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Microbes on the human vaginal epithelium
Richard W Hyman1, Marilyn Fukushima, Lisa Diamond
1Stanford Genome Technology Center and Departments of Biochemistry, Genetics, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, 855 California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. rhyman@stanford.edu
Summary
The human vaginal microbiome composition varies greatly among healthy women. Lactobacillus species, crucial for vaginal health, were inconsistently detected, with other bacteria often predominating.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Microbiome Research
- Vaginal Health Studies
Background:
- The vaginal microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining reproductive health.
- Lactobacillus species are commonly considered key commensals in a healthy vaginal environment.
- Previous studies suggest a dominant role for Lactobacillus, but detailed characterization is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and quantify the microbial communities present in the vaginal epithelia of healthy women.
- To assess the variability and composition of the vaginal microbiome, specifically focusing on Lactobacillus presence and diversity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a gene-based approach involving Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene.
- Employed very deep sequencing of amplified 16S rRNA gene products for microbial identification and quantification.
- Analyzed samples from 20 healthy women's vaginal epithelia.
Main Results:
- Significant variability in Lactobacillus abundance was observed, ranging from 0% to 100% across the 20 subjects.
- In four subjects, Lactobacillus was the predominant or sole detected bacterium, yet it was not clonal, comprising diverse species and strains.
- Eight subjects exhibited complex microbial mixtures including Lactobacillus and other bacteria.
- The remaining eight subjects lacked Lactobacillus, with other genera like Bifidobacterium, Gardnerella, Prevotella, Pseudomonas, or Streptococcus being predominant.
Conclusions:
- The healthy human vaginal microbiome is highly variable and not exclusively dominated by Lactobacillus species.
- The absence of Lactobacillus in a significant portion of healthy women suggests alternative microbial compositions can also be associated with health.
- Further research is needed to understand the functional implications of different vaginal microbiome configurations and their impact on health outcomes.