Intravaginal microbial flora by the 16S rRNA gene sequencing

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Gynecology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Background:

• Conventional diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV) presents challenges and controversies.
• Understanding the relationship between clinical stages and the vaginal microbiota is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• The intravaginal microbial flora plays a key role in vaginal health and disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To accurately analyze the intravaginal microbial flora using the clone library method.
• To understand the relationship between clinical stages of bacterial vaginosis and the associated microbiotas.
• To compare clone library analysis with conventional diagnostic methods for bacterial vaginosis.

Main Methods:

• Vaginal fluid samples were collected from 31 patients.
• Methods included Lactobacillary grade assessment, Nugent score, culture-based analysis, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing via clone library analysis.
• Principal component analysis was used to analyze microbial proportions.

Main Results:

• Patients were classified into three groups based on Lactobacillary grade: normal (I), intermediate (II), and bacterial vaginosis (III).
• Clone library analysis identified 36 bacterial genera and 60 species across all samples.
• Principal component analysis revealed a novel classification highlighting the importance of the relative ratios of Lactobacillus iners, Atopobium vaginae, and anaerobes in bacterial vaginosis.

Conclusions:

• Clone library analysis provides significant insights into the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis.
• Combining clone library analysis with conventional methods enhances diagnostic information.
• This approach aids in a more accurate understanding and classification of bacterial vaginosis based on microbial composition.