Research on the relationship between HPV infection and alterations in vaginal microbial ecology

To investigate the changes in vaginal microbiota under different HPV infection statuses and explore the correlation between vaginal microbiota alterations and HPV infection.

151 cervical samples from gynecological outpatients were grouped into HPV-negative (HN, N=51), transient infection (HTI, N=42), and persistent infection (HPI, N=58). Vaginal secretions were collected to assess microecology (pH, vaginal cleanliness, hydrogen peroxide, leukocyte esterase) via genital secretion analyzer. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing analyzed vaginal microbiota characteristics, community state types (CST), richness, diversity, and biomarkers.

16S rRNA sequencing identified 5 CST II, 52 CST III, and 94 mixed CST IV samples, showing diverse microbiota. Compared with HN, HTI and HPI had lower vaginal cleanliness, higher sialidase activity, elevated pH, and fewer Lactobacilli (P<0.05). Lactobacillus iners dominated all groups, while Sneathia amnii was significantly higher in HPI (P<0.05). HPV infection increased vaginal microbiota richness (HPI>HTI/HN, P<0.05), with distinct group compositions (P<0.05). Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size identified Lactobacillus gasseri, Atopobium vaginae, and Lactobacillus jensenii as biomarkers.

This study found significant differences in microbial community characteristics under different HPV infection statuses. The identification of biomarkers in vaginal microbiota under different infection statuses could provide new targets for clinical screening and prevention of cervical cancer.