Molecular detection of microbial colonization in cervical mucus of women with and without endometriosis
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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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Microbes
Microbes
Microbes, short for microorganisms, are tiny living organisms that are ubiquitous in the environment, including on and inside the human body. They play a crucial role in human health and disease, functioning within complex ecosystems in various parts of the body, such as the skin, mouth, gut, and respiratory tract. The human microbiome, which is […]
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.
Karen Pendergrass
What was studied?
The study investigated the microbiota in the cervical mucus of women with and without endometriosis using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. It aimed to clarify whether cervical mucus in women with endometriosis is contaminated with bacteria, which could potentially transmigrate into the intrauterine cavity, influencing the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The research explored the bacterial population’s diversity, its correlation with the disease, and how these findings align with previous studies on intrauterine microbial colonization and its role in endometriosis through LPS/TLR4 engagement of the innate immune system.
Who was studied?
The study’s participants consisted of 30 women diagnosed with endometriosis (confirmed by laparoscopy and classified according to the revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine scoring system for stages III-IV) and 39 women without the condition (control group), all of reproductive age (20-44 years). The control group included women with fibroids or benign ovarian tumors other than endometriosis. All subjects had a normal-appearing cervix, were negative for vaginal culturing tests, and had not received endocrine therapy or antibiotics for at least six months before sample collection.
What were the most important findings?
The study highlights several findings about the cervical mucus microbiota in women with and without endometriosis. It found a diverse array of microbiota in both groups, with variations not tied to menstrual cycle phases. The endometriosis group exhibited significantly higher alpha diversity, indicating a more diverse bacterial community. Specific bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae, Corynebacterium, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, and Streptococcus were more prevalent in the endometriosis group, with Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus showing significantly higher prevalence.
What are the greatest implications of this study?
The findings suggest that the cervical mucus of women with endometriosis harbors a distinct and more diverse bacterial population than women without the condition. The significant presence of specific bacteria, particularly Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus, in women with endometriosis may play a role in the disease’s pathogenesis through mechanisms involving bacterial contamination, immune system engagement, and inflammatory responses. These insights open new avenues for understanding endometriosis’s pathophysiology, potentially leading to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Further, the study implies a possible link between cervical mucus microbiota and adverse pregnancy outcomes, highlighting the need for additional research to explore the mechanistic connections between microbial colonization and endometriosis and its implications for fertility and pregnancy.