens can regulate vaginal microbiota. Moreover, the use of hormonal contraceptives may alter the temporal dynamics of the vaginal microbiota and decrease Lactobacillus abundances, depending on hormonal content and release method. Interestingly, intrasample diversity was greater in participants on a vegetarian diet (P = 0.004) and among participants who exercised more (P = 0.04). These findings indicate that ovarian hormones, diet, and exercise can regulate vaginal microbial composition and stability and may impact vaginal and reproductive health. IMPORTANCE The vaginal microbiome is a critical component of women’s sexual and reproductive health, with variations in microbial composition, particularly the loss of Lactobacillus species, being implicated in gynecologic and obstetric diseases. Given that the vaginal microbiome is so crucial, why do vaginal microbial profiles vary strikingly from person to person and even change over time within the same person? In the present study, which tracked the daily vaginal microbiomes of young healthy women through different lifestyles, we found that use of a locally released progestin contraceptive, a vegetarian diet, and intense exercise appear to lead to vaginal microbiome alterations and loss of Lactobacillus species. The impact of these vaginal microbiome changes on immediate and long-term health remain to be investigated.
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Whitney BM, Guthrie BL, Srinivasan S, Tapia K, Muriuki EM, Chohan BH, Wallis JM, Liu C, McClelland RS, Fredricks DN, Roxby AC. Changes in key vaginal bacteria among postpartum African women initiating intramuscular depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229586. [PMID: 32134931 PMCID: PMC7058341 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The ECHO trial has relieved apprehension about intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), however it is still important to understand how DMPA-IM affects the vaginal environment. We sought to describe how DMPA-IM initiation influences vaginal bacteria associated with HIV acquisition in postpartum women. Methods Vaginal swabs were collected for Nugent score determination and taxon-specific quantitative PCR of eight bacteria. Enrollment occurred at contraceptive initiation (DMPA-IM or non-hormonal contraception (non-HC)) and repeat vaginal swabs were collected after three months. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate changes in Nugent score, total bacterial load, and taxa concentrations among contraceptive groups. Results Women who chose DMPA-IM (n = 33) were more likely to be married (97%vs.67%) and have resumed intercourse since delivery (52%vs.29%) compared to women who chose non-HC (n = 21). After three months, significant decreases in the concentrations of Sneathia species, Mycoplasma hominis, and Parvimonas species Type 1 were seen among non-HC users, however concentrations remained stable among DMPA-IM users; contraceptive method was associated with significantly different changes in M. hominis concentration between groups (p = 0.010). Conclusions Our findings suggest that postpartum use of DMPA-IM and non-HC may have differential impacts on the vaginal concentrations of some bacteria that have previously been associated with HIV acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget M. Whitney
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Brandon L. Guthrie
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Sujatha Srinivasan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Kenneth Tapia
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Eric Munene Muriuki
- Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bhavna H. Chohan
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jacqueline M. Wallis
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Congzhou Liu
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - R. Scott McClelland
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - David N. Fredricks
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Alison C. Roxby
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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Xu J, Bian G, Zheng M, Lu G, Chan WY, Li W, Yang K, Chen ZJ, Du Y. Fertility factors affect the vaginal microbiome in women of reproductive age. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 83:e13220. [PMID: 31925865 PMCID: PMC7078941 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Problem For women of reproductive age, achieving a successful pregnancy requires both the normal functioning of reproductive endocrine and the health of the reproductive tract environment. We aimed to study how these fertility factors, such as female age, baseline sexual hormone levels, tubal patency, and vaginal pH, affect the composition of vaginal microbiome. Method of study The 16S rRNA sequencing was carried on vaginal microbiome samples from 85 women of reproductive age without vaginal infections or reproductive endocrine diseases. The detailed correlations between fertility factors and vaginal microbiome were quantified by Spearman's rank tests. A linear discriminant analysis was carried out to explore the effects of fertility factors on the relative abundances of vaginal bacterial species. Results The vaginal pH, levels of basal E2, LH, and FSH all had significant effects on the distribution of vaginal microbiome. The relative abundances of vaginal bacterial species, including Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Prevotella intermedia, were significantly different due to the host's state of reproductive endocrine and tubal patency. It was worth noting that women with tubal obstruction, or prolonged menstrual cycle, or antral follicle count >15, or vaginal pH > 4.5 all had a higher abundance of Escherichia coli in vagina. Conclusion The fertility factors associated with the reproductive endocrine and the genital tract environment affected vaginal microbiome in women of reproductive age. The species Escherichia coli, Streptococcus agalactiae, Prevotella intermedia, etc could be used as biomarkers to reflect the pathological state of reproductive endocrine and genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieying Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Gaorui Bian
- Department of NGS Sequencing, Tianyi Health Sciences Institute, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Min Zheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Gang Lu
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shandong University Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wai-Yee Chan
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shandong University Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Weiping Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaiping Yang
- Department of NGS Sequencing, Tianyi Health Sciences Institute, Zhenjiang, China.,Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Physiology & Pharmacology, Children's Health Research Institute & Lawson Health Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China.,National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yanzhi Du
