Cervicovaginal Microbiota and Reproductive Health: The Virtue of Simplicity.

Melis N Anahtar, David B Gootenberg, Caroline M Mitchell, Douglas S Kwon

Journal: Cell host & microbe 2018;23(2):159-168

PMID: 29447695

Free Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Cervicovaginal microbiota play a critical role in women's health and reproductive outcomes. Despite being one of the simplest commensal bacterial communities in the human body, we are only beginning to appreciate its complex dynamic nature and important role in host immune modulation. In this review, we discuss the "optimal" cervicovaginal bacterial community composition, the impact of microbiota on gynecologic and obstetric outcomes, and the hurdles to developing a deeper mechanistic understanding of the function of the cervicovaginal microbiome. We then describe efforts to durably alter microbial composition in this compartment by promotion of Lactobacillus colonization with probiotics, modulation of vaginal pH, hormonal administration, and the eradication of pathogenic bacteria with antibiotics. Finally, we draw on lessons learned from the deeply investigated gut microbiome to suggest future avenues of research into host-pathogen interactions in the female genital tract.

Address: Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2018.01.013

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https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1931...

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https://medlineplus.gov/childbirthproblems.html

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https://scite.ai/reports/29447695

MeSH Terms: Black People, Female, Humans, Lactobacillus, Microbiota, Obstetric Labor Complications, Pregnancy, Probiotics, Reproductive Health, Vagina, Vaginosis, Bacterial, White People