Vaginal Dysbiosis from an Evolutionary Perspective

Area of Science:

• Comparative genomics and microbiology
• Primate reproductive health
• Evolutionary medicine

Background:

• The vaginal microbiome is crucial for reproductive success and human health.
• Characterizing the vaginal microbiome in non-human primates (NHPs) is essential for understanding evolutionary aspects of reproductive health.
• Previous studies have not fully explored the vaginal microbiome in NHPs concerning social structure and pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate vaginal size, vulvovaginal pathology, and the presence of key human vaginal microbial species in baboons (Papio spp.).
• To compare the vaginal microflora of baboons with that of humans, considering potential implications for NHP models.

Main Methods:

• Morphometric measurements of external and internal genitalia in 47 baboons.
• Analysis of pathology records for 64 baboons from 1999-2015.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of vaginal swabs from 14 baboons to detect specific bacterial species.

Main Results:

• Sixty-eight lesions were identified in 64 baboons, indicating significant vulvovaginal pathology.
• Common human vaginal bacteria like Lactobacillus iners, Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, and Megasphaera species were not detected.
• Lactobacillus jensenii, Lactobacillus crispatus, and Lactobacillus gasseri were detected at low frequencies (14.2%, 7.1%, 7.1%). BVAB2 was detected in 35.7% of samples.

Conclusions:

• The vaginal microbiome composition in baboons differs significantly from the typical human vaginal milieu.
• These microbial differences may influence the distinct patterns of placental development observed in humans.
• Findings underscore the importance of considering NHP-specific vaginal microflora in the development of NHP models for human pharmacology and microbiology.