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
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Wessels JM, Lajoie J, Cooper MIJH, Omollo K, Felker AM, Vitali D, Dupont HA, Nguyen PV, Mueller K, Vahedi F, Kimani J, Oyugi J, Cheruiyot J, Mungai JN, Deshiere A, Tremblay MJ, Mazzulli T, Stearns JC, Ashkar AA, Fowke KR, Surette MG, Kaushic C. Medroxyprogesterone acetate alters the vaginal microbiota and microenvironment in women and increases susceptibility to HIV-1 in humanized mice. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm.039669. [PMID: 31537512 PMCID: PMC6826019 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.039669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The hormonal contraceptive medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is associated with increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), via incompletely understood mechanisms. Increased diversity in the vaginal microbiota modulates genital inflammation and is associated with increased HIV-1 acquisition. However, the effect of MPA on diversity of the vaginal microbiota is relatively unknown. In a cohort of female Kenyan sex workers, negative for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with Nugent scores <7 (N=58 of 370 screened), MPA correlated with significantly increased diversity of the vaginal microbiota as assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. MPA was also significantly associated with decreased levels of estrogen in the plasma, and low vaginal glycogen and α-amylase, factors implicated in vaginal colonization by lactobacilli, bacteria that are believed to protect against STIs. In a humanized mouse model, MPA treatment was associated with low serum estrogen, low glycogen and enhanced HIV-1 susceptibility. The mechanism by which the MPA-mediated changes in the vaginal microbiota may contribute to HIV-1 susceptibility in humans appears to be independent of inflammatory cytokines and/or activated T cells. Altogether, these results suggest MPA-induced hypo-estrogenism may alter key metabolic components that are necessary for vaginal colonization by certain bacterial species including lactobacilli, and allow for greater bacterial diversity in the vaginal microbiota. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: MPA may increase susceptibility to HIV-1 in sex workers through the suppression of endogenous estrogen, reducing vaginal glycogen and α-amylase levels, which increases bacterial diversity, potentially reducing protective bacterial species such as lactobacilli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn M Wessels
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Julie Lajoie
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, P.O. BOX 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maeve I J Hay Cooper
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Kenneth Omollo
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, P.O. BOX 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Allison M Felker
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Danielle Vitali
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Haley A Dupont
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Philip V Nguyen
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Kristen Mueller
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Vahedi
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Joshua Kimani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, P.O. BOX 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.,Kenyan AIDS Control Program, P.O. Box 19361 - 00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Julius Oyugi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, P.O. BOX 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - John N Mungai
- Kenyan AIDS Control Program, P.O. Box 19361 - 00202, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Alexandre Deshiere
- Axe des Maladies Infectieuses et Immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Pavillon CHUL, Québec City, Québec G1V 4G2, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology Medical Biology, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Michel J Tremblay
- Axe des Maladies Infectieuses et Immunitaires, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Pavillon CHUL, Québec City, Québec G1V 4G2, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology Medical Biology, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Tony Mazzulli
- Public Health Laboratories, Public Health Ontario, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1V2, Canada.,Mount Sinai Hospital/University Health Network, Department of Microbiology, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jennifer C Stearns
- Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Ali A Ashkar
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Keith R Fowke
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0J9, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, P.O. BOX 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Michael G Surette
- Department of Medicine, Farncombe Family Digestive Health Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,McMaster Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Charu Kaushic
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Michael G. DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada .,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.,McMaster Institute of Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
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Vaginal pH: a simple assessment highly correlated with vaginal morphology and symptoms in postmenopausal women. Menopause 2019; 25:762-766. [PMID: 29509598 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000001081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine the utility of vaginal pH as a marker of menopause and vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA) before and after local estrogen treatment. METHODS Vaginal pH was determined using standard pH paper strips in two clinical trials involving postmenopausal women with signs and symptoms of VVA evaluated before and after intervention with vaginal estradiol in softgel capsules. The utility of vaginal pH was evaluated as a screening method for VVA due to menopause and correlations were analyzed between vaginal pH and VVA symptoms, physical changes, and maturation of the vaginal epithelium. RESULTS Changes in vaginal pH were significantly correlated with changes in superficial and parabasal cell counts; vaginal epithelial changes of color, integrity, thickness, and secretion; and the VVA symptoms of vaginal dryness and dyspareunia (vaginal pain with intercourse). CONCLUSIONS Vaginal pH consistently correlated with parabasal and superficial cells and the visual vaginal epithelial changes and symptoms of dryness and dyspareunia, and is thus a simple outpatient procedure that reflects the hormonal milieu and its effects on the vaginal epithelium.
