Contraception: Influence on Vaginal Microbiota and Identification of Vaginal Lactobacilli Using MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rDNA Sequencing

Abstract

Background:The vaginal microbiome is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including contraceptive methods.Aim:To evaluate the effect of contraceptive methods on vaginal microbiota and to compare MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rDNA sequencing for lactobacilli identification.Patients and Methods:One hundred and one (101) women consulting for birth control were included in a prospective study. Their vaginal content was sampled and analyzed once before they started using the contraceptive method of their choice, and twice after the initiation of contraception, at three months (94/101 women attended) and at six months (89/101 women attended). The relative frequencies of yeasts and trichomonas were analyzed. MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rDNA sequence analysis were applied for the identification of lactobacilli in their vaginal microbiota. The following contraceptive methods were assessed: Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill (COCP), Condom (CON) and The Rhythm Method (RHYT). McNemar’s statistical test was applied.Results:A statistically significant association between COCP and normal microbiota was observed after three months (p< 0.01) and after six months (p< 0.0001), when the vaginal microbiota was modified. At six months, inflammatory reaction was detected in 3/7 women in the CON group, while 6/7 patients using RHYT showed the same state. Yeast colonization increased with the COCP. Identification of lactobacilli by MALDI-TOF MS analysis compared to 16S rDNA sequencing yielded 92.9% concordant results. Lactobacillus gasseri and L. crispatus were the predominant species.Conclusion:The pattern of vaginal states was significantly modified. Hormone administration apparently corrected the alterations and retained a normal vaginal state. MALDI-TOF MS has the potential of being an accurate tool for the identification of vaginal lactobacilli species L. murinus was for the first time isolated from the vagina.

Estrogen induces shift in abundances of specific groups of the coral microbiome

“…In one study, Microbacterium laevaniformans was the most abundant species in hormone-treated samples, whereas Wolbachia pipientis was most abundant in the control 23 . Continuous use of human oral contraceptive pills was found to alter the normal vaginal microbiome and increase yeast colonization 24 . These examples from humans and insects are used as references due to the lack of information regarding the effects of EE2 on the coral-associated microbiome.…”

A Rapidly Fatal Case of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Sepsis Associated with Thyroid Storm in an Immunocompetent Patient

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Effect of phytoderivatives on the growth of homologous beneficial vaginal lactobacilli (BVL) strains and their compatibility for the design of phytobiotics for the vaginal tract health

“…The method applied to identify the BVL selected by their beneficial characteristics by the application of molecular-related techniques is described in previous works [13]. The strains, as identified by this method, are included in Table 1.…”