1
|
Gajecka M, Gutaj P, Jaskiewicz K, Rydzanicz M, Szczapa T, Kaminska D, Kosewski G, Przyslawski J, Ploski R, Wender-Ozegowska E. Effects of maternal type 1 diabetes and confounding factors on neonatal microbiomes. Diabetologia 2024; 67:312-326. [PMID: 38030736 PMCID: PMC10789840 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-023-06047-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Body niche-specific microbiota in maternal-neonatal dyads from gravidae with type 1 diabetes have not been quantitatively and functionally examined. Similarly, the impact of pregnancy-specific factors, such as the presence of comorbidities known to occur more frequently among gravidae with type 1 diabetes, including Caesarean delivery, as well as antibiotic prophylaxis, level of glycaemic control during each trimester of pregnancy and insulin administration, has not been adequately considered. The aims of this study were to characterise the maternal and neonatal microbiomes, assess aspects of microbiota transfer from the maternal microbiomes to the neonatal microbiome and explore the impact of type 1 diabetes and confounding factors on the microbiomes. METHODS In this observational case-control study, we characterised microbiome community composition and function using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing in a total of 514 vaginal, rectal and ear-skin swabs and stool samples derived from 92 maternal-neonatal dyads (including 50 gravidae with type 1 diabetes) and in-depth clinical metadata from throughout pregnancy and delivery. RESULTS Type 1 diabetes-specific microbiota were identified among gravidae with type 1 diabetes and their neonates. Neonatal microbiome profiles of ear-skin swabs and stool samples were established, indicating the taxa more prevalent among neonates born to mothers with type 1 diabetes compared with neonates born to control mothers. Without taking into account the type 1 diabetes status of mothers, both delivery mode and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis were found to have an influence on neonatal microbiota composition (both p=0.001). In the logistic regression analysis involving all confounding variables, neonatal ear-skin microbiome variation was explained by maternal type 1 diabetes status (p=0.020) and small for gestational age birthweight (p=0.050). Moreover, in women with type 1 diabetes, a relationship was found between HbA1c levels >55 mmol/mol (>7.2%) measured in the first trimester of pregnancy and neonatal ear-skin microbiota composition (p=0.008). In the PICRUSt (Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States) assessment, pathways concerning carbohydrate biosynthesis were predicted as key elements of the microbial functional profiles dysregulated in type 1 diabetes. Additionally, in SourceTracker analysis, we found that, on average, 81.0% of neonatal microbiota was attributed to maternal sources. An increase in the contribution of maternal rectum microbiota and decrease in the contribution of maternal cervix microbiota were found in ear-skin samples of vaginally delivered neonates of mothers with type 1 diabetes compared with neonates born to control mothers (83.2% vs 59.5% and 0.7% vs 5.2%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION These findings indicate that, in addition to maternal type 1 diabetes, glycaemic dysregulation before/in the first trimester of pregnancy, mode of delivery and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis may contribute to the inoculation and formation of the neonatal microbiomes. DATA AVAILABILITY The BioProject (PRJNA961636) and associated SRA metadata are available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject/961636 . Processed data on probiotic supplementation and the PICRUSt analysis are available in the Mendeley Data Repository ( https://doi.org/10.17632/g68rwnnrfk.1 ).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marzena Gajecka
- Chair and Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Pawel Gutaj
- Department of Reproduction, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | | | | | - Tomasz Szczapa
- Department of Neonatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Dorota Kaminska
- Chair and Department of Genetics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Kosewski
- Chair and Department of Bromatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Juliusz Przyslawski
- Chair and Department of Bromatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Rafal Ploski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Wender-Ozegowska
- Department of Reproduction, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
McCoy ZT, Serrano MG, Edupuganti L, Spaine KM, Edwards DJ, Buck GA, Jefferson KK. Antibody Response to the Sneathia vaginalis Cytopathogenic Toxin A during Pregnancy. Immunohorizons 2024; 8:114-121. [PMID: 38276916 PMCID: PMC10832334 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2400001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Sneathia vaginalis is a Gram-negative vaginal species that is associated with pregnancy complications. It produces cytopathogenic toxin A (CptA), a pore-forming toxin. To determine whether CptA is expressed in vivo and to examine the mucosal Ab response to the toxin, we examined human midvaginal swab samples obtained during pregnancy for IgM, IgA, and IgG Abs with CptA affinity. This subcohort study included samples from 93 pregnant people. S. vaginalis relative abundance was available through 16S rRNA survey. There were 22 samples from pregnancies that resulted in preterm birth in which S. vaginalis relative abundance