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Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are highly prevalent, lead to considerable patient morbidity, incur large financial costs to health-care systems and are one of the most common reasons for antibiotic use worldwide. The growing problem of antimicrobial resistance means that the search for nonantibiotic alternatives for the treatment and prevention of UTI is of critical importance. Potential nonantibiotic measures and treatments for UTIs include behavioural changes, dietary supplementation (such as Chinese herbal medicines and cranberry products), NSAIDs, probiotics, D-mannose, methenamine hippurate, estrogens, intravesical glycosaminoglycans, immunostimulants, vaccines and inoculation with less-pathogenic bacteria. Some of the results of trials of these approaches are promising; however, high-level evidence is required before firm recommendations for their use can be made. A combination of these agents might provide the optimal treatment to reduce recurrent UTI, and trials in specific population groups are required.
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Associations between improvement in genitourinary symptoms of menopause and changes in the vaginal ecosystem. Menopause 2019; 25:500-507. [PMID: 29206774 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000001037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to identify associations between improvement in genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM) and vaginal microbiota, vaginal glycogen, and serum estrogen. METHODS Thirty postmenopausal women enrolled in a hot flash treatment trial (oral estradiol vs venlafaxine vs placebo) who reported GSM and provided vaginal swabs at 0, 4, and 8 weeks were studied. Bacterial communities were characterized using deep sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 region. Participants selected a most bothersome genitourinary symptom (dryness, discharge, pain, itch/burn, or inability to have sex) and rated severity on a 10-point scale at baseline and 8 weeks. Vaginal glycogen and serum estradiol and estrone were measured at enrollment and 8 weeks. Comparisons according to improvement in most bothersome symptom (MBS) were made using χ, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, or Hotelling's t test. RESULTS Of 30 participants, 21 (70%) had improvement in MBS over the 8-week study and 9 (30%) had no improvement or worsening of MBS. A higher proportion of women receiving estradiol or venlafaxine reported improvement in MBS (88%, 78%) compared with placebo (54%; P = 0.28). MBS improvement was associated with Lactobacillus-dominant vaginal microbiota at enrollment (57% vs 22%, P = 0.08). Vaginal glycogen, serum estradiol, and estrone significantly increased in women whose MBS improved. CONCLUSIONS A larger proportion of women whose MBS improved had a Lactobacillus dominant microbiota at enrollment than those who had no improvement during the trial, though this difference was not statistically significant. Larger trials are needed to determine whether vaginal microbiota modify or mediate treatment responses in women with GSM.
