A Decrease in Lactobacilli in the Vaginal Microbiota Is Independently Associated With HPV Persistence in Women With...

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Vaginal dysbiosis, an imbalance in microbial species, can trigger local immune and metabolic changes leading to chronic inflammation.
• The mechanisms behind the clearance or progression of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections remain unclear.
• This study investigates the potential role of vaginal dysbiosis in the persistence of cervical HPV infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the association between the lactobacillus dominancy index and the persistence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) in the cervix.
• To explore the link between vaginal microbiota composition and HPV infection outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 100 women with high-risk HPV infection were followed up.
• Participants were categorized into HPV-positive (persistence) and HPV-negative (clearance) groups.
• Cervicovaginal swabs and blood samples were analyzed for Nugent score, lactobacillus dominance, and white blood cell count.

Main Results:

• HPV persistence was observed in 43% of the patients.
• Univariate analysis indicated that age, menopausal status, and reduced lactobacilli were associated with HPV persistence.
• Logistic regression confirmed that reduced lactobacilli independently predicted HPV persistence (OR: 2.668, p<0.05), irrespective of age and menopause.

Conclusions:

• A decrease in lactobacilli within the cervicovaginal microbiota is significantly associated with the persistence of HPV.
• This association holds true regardless of the patient's age and menopausal status.
• Findings suggest that maintaining a healthy lactobacilli-dominant vaginal microbiome may be crucial for HPV clearance.