was <0.005%, 22 samples from pregnancies that resulted in preterm birth with S. vaginalis ≥0.005%, 24 samples from pregnancies that resulted in term birth with S. vaginalis <0.005%, and 25 samples from pregnancies that resulted in term birth with S. vaginalis ≥0.005%. IgM, IgA, and IgG with affinity for CptA were assessed by ELISA. The capacity for the samples to neutralize CptA was quantified by hemolysis assay. All three Ab isotypes were detectable within different subsets of the samples. There was no significant association between relative abundance of S. vaginalis and the presence of any Ab isotype. The majority of vaginal swab samples containing detectable levels of anti-CptA Abs neutralized the hemolytic activity of CptA, with the strongest correlation between IgA and neutralizing activity. These results demonstrate that S. vaginalis produces CptA in vivo and that CptA is recognized by the host immune defenses, resulting in the production of Abs with toxin-neutralizing ability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zion T. McCoy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Myrna G. Serrano
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Laahirie Edupuganti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Katherine M. Spaine
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - David J. Edwards
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
- Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Gregory A. Buck
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Kimberly K. Jefferson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kanninen T, Tao L, Romero R, Xu Y, Arenas-Hernandez M, Galaz J, Liu Z, Miller D, Levenson D, Greenberg JM, Panzer J, Padron J, Theis KR, Gomez-Lopez N. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin participates in the host response to intra-amniotic inflammation leading to preterm labor and birth. Hum Immunol 2023; 84:450-463. [PMID: 37422429 PMCID: PMC10530449 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2023.06.005] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to establish the role of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in the intra-amniotic host response of women with spontaneous preterm labor (sPTL) and birth. Amniotic fluid and chorioamniotic membranes (CAM) were collected from women with sPTL who delivered at term (n = 30) or preterm without intra-amniotic inflammation (n = 34), with sterile intra-amniotic inflammation (SIAI, n = 27), or with intra-amniotic infection (IAI, n = 17). Amnion epithelial cells (AEC), Ureaplasma parvum, and Sneathia spp. were also utilized. The expression of TSLP, TSLPR, and IL-7Rα was evaluated in amniotic fluid or CAM by RT-qPCR and/or immunoassays. AEC co-cultured with Ureaplasma parvum or Sneathia spp. were evaluated for TSLP expression by immunofluorescence and/or RT-qPCR. Our data show that TSLP was elevated in amniotic fluid of women with SIAI or IAI and expressed by the CAM. TSLPR and IL-7Rα had detectable gene and protein expression in the CAM; yet, CRLF2 was specifically elevated with IAI. While TSLP localized to all layers of the CAM and increased with SIAI or IAI, TSLPR and IL-7Rα were minimal and became most apparent with IAI. Co-culture experiments indicated that Ureaplasma parvum and Sneathia spp. differentially upregulated TSLP expression in AEC. Together, these findings indicate that TSLP is a central component of the intra-amniotic host response during sPTL.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomi Kanninen
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Li Tao
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Yi Xu
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Marcia Arenas-Hernandez
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Jose Galaz
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Zhenjie Liu
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Derek Miller
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Dustyn Levenson
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Jonathan M Greenberg
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Jonathan Panzer
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Justin Padron
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Kevin R Theis
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Pregnancy Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, MD, 20892 and Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang R, Zhang Z, Xu M, Li W, Sun Y, Dai Y, Yang X, Lin S. Bartholin's gland cyst caused by Sneathia amnii: a case report. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:333. [PMID: 37198537 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08302-z] [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: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sneathia amnii is a conditional pathogen of the female genital tract that is involved in bacterial vaginosis and poor reproductive and perinatal outcomes. Few studies have reported subcutaneous cysts following invasive infection caused by S amnii. CASE PRESENTATION Here we report the case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with Bartholin's gland cyst due to S amnii infection, and was successfully treated with surgical neostomy and antibiotic agents. The isolate was gram-negative, bacillary, anaerobic, and was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16 S rRNA. CONCLUSIONS S amni is an important but underappreciated pathogen that needs further investigation. This report describes the microbial and pathogenic characteristics of S amnii and is expected to provide a valuable reference