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Kroon SJ, Ravel J, Huston WM. Cervicovaginal microbiota, women's health, and reproductive outcomes. Fertil Steril 2019; 110:327-336. [PMID: 30098679 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The human microbiome project has shown a remarkable diversity of microbial ecology within the human body. The vaginal microbiota is unique in that in many women it is most often dominated by Lactobacillus species. However, in some women it lacks Lactobacillus spp. and is comprised of a wide array of strict and facultative anaerobes, a state that broadly correlates with increased risk for infection, disease, and poor reproductive and obstetric outcomes. Interestingly, the level of protection against infection can also vary by species and strains of Lactobacillus, and some species although dominant are not always optimal. This factors into the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections and possibly influences the occurrence of resultant adverse reproductive outcomes such as tubal factor infertility. The composition and function of the vaginal microbiota appear to play an important role in pregnancy and fertility treatment outcomes and future research in this field will shed further translational mechanistic understanding onto the interplay of the vaginal microbiota with women's health and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Kroon
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wilhelmina M Huston
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Gliniewicz K, Schneider GM, Ridenhour BJ, Williams CJ, Song Y, Farage MA, Miller K, Forney LJ. Comparison of the Vaginal Microbiomes of Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:193. [PMID: 30837959 PMCID: PMC6382698 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
For decades hormone therapy (HT) has been prescribed to treat the symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness, itching and burning. Here we sought to compare the vaginal microbiomes of postmenopausal women who received low dose estrogen therapy to those of premenopausal and postmenopausal women, and to do so in conjunction with assessing the alleviation of symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy. In this study vaginal swab samples were obtained from 45 women who were classified as either premenopausal, postmenopausal, or postmenopausal and undergoing HT. The vaginal microbiomes of these women were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bacterial abundances were quantified by qPCR. We found that the vaginal communities from our cohort could be divided into six clusters (A-F) based on differences in the composition and relative abundances of bacterial taxa. Communities in cluster A were dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus, and those of cluster B were dominated by Gardnerella vaginalis. Communities in cluster C had high proportions of L. iners, while those in cluster D were more even and included several co-dominant taxa. Communities in clusters E and F were dominated by Bifidobacterium and L. gasseri, respectively. The vaginal communities of most postmenopausal women receiving HT (10/15) were dominated by species of lactobacilli and belonged to clusters A, C, and F (P < 0.001). This sharply contrasts with vaginal communities of postmenopausal women without HT, most of which (10/15) were in cluster D, depleted of lactobacilli, and had about 10-fold fewer total bacteria (P < 0.05). The vaginal communities of women in each study group differed in terms of the dominant bacterial species composition and relative abundance. Those of postmenopausal women receiving HT significantly differed from those of postmenopausal women without HT and were most often dominated by species of Lactobacillus. Noteworthy, HT greatly improved vaginal atrophy scores, decreased vaginal pH, and significantly increased bacterial numbers in comparison to postmenopausal women not receiving HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karol Gliniewicz
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | - G. Maria Schneider
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
| | | | | | - Yuli Song
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | | | - Kenneth Miller
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Larry J. Forney
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States
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41
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Mack CI, Weinert CH, Egert B, Ferrario PG, Bub A, Hoffmann I, Watzl B, Daniel H, Kulling SE. The complex human urinary sugar profile: determinants revealed in the cross-sectional KarMeN study. Am J Clin Nutr 2018; 108:502-516. [PMID: 30535088 PMCID: PMC6134285 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although sugars and sugar derivatives are an important class of metabolites involved in many physiologic processes, there is limited knowledge on their occurrence and pattern in biofluids. Objective Our aim was to obtain a comprehensive urinary sugar profile of healthy participants and to demonstrate the wide applicability and usefulness of this sugar profiling approach for nutritional as well as clinical studies. Design In the cross-sectional KarMeN study, the 24-h urine samples of 301 healthy participants on an unrestricted diet, assessed via a 24-h recall, were analyzed by a newly developed semitargeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling method that enables the detection of known and unknown sugar compounds. Statistical analyses were performed with respect to associations of sex and diet with the urinary sugar profile. Results In total, 40 known and 15 unknown sugar compounds were detected in human urine, ranging from mono- and disaccharides, polyols, and sugar acids to currently unknown sugar-like compounds. A number of rarely analyzed sugars were found in urine samples. Maltose was found in statistically higher concentrations in the urine of women compared with men and was also associated with menopausal status. Further, a number of individual sugar compounds associated with the consumption of specific foods, such as avocado, or food groups, such as alcoholic beverages and dairy products, were identified. Conclusions We here provide data on the complex nature of the sugar profile in human urine, of which some compounds may have the potential to serve as dietary markers or early disease biomarkers. Thus, comprehensive urinary sugar profiling not only has the potential to increase our knowledge of host sugar metabolism, but can also reveal new dietary markers after consumption of individual food items, and may lead to the identification of early disease biomarkers in the future. The KarMeN study was registered at drks.de as DRKS00004890.