Cervicovaginal microbiome in twin vs singleton gestations

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Microbiome research
• Maternal-fetal medicine

Background:

• Vaginal microbiome diversity varies by race, ethnicity, and pregnancy status.
• Lactobacillus predominance is common in singleton gestations.
• Limited data exists on the cervicovaginal microbiome in twin gestations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize cervicovaginal microbiome diversity in twin gestations during the second trimester.
• To compare microbiome profiles between twin and singleton gestations.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cross-sectional cohort study comparing 19 twin gestations with 19 singleton gestations.
• Cervicovaginal lavage samples collected between 14-24 weeks of gestation.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing used for microbiota analysis and community state type classification.

Main Results:

• Twin gestations exhibited decreased alpha and beta diversity compared to singleton gestations.
• Lower taxon abundance and reduced variability were observed in twin gestations.
• Community state types I and III were more prevalent in twin gestations; type IV predominated in both groups.

Conclusions:

• The second-trimester vaginal microbiome in twin gestations shows reduced diversity compared to singleton gestations in a predominantly Black population.
• Findings enhance understanding of microbial communities in twin pregnancies.
• Reduced diversity may suggest a potential mechanism contributing to preterm birth in twin gestations.