in obstetric and gynecologic clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ranran Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 54 Youdian Road, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Zhezhong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 54 Youdian Road, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Minjing Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 54 Youdian Road, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Wenjie Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 54 Youdian Road, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Yanwen Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 54 Youdian Road, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Yuliang Dai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 54 Youdian Road, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Xuejing Yang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 54 Youdian Road, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, P.R. China
| | - Shaohua Lin
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, 54 Youdian Road, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, P.R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wu M, Yu H, Gao Y, Li H, Wang C, Li H, Ma X, Dong M, Li B, Bai J, Dong Y, Fan X, Zhang J, Yan Y, Qi W, Han C, Fan A, Xue F. Leveraging 16S rRNA data to uncover vaginal microbial signatures in women with cervical cancer. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1024723. [PMID: 36743303 PMCID: PMC9892946 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1024723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbiota-relevant signatures have been investigated for human papillomavirus-related cervical cancer (CC), but lack consistency because of study- and methodology-derived heterogeneities. Here, four publicly available 16S rRNA datasets including 171 vaginal samples (51 CC versus 120 healthy controls) were analyzed to characterize reproducible CC-associated microbial signatures. We employed a recently published clustering approach called VAginaL community state typE Nearest CentroId clAssifier to assign the metadata to 13 community state types (CSTs) in our study. Nine subCSTs were identified. A random forest model (RFM) classifier was constructed to identify 33 optimal genus-based and 94 species-based signatures. Confounder analysis revealed confounding effects on both study- and hypervariable region-associated aspects. After adjusting for confounders, multivariate analysis identified 14 significantly changed taxa in CC versus the controls (P < 0.05). Furthermore, predicted functional analysis revealed significantly upregulated pathways relevant to the altered vaginal microbiota in CC. Cofactor, carrier, and vitamin biosynthesis were significantly enriched in CC, followed by fatty acid and lipid biosynthesis, and fermentation of short-chain fatty acids. Genus-based contributors to the differential functional abundances were also displayed. Overall, this integrative study identified reproducible and generalizable signatures in CC, suggesting the causal role of specific taxa in CC pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ming Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongfei Yu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yueqian Gao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Huanrong Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Huiyang Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaotong Ma
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengting Dong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Bijun Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Junyi Bai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yalan Dong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiangqin Fan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jintian Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ye Yan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenhui Qi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Cha Han
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Aiping Fan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Fengxia Xue
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gershater E, Liu Y, Xue B, Shin MK, Koo H, Zheng Z, Li C. Characterizing the microbiota of cleft lip and palate patients: a comprehensive review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1159455. [PMID: 37143743 PMCID: PMC10152472 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1159455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Orofacial cleft disorders, including cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P), are one of the most frequently-occurring congenital disorders worldwide. The health issues of patients with CL/P encompass far more than just their anatomic anomaly, as patients with CL/P are prone to having a high incidence of infectious diseases. While it has been previously established that the oral microbiome of patients with CL/P differs from that of unaffected patients, the exact nature of this variance, including the relevant bacterial species, has not been fully elucidated; likewise, examination of anatomic locations besides the cleft site has been neglected. Here, we intended to provide a comprehensive review to highlight the significant microbiota differences between CL/P patients and healthy subjects in various anatomic locations, including the teeth inside and adjacent to the cleft, oral cavity, nasal cavity, pharynx, and ear, as well as bodily fluids, secretions, and excretions. A number of bacterial and fungal species that have been proven to be pathogenic were found to be prevalently and/or specifically detected in CL/P patients, which can benefit the development of CL/P-specific microbiota management strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuan Liu