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina I Mack
- Departments of Safety and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables, Max Rubner-Institut, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Christoph H Weinert
- Departments of Safety and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables, Max Rubner-Institut, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Björn Egert
- Departments of Safety and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables, Max Rubner-Institut, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Paola G Ferrario
- Departments of Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Max Rubner-Institut, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Achim Bub
- Departments of Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Max Rubner-Institut, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ingrid Hoffmann
- Departments of Nutritional Behaviour, Max Rubner-Institut, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Bernhard Watzl
- Departments of Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Max Rubner-Institut, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Hannelore Daniel
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Technical University of Munich, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Sabine E Kulling
- Departments of Safety and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables, Max Rubner-Institut, Karlsruhe, Germany,Address correspondence to SEK (e-mail: )
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Abstract
A woman's vaginal pH has many implications on her health and it can be a useful tool in disease diagnosis and prevention. For that reason, the further examination of the relationship between the human vaginal pH and microbiota is imperative. In the past several decades, much has been learned about the physiological mechanisms modulating the vaginal pH, and exogenous/genetic factors that may influence it. A unified, coherent understanding of these concepts is presented to comprehend their interrelationships and their cumulative effect on a woman's health. In this review, we explore research on vaginal pH and microbiota throughout a woman's life, vaginal intermediate cell anaerobic metabolism and net proton secretion by the vaginal epithelial, and the way these factors interact to acidify the vaginal pH. This review provides foundational information about what a microbiota is and its relationship with human physiology and vaginal pH. We then evaluate the influence of physiological mechanisms, demographic factors, and propose ideas for the mechanisms behind their action on the vaginal pH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelly M Tucker
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , CONRAD Clinical Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School , Norfolk , VI , USA
| | | | - David F Archer
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , CONRAD Clinical Research Center, Eastern Virginia Medical School , Norfolk , VI , USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine associations between the composition of the vaginal microbiota and genitourinary menopausal symptoms, serum estrogen, and vaginal glycogen. METHODS For this cross-sectional study, 88 women aged 40 to 62 years, enrolled in a hot flash treatment trial, provided vaginal swabs and a blood sample at enrollment. Bacterial communities were characterized using 16S rRNA PCR and deep sequencing targeting the V3-V4 region. Quantities of Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus iners were measured using qPCR. Self-reported genitourinary symptoms included: presence and severity of individual symptoms and identification of most bothersome symptom. Glycogen was measured fluorometrically in swab eluate. Serum estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) were measured by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Associations between bacteria, symptoms, glycogen, and serum estrogens were tested by linear regression or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, adjusted for multiple comparisons. Comparisons between groups used Kruskall-Wallis or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS Of the 88 women, 33 (38%) had a majority of Lactobacillus species, whereas 58 (66%) had any Lactobacillus detected. Over half (53%) reported at least one vulvovaginal symptom (most commonly dryness), but symptoms were not associated with the presence of Lactobacillus species. Women with Lactobacillus-dominant communities had higher unconjugated serum estrone, but no difference in vaginal glycogen levels, compared with those with non-Lactobacillus-dominant communities. Higher serum E2 and E1 were not associated with either higher vaginal glycogen or detection of individual genera. CONCLUSIONS Presence of Lactobacillus-dominant vaginal microbiota was not associated with fewer vulvovaginal symptoms. Serum estrone was higher in women with Lactobacillus dominance, but vaginal-free glycogen was not associated with composition of the vaginal microbiota.
