Bacterial Vaginosis and Chlamydia in Tubal Infertility Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, where the typically dominant Lactobacillus species are significantly reduced, leading to an overgrowth of anaerobic and facultative bacteria.
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was Studied?
This cross-sectional study investigated the association between bacterial vaginosis (BV), past chlamydial infection, and tubal infertility in women undergoing IVF. The researchers analyzed vaginal swabs and serologic data from 286 women undergoing 344 IVF cycles to determine whether these infections impacted pregnancy rates or were linked to specific infertility causes.
Who was Studied?
The study included 286 women undergoing IVF treatment at a tertiary care infertility referral center in Glasgow, Scotland. Participants provided high vaginal and endocervical swab samples before oocyte retrieval, with serologic testing for Chlamydia trachomatis and BV diagnosis based on Gram staining and anaerobic culture.
What were the most Important Findings?
The study found strong, independent associations between tubal infertility and both BV (87.5% of BV-positive women had tubal damage) and past chlamydial infection (91.2% seropositivity in tubal infertility cases). Notably, BV and chlamydial infections were frequently asymptomatic, with no active chlamydial infections detected. Major microbial associations (MMA) included reduced Lactobacillus dominance in BV-positive women, alongside overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. Despite these associations, pregnancy rates after IVF were unaffected by BV or past chlamydial infection, though BV-positive women had numerically lower implantation rates (15.2% vs. 31.0% in chlamydia-seropositive women).
What are the Implications of this Study?
The findings underscore BV as a potential pelvic pathogen contributing to tubal damage, independent of chlamydial infection. While IVF success rates remained comparable across groups, the high prevalence of tubal infertility in BV-positive women suggests that early screening and treatment of asymptomatic BV could prevent long-term reproductive complications. Clinicians should consider BV as a modifiable risk factor in infertility workups, particularly in cases of unexplained tubal pathology.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, where the typically dominant Lactobacillus species are significantly reduced, leading to an overgrowth of anaerobic and facultative bacteria.