Study of the Vaginal Microbiota in Healthy Women of Reproductive Age

Understanding the characteristics of the vaginal microbiota of our patients allows us to carry out both a personalized therapeutic approach and a closer follow-up in those with microbiota susceptible to dysbiosis. This trial pursues the analysis of the vaginal microbiota of premenopausal women and i...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Melanie C. Alonzo Martínez, Eduardo Cazorla, Esther Cánovas, Juan F. Martínez-Blanch, Empar Chenoll, Eric Climent, Vicente Navarro-López
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/5/1069
Description
Summary:Understanding the characteristics of the vaginal microbiota of our patients allows us to carry out both a personalized therapeutic approach and a closer follow-up in those with microbiota susceptible to dysbiosis. This trial pursues the analysis of the vaginal microbiota of premenopausal women and its fluctuations within a four-week follow-up period. Vaginal samples of 76 fertile women were taken at a baseline visit and at a final visit (day 28 ± 5). To perform a phylogenetic study, we employed massive sequencing techniques to detect the 16S rRNA gene of the vaginal microbiota. The most prevalent vaginal microbial community was type I (34.87%), dominated by <i>Lactobacillus crispatus</i>. Vaginal microbial community types II (<i>Lactobacillus gasseri</i>) and V (<i>Lactobacillus jensenii</i>) were underrepresented in our population. When repeating the sampling process four weeks later, 75% of our patients maintained their initial bacterial community. In the follicular phase, the most recurrent microbiota was type III (<i>Lactobacillus iners</i>); in the periovulatory phase, types III and IV (microbial diversity); finally, in the luteal phase, the most frequent type was IV. The most prevalent vaginal bacterial community in our population was dominated by <i>L. crispatus</i>. The vaginal microbiota was resistant to changes in its bacterial community in 75% of our patients, even between consecutive menstrual cycles.
ISSN:2076-2607