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Dysbiosis of urinary microbiota is positively correlated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Oncotarget 2018; 8:3798-3810. [PMID: 28008148 PMCID: PMC5354796 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.14028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may be associated with altered urinary microbiota in female patients. We investigated alterations of urinary microbiota in Chinese female T2DM patients, and explored the associations between urinary microbiota and a patient's fasting blood glucose (FBG), urine glucose (UGLU), age, menstrual status, and body mass index (BMI). Midstream urine was collected from 70 female T2DM patients and 70 healthy females. Microbial diversity and composition were analyzed using the Illumina MiSeq sequencing platform by targeting the hypervariable V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. We found that bacterial diversity was decreased in T2DM patients. Increased Actinobacteria phylum was positively correlated with FBG, UGLU, and BMI; Lactobacillus abundance decreased with age and menopause; and increased Lactobacillus correlated positively with FBG and UGLU. Decreased Akkermansia muciniphila was associated with FBG and UGLU. Escherichia coli abundance did not differ between the two cohorts. Carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism was reduced in T2DM patients, which were associated with bacterial richness indices such as Chao1 and ACE. Detailed microbiota analysis of well-characterized T2DM patients and healthy controls indicate that Chinese T2DM female patients exhibit dysbiosis of urinary microbiota.
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Intrinsic and extrinsic carbohydrates in the vagina: A short review on vaginal glycogen. Int J Biol Macromol 2018; 112:203-206. [PMID: 29391223 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.01.166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The reasons for (i) the presence and (ii) mechanisms of utilisation of glycogen by the lactic acid bacteria in the human vaginal tract are not well understood. It is probable that the vaginal epithelia produce both glycogen and α-amylase where the enzyme depolymerises the polysaccharide within the vagina itself. Only these depolymerised residues are then utilised for growth by the lactic acid bacteria. The lactic acid bacteria cannot metabolise the glycogen directly due to their incapacity to produce the α-amylase enzyme. These bacteria may, however, metabolise exogenous carbohydrates (such as prebiotics) selectively for growth effectively. These carbohydrate utilisation issues within the vagina are considered in this short review.
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Amabebe E, Anumba DOC. Psychosocial Stress, Cortisol Levels, and Maintenance of Vaginal Health. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:568. [PMID: 30319548 PMCID: PMC6165882 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stress stimuli are ubiquitous and women do not enjoy any exemptions. The physiologic "fight-or-flight" response may be deleterious to the female lower genital tract microbiome if the stress stimuli persist for longer than necessary. Persistent exposure to psychosocial stress and stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) axes, and associated hormones are risk factors for several infections including genitourinary tract infections. Though this could be due to a dysregulated immune response, a cortisol-induced inhibition of vaginal glycogen deposition may be involved especially in the instance of vaginal infection. The estrogen-related increased vaginal glycogen and epithelial maturation are required for the maintenance of a healthy vaginal ecosystem (eubiosis). The ability of cortisol to disrupt this process as indicated in animal models is important in the pathogenesis of vaginal dysbiosis and the subsequent development of infection and inflammation. This phenomenon may be more crucial in pregnancy where a healthy Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota is sacrosanct, and there is local production of more corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the decidua, fetal membranes and placenta. To highlight the relationship between the stress hormone cortisol and the vaginal microbiomial architecture and function, the potential role of cortisol in the maintenance of vaginal health is examined.
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Liu F, Ling Z, Xiao Y, Yang Q, Zheng L, Jiang P, Li L, Wang W. Characterization of the urinary microbiota of elderly women and the effects of type 2 diabetes and urinary tract infections on the microbiota. Oncotarget 2017; 8:100678-100690. [PMID: 29246012 PMCID: PMC5725054 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence shows that urine has complex bacterial profiles with considerable variation between individuals. Aging and age-related conditions can lead to the changes to the composition of urine, which means that the available nutrition for bacteria in the bladder changes with age. We explored the characteristics of the urinary microbiota of elderly women and whether these are associated with age-related conditions such as diabetes and urinary tract infections. An elderly and a non-elderly cohort of women were included. Magnetic beads were used to isolate bacterial genomic DNA, which was analyzed based on the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. There were significant differences between the elderly and non-elderly regarding thirteen genera of bacteria. For example, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was dramatically reduced in the elderly compared with the non-elderly; it also decreased with age in the elderly cohort and it was not correlated with urine pH. The relative abundance of Peptococcus increased with age in the elderly while the abundance of Bifidobacteria decreased with age. The abundance of Escherichia coli was the same in the two cohorts, and it increased with water intake and was not associated with urinary tract infection events. Higher levels of Lactobacillus (including Lactobacillus iners) in the elderly were associated with diabetes, and lower levels of Peptoniphilus and Dialister were correlated with asymptomatic bacteriuria. The urinary microbiota of women is affected by ageing, type 2 diabetes mellitus and asymtomatic bacteriuria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengping Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
