THE ROLE OF THE FEMALE VAGINAL MICROBIOME IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STI)

Abstract

There are trillions of bacteria, that usually colonize the human body. 9% of them are localized in the female genital tract. Virtually 90% of this microbiome is epitomized by Lactobacilli. Among lactobacilli, 4 different species: L. Crispatus, L. Gasseri, L. Jensenii and L. Iners dominate the vaginal microbiota of women of childbearing age. Modifications of the healthy vaginal microbiome creates Dysbiosis. Vaginal dysbiosis can lead to the development of infection and/or disease. Refinement of the biomarkers used to measure the vaginal microbiome and a better understanding of vaginal community dynamics may lead to interventions aimed at shifting to, and maintaining, more protective microbial communities. According to the results of recent studies, lactobacilli species potentially inhibit the processes of biofilm formation caused by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. This could be the future when we no longer use antibiotics against bacteria. Multidisciplinary expertise in such fields as bioinformatics, epidemiology, gynecology, immunology, infectious diseases, microbial ecology, and molecular biology is necessary to exploit the data that will be generated on the vaginal microbiome, to identify new clinical interventions, and to assess these interventions rigorously.

Future: Modulation of VMB by alive biotherapeutics or probiotics. Comprehensive study of microbial biofilm activity