Association of the Vaginal Microbiota with Human Papillomavirus Infection in a Korean Twin Cohort

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important causative agent of cervical cancers worldwide. However, our understanding of how the vaginal microbiota might be associated with HPV infection is limited. In addition, the influence of human genetic and physiological factors on the vaginal microbiota is unclear. Studies on twins and their families provide the ideal settings to investigate the complicated nature of human microbiota. This study investigated the vaginal microbiota of 68 HPV-infected or uninfected female twins and their families using 454-pyrosequencing analysis targeting the variable region (V2–V3) of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Analysis of the vaginal microbiota from both premenopausal women and HPV-discordant twins indicated that HPV-positive women had significantly higher microbial diversity with a lower proportion of Lactobacillus spp. than HPV-negative women. Fusobacteria, including Sneathia spp., were identified as a possible microbiological marker associated with HPV infection. The vaginal microbiotas of twin pairs were significantly more similar to each other than to those from unrelated individuals. In addition, there were marked significant differences from those of their mother, possibly due to differences in menopausal status. Postmenopausal women had a lower proportion of Lactobacillus spp. and a significantly higher microbiota diversity. This study indicated that HPV infection was associated with the composition of the vaginal microbiota, which is influenced by multiple host factors such as genetics and menopause. The potential biological markers identified in this study could provide insight into HPV pathogenesis and may represent biological targets for diagnostics.

Association between Obesity and Cervical Microflora Dominated by Lactobacillus iners in Korean Women

“…In a Korean twin cohort study, postmenopausal women had smaller proportions of Lactobacillus spp., with greater diversity (21). Obesity was associated with the group with high values for the L. iners/L.…”

Lactobacillus-dominated cervicovaginal microbiota associated with reduced HIV/STI prevalence and genital HIV viral load in African women

“…To date, 10 studies have described clusters on the basis of next generation sequencing data (Forney et al, 2010;Hummelen et al, 2010;Ravel et al, 2011;Schellenberg et al, 2011;Frank et al, 2012;Martin et al, 2012;Smith et al, 2012;Srinivasan et al, 2012;Drell et al, 2013;Lee et al, 2013). Even though these studies included different study populations and employed a variety of molecular and clustering procedures, consistent clustering patterns can be discerned.…”

Self-Sampling for HPV Testing: Increased Cervical Cancer Screening Participation and Incorporation in International Screening Programs

“…levels, and 463 increased presence of specific microbes such as Sneathia spp. or Gardnerella vaginalis 464 (Gao et al 2013;Lee et al 2013;Brotman et al 2014;Reimers et al 2016;Shannon et 465 al. 2017).…”

“…In a Korean twin cohort with 68 female 474 twins, HPV-positivity was associated with a lower proportion of Lactobacillus spp., a 475 higher microbial diversity, and higher counts of Sneathia spp. (Lee et al 2013). In a 476 study on 60 women from Chicago, certain Lactobacillus spp.…”