- Biofilm Research Laboratories, Levy Center for Oral Health, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Binglan Xue
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Min Kyung Shin
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Hyun Koo
- Biofilm Research Laboratories, Levy Center for Oral Health, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine and School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Zhong Zheng
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Zhong Zheng, ; Chenshuang Li,
| | - Chenshuang Li
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Zhong Zheng, ; Chenshuang Li,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Łaniewski P, Herbst-Kralovetz MM. Bacterial vaginosis and health-associated bacteria modulate the immunometabolic landscape in 3D model of human cervix. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2021; 7:88. [PMID: 34903740 PMCID: PMC8669023 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-021-00259-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an enigmatic polymicrobial condition characterized by a depletion of health-associated Lactobacillus and an overgrowth of anaerobes. Importantly, BV is linked to adverse gynecologic and obstetric outcomes: an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, preterm birth, and cancer. We hypothesized that members of the cervicovaginal microbiota distinctly contribute to immunometabolic changes in the human cervix, leading to these sequelae. Our 3D epithelial cell model that recapitulates the human cervical epithelium was infected with clinical isolates of cervicovaginal bacteria, alone or as a polymicrobial community. We used Lactobacillus crispatus as a representative health-associated commensal and four common BV-associated species: Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella bivia, Atopobium vaginae, and Sneathia amnii. The immunometabolic profiles of these microenvironments were analyzed using multiplex immunoassays and untargeted global metabolomics. A. vaginae and S. amnii exhibited the highest proinflammatory potential through induction of cytokines, iNOS, and oxidative stress-associated compounds. G. vaginalis, P. bivia, and S. amnii distinctly altered physicochemical barrier-related proteins and metabolites (mucins, sialic acid, polyamines), whereas L. crispatus produced an antimicrobial compound, phenyllactic acid. Alterations to the immunometabolic landscape correlate with symptoms and hallmarks of BV and connected BV with adverse women’s health outcomes. Overall, this study demonstrated that 3D cervical epithelial cell colonized with cervicovaginal microbiota faithfully reproduce the immunometabolic microenvironment previously observed in clinical studies and can successfully be used as a robust tool to evaluate host responses to commensal and pathogenic bacteria in the female reproductive tract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Łaniewski
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine - Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Melissa M Herbst-Kralovetz
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine - Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine - Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gruwier L, Sprenkels A, Hulsbosch S, Vankeerberghen A, Cartuyvels R. Sneathia amnii bacteraemia and chorioamnionitis leading to second trimester abortion: a case report. Access Microbiol 2021; 3:000290. [PMID: 35024552 PMCID: PMC8749150 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sneathia amnii (formerly designated as Leptotrichia amnionii) was first described in 2002 in the USA. Members of the genus Sneathia can be part of the normal flora of the genitourinary tract, but have been implicated in invasive (mostly gynaecological) infections. Case presentation To the best of our knowledge, here we present the first case of S. amnii infection in Belgium, in a young woman presenting with fever leading to second trimester septic abortion. Conclusion Despite its pathogenicity, S. amnii remains an underrated cause of infections due to inherent difficulties with conventional laboratory methods. By extracting the bacterial DNA directly from the blood culture broth and performing a 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis we succeeded in identifying S. amnii as the most probable cause of the septic abortion in our patient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lien Gruwier
- Jessa Hospital, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, Hasselt, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zhao F, Chen Y, Gao J, Wu M, Li C, Wang Z, Huang N, Cui L, Du M, Ying C. Characterization of Vaginal Microbiota in Women With Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion That Can Be Modified by Drug Treatment. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:680643. [PMID: 34490136 PMCID: PMC8417370 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.680643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The role of vaginal microbiota in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics of vaginal microbiota and the effects of drug treatment on vaginal microbiota of patients with RSA. Methods A case-control study was performed, in which non-pregnant patients who experienced RSA were selected and divided into untreated and drug-treated groups. Drug-treated patients were subdivided into the metformin group, metformin plus aspirin group, and other drugs group. Healthy women who had live births and never experienced spontaneous abortion were enrolled in the control group. Characteristics of vaginal microbiomes of patients with RSA and healthy women and the impact of drug treatment on the microbiome was evaluated via 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V3-V4 region using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Results Women who underwent RSA had lower microbial richness than healthy women. Compared to controls, the relative abundance of seven taxa (Megasphaera, Sneathia sanguinegens, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Rhodococcus, Burkholderia- Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, and Corynebacterium_1) in the patient's vaginal microbiota changed significantly, which may be closely related to RSA. The composition of the vaginal microbial community in RSA patients was altered by drug treatment. Metformin combined with aspirin treatment significantly increased the relative abundance of vaginal Lactobacillus spp. in patients. Conclusion An altered vaginal microbiome composition might be associated with RSA, which could be modified by drug treatment. The effect of metformin combined with aspirin on vaginal Lactobacillus is worthy of attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fuju Zhao
- Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Clinical Laboratory, Huadong Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yisheng Chen
- Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengyin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of the Ministry of Education/Ministry of Health (MOE/MOH), Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cui Li
- Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiheng Wang
- Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nali Huang
- Sinotech Genomics Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Lefang Cui
- Sinotech Genomics Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Meirong Du
- NHC Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation (Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research), Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunmei Ying
- Clinical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Theis KR, Florova V, Romero R, Borisov AB, Winters AD, Galaz J, Gomez-Lopez N. Sneathia: an emerging pathogen in female reproductive disease and adverse perinatal outcomes. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 47:517-542. [PMID: 33823747 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.1905606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Sneathia is an emerging pathogen implicated in adverse reproductive and perinatal outcomes. Although scarce, recent data suggest that vaginally residing Sneathia becomes pathogenic following its ascension into the upper urogenital tract, amniotic fluid, placenta, and foetal membranes. The role of Sneathia in women's health and disease is generally underappreciated because the cultivation of these bacteria is limited by their complex nutritional requirements, slow growth patterns, and anaerobic nature. For this reason, molecular methods are typically required for the detection and differential diagnosis of Sneathia infections. Here, we review the laboratory methods used for the diagnosis of Sneathia infections, the molecular mechanisms underlying its virulence, and its sensitivity to antibiotics. We further review the evidence of Sneathia's contributions to the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis, chorioamnionitis, preterm prelabour rupture of membranes, spontaneous preterm labour, stillbirth, maternal and neonatal sepsis, HIV infection, and cervical cancer. Collectively, growing evidence indicates that Sneathia represents an important yet underappreciated pathogen affecting the development and progression of several adverse clinical conditions diagnosed in pregnant women and their neonates, as well as in non-pregnant women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R Theis
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Violetta Florova
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Andrei B Borisov
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Andrew D Winters
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Eisenberg T, Gronow S, Falgenhauer J, Imirzalioglu C, Mühldorfer K, Rau J, Blom J, Fawzy A, Glaeser SP, Kämpfer P. Sneathia vaginalis sp. nov. ( Fusobacteriales, Leptotrichiaceae) as a replacement of the species ' Sneathia amnii' Harwich et al. 2012 and ' Leptotrichia amnionii' Shukla et al. 2002, and emended description of Sneathia Collins et al. 2001. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021; 71. [PMID: 33616512 DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the genus Sneathia are fastidious bacteria that predominantly colonise the female genital tract and are significantly associated with reproductive disorders and genital and neonatal disease. From a taxonomical perspective, the genus only comprises the species Sneathia sanguinegens. Numerous reports on a second species, 'Sneathia amnii', have been published, but the name has never been validated. The same is the case for 'Leptotrichia amnionii', which was previously shown to belong to the same species as 'Sneathia amnii'. We studied strains DSM 16631T and DSM 16630, which have been identified and deposited as 'Leptotrichia amnionii' previously. At the time of isolation, these strains were found to be most closely related to, but clearly different from, Sneathia sanguinegens based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. Both strains proved to be almost indistinguishable from 'Sneathia amnii' based on molecular, morphological and physiological traits. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DSM 16631T was assigned to the genus Sneathia with a sequence similarity of 95.47 % to Sneathia sanguinegens CCUG 41628T, followed by type strains of Caviibacter abscessus (93.03 %), Oceanivirga salmonicida (92.68 %) and Oceanivirga miroungae (91.97 %) as the next closely related members of the Leptotrichiaceae. The novel species was also clearly differentiated from other related taxa by core genome phylogeny, average nucleotide and amino acid identities, in silico DNA-DNA hybridization and MALDI-TOF MS. With respect to chemotaxonomic and physiological patterns, strains DSM 16631T and DSM 16630 were again highly similar to Sneathia sanguinegens. On the basis of these data, we propose the novel species Sneathia vaginalis sp. nov. with the type strain DSM 16631T (=CCUG 52977T=CCUG 52889AT) and a second strain DSM 16630 (=CCUG 52976=CCUG 52888) that were both isolated from bloodstream infections in women with puerperal fever in France. The G+C content of the DNA of the type strain is 28.4 mol% and the genome size is 1.28 Mbp. Based on the observed extremely high similarities of genotypic and phenotypic traits of the novel proposed species to those reported for 'Sneathia amnii', we recommend using this new name in all further publications on this taxon.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Eisenberg
- Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany.,Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Sabine Gronow
- Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Culture GmbH, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jane Falgenhauer
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany and German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, Germany
| | - Can Imirzalioglu
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany and German Center of Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Giessen-Marburg-Langen, Germany
| | - Kristin Mühldorfer
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg Rau
- Chemical and Veterinary Analysis Agency Stuttgart, 70736 Fellbach, Germany
| | - Jochen Blom
- Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ahmad Fawzy
- Cairo University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Giza Square 12211, Egypt.,Hessian State Laboratory (LHL), 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefanie P Glaeser
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Peter Kämpfer
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Shotgun sequencing of the vaginal microbiome reveals both a species and functional potential signature of preterm birth. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2020; 6:50. [PMID: 33184260 PMCID: PMC7665020 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-020-00162-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An association between the vaginal microbiota and preterm birth (PTB) has been reported in several research studies. Population shifts from high proportions of lactobacilli to mixed species communities, as seen with bacterial vaginosis, have been linked to a twofold increased risk of PTB. Despite the increasing number of studies using next-generation sequencing technologies, primarily involving 16S rRNA-based approaches, to investigate the vaginal microbiota during pregnancy, no distinct microbial signature has been associated with PTB. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing offers a powerful tool to reveal community structures and their gene functions at a far greater resolution than amplicon sequencing. In this study, we employ shotgun metagenomic sequencing to compare the vaginal microbiota of women at high risk of preterm birth (n = 35) vs. a low-risk control group (n = 14). Although microbial diversity and richness did not differ between groups, there were significant differences in terms of individual species. In particular, Lactobacillus crispatus was associated with samples from a full-term pregnancy, whereas one community state-type was associated with samples from preterm pregnancies. Furthermore, by predicting gene functions, the functional potential of the preterm microbiota was different from that of full-term equivalent. Taken together, we observed a discrete structural and functional difference in the microbial composition of the vagina in women who deliver preterm. Importance: with an estimated 15 million cases annually, spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of death in infants under the age of five years. The ability to accurately identify pregnancies at risk of spontaneous PTB is therefore of utmost importance. However, no single cause is attributable. Microbial infection is a known risk factor, yet the role of vaginal microbes is poorly understood. Using high-resolution DNA-sequencing techniques, we investigate the microbial communities present in the vaginal tracts of women deemed high risk for PTB. We confirm that Lactobacillus crispatus is strongly linked to full-term pregnancies, whereas other microbial communities associate with PTB. Importantly, we show that the specific functions of the microbes present in PTB samples differs from FTB samples, highlighting the power of our sequencing approach. This information enables us to begin understanding the specific microbial traits that may be influencing PTB, beyond the presence or absence of microbial taxa.
Collapse
|