A cross-sectional pilot study of birth mode and vaginal microbiota in reproductive-age women Original paper Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
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Divine Aleru
Read MoreI 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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Divine Aleru
Read More
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Read More
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 study explored the relationship between birth mode (C-section or vaginal delivery) and the vaginal microbiota in adult women. It aimed to understand whether the microbiota’s composition in reproductive-age women was influenced by their birth mode. Vaginal microbiota was assessed using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, which was then categorized into distinct community state types (CSTs).
Who was studied?
The study included 144 adult women, previously part of two different U.S. cohort studies. These women were contacted again to participate in the current research, and a brief survey was administered. The participants were asked about their birth mode and other relevant personal health factors. Vaginal microbiota from a single sample per participant was analyzed, focusing on the relative abundance of Lactobacillus species and the presence of molecular bacterial vaginosis (Molecular-BV).
Most important findings
The study found a non-significant trend suggesting that women born by C-section may have an increased likelihood of having a vaginal microbiota composition indicative of Molecular-BV, characterized by a low abundance of Lactobacillus spp. The presence of the bacterium Prevotella bivia was notably associated with C-section birth. In the study with the larger sample size (88 women), C-section delivery appeared to triple the odds of Molecular-BV compared to vaginal delivery, while the smaller study showed no such association. These findings suggest a possible long-lasting effect of birth mode on vaginal microbiota, but the study’s limitations, such as small sample size and varying participant characteristics, warrant caution.
Key implications
The findings underscore the potential long-term impact of birth mode on vaginal microbiota and highlight a connection between C-section delivery and the reduced presence of Lactobacillus, a protective bacterium in the vagina. This could have implications for women’s reproductive health, including the risk of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and its associated complications, such as STIs and adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, given the study’s limitations, further longitudinal research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the biological mechanisms behind them.
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.