- Nursing Department, Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine, Yancheng, Jiangsu, 224005, China
| | - Zongxin Ling
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Yonghong Xiao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Li Zheng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Ping Jiang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Lanjuan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
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Association of high-risk sexual behaviour with diversity of the vaginal microbiota and abundance of Lactobacillus. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187612. [PMID: 29095928 PMCID: PMC5667760 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To compare the vaginal microbiota of women engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour (sex work) with women who are not engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour. Diverse vaginal microbiota, low in Lactobacillus species, like those in bacterial vaginosis (BV), are associated with increased prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition. Although high-risk sexual behaviour increases risk for STIs, the vaginal microbiota of sex workers is understudied. Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted comparing vaginal microbiota of women who are not engaged in sex work (non-sex worker controls, NSW, N = 19) and women engaged in sex work (female sex workers, FSW, N = 48), using Illumina sequencing (16S rRNA, V3 region). Results Bacterial richness and diversity were significantly less in controls, than FSW. Controls were more likely to have Lactobacillus as the most abundant genus (58% vs. 17%; P = 0.002) and composition of their vaginal microbiota differed from FSW (PERMANOVA, P = 0.001). Six microbiota clusters were detected, including a high diversity cluster with three sub-clusters, and 55% of women with low Nugent Scores fell within this cluster. High diversity was observed by 16S sequencing in FSW, regardless of Nugent Scores, suggesting that Nugent Score may not be capable of capturing the diversity present in the FSW vaginal microbiota. Conclusions High-risk sexual behaviour is associated with diversity of the vaginal microbiota and lack of Lactobacillus. These factors could contribute to increased risk of STIs and HIV in women engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour.
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Abdelmaksoud AA, Girerd PH, Garcia EM, Brooks JP, Leftwich LM, Sheth NU, Bradley SP, Serrano MG, Fettweis JM, Huang B, Strauss JF, Buck GA, Jefferson KK. Association between statin use, the vaginal microbiome, and Gardnerella vaginalis vaginolysin-mediated cytotoxicity. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183765. [PMID: 28846702 PMCID: PMC5573284 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the leading dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome. The pathways leading towards the development of BV are not well understood. Gardnerella vaginalis is frequently associated with BV. G. vaginalis produces the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC), vaginolysin, which can lyse a variety of human cells and is thought to play a role in pathogenesis. Because membrane cholesterol is required for vaginolysin to function, and because HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) affect not only serum levels of cholesterol but membrane levels as well, we hypothesized that statins might affect the vaginal microbiome. METHODS To investigate the relationship between use of the statins and the vaginal microbiome, we analyzed 16S rRNA gene taxonomic surveys performed on vaginal samples from 133 women who participated in the Vaginal Human Microbiome Project and who were taking statins at the time of sampling, 152 women who reported high cholesterol levels but were not taking statins, and 316 women who did not report high cholesterol. To examine the effect of statins on the cytolytic effect of vaginolysin, the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin (CDC) produced by Gardnerella vaginalis, we assessed the effect of simvastatin pretreatment of VK2E6/E7 vaginal epithelial cells on vaginolysin-mediated cytotoxicity. RESULTS The mean proportion of G. vaginalis among women taking statins was significantly lower relative to women not using statins. Women using statins had higher mean proportions of Lactobacillus crispatus relative to women with normal cholesterol levels, and higher levels of Lactobacillus jensenii relative to women with high cholesterol but not taking statins. In vitro, vaginal epithelial cells pretreated with simvastatin were relatively resistant to vaginolysin and this effect was inhibited by cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS In this cross-sectional study, statin use was associated with reduced proportions of G. vaginalis and greater proportions of beneficial lactobacilli within the vaginal microbiome. The negative association between statin use and G. vaginalis may be related to inhibition of vaginolysin function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah A. Abdelmaksoud
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Philippe H. Girerd
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Erin M. Garcia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - J. Paul Brooks
- Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Lauren M. Leftwich
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Nihar U. Sheth
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Steven P. Bradley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Myrna G. Serrano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M. Fettweis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Bernice Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Jerome F. Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Buck
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Kimberly K. Jefferson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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