Early Sexual Experiences and Risk Factors for Bacterial Vaginosis

Fethers, Katherine; Fairley, Christopher K.; Morton, Anna; Hocking, Jane S; Hopkins, C. A.; Kennedy, Lisa; Fehler, Glenda; Bradshaw, Catriona

doi:10.1086/648092

Cited by 110 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…For example, microbial communities and strains are shared between mating partners (Jaspers and Overmann, 2004;Marrazzo et al, 2009;Danielsson et al, 2011;Eren et al, 2011) and sexual activity is a strong risk factor for dysbiosis (Fethers et al, 2008). In humans, microbial ecologies vary considerably between women depending on their mating group size, and BV is most common in women who have new or multiple sexual partners (Fethers et al, 2008(Fethers et al, , 2009Eren et al, 2011). Extrapolating to mating systems, in polygynous groups, where males mate with multiple females, females may be exposed to vaginal microbes from other females.…”

Section: Sample Collection and Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Primate vaginal microbiomes exhibit species specificity without universal Lactobacillus dominance

et al. 2014

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Bacterial communities colonizing the reproductive tracts of primates (including humans) impact the health, survival and fitness of the host, and thereby the evolution of the host species. Despite their importance, we currently have a poor understanding of primate microbiomes. The composition and structure of microbial communities vary considerably depending on the host and environmental factors. We conducted comparative analyses of the primate vaginal microbiome using pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA genes of a phylogenetically broad range of primates to test for factors affecting the diversity of primate vaginal ecosystems. The nine primate species included: humans (Homo sapiens), yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus), olive baboons (Papio anubis), lemurs (Propithecus diadema), howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra), red colobus (Piliocolobus rufomitratus), vervets (Chlorocebus aethiops), mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Our results indicated that all primates exhibited host-specific vaginal microbiota and that humans were distinct from other primates in both microbiome composition and diversity. In contrast to the gut microbiome, the vaginal microbiome showed limited congruence with host phylogeny, and neither captivity nor diet elicited substantial effects on the vaginal microbiomes of primates. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance and Wilcoxon tests revealed correlations among vaginal microbiota and host species-specific socioecological factors, particularly related to sexuality, including: female promiscuity, baculum length, gestation time, mating group size and neonatal birth weight. The proportion of unclassified taxa observed in nonhuman primate samples increased with phylogenetic distance from humans, indicative of the existence of previously unrecognized microbial taxa. These findings contribute to our understanding of host-microbe variation and coevolution, microbial biogeography, and disease risk, and have important implications for the use of animal models in studies of human sexual and reproductive diseases.

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Section: Sample Collection and Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Primate vaginal microbiomes exhibit species specificity without universal Lactobacillus dominance

et al. 2014

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“…Sexual activity is a strong risk factor for BV (Fethers et al, 2008). BV is rare in women who have never had vaginal intercourse (Fethers et al, 2009) and is most common in women who have new or multiple sexual partners (Eren et al, 2011;Yeoman et al, 2013). The ways in which primates have evolved (and coevolved) strategies to defend against pathogenic invasion and infection, to contend with exposure from conspecifics (e.g., through intercourse), and to respond to the dynamics of vaginal bacterial communities throughout life and during the menstrual cycle offer much fodder for future study.…”

Section: Summary Implications and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The primate vaginal microbiome: Comparative context and implications for human health and disease

Stumpf

Wilson

Rivera

et al. 2013

American J Phys Anthropol

119

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The primate body hosts trillions of microbes. Interactions between primate hosts and these microbes profoundly affect primate physiology, reproduction, health, survival, and ultimately, evolution. It is increasingly clear that primate health cannot be understood fully without knowledge of host-microbial interactions. Our goals here are to review what is known about microbiomes of the female reproductive tract and to explore several factors that influence variation within individuals, as well as within and between primate species. Much of our knowledge of microbial variation derives from studies of humans, and from microbes located in nonreproductive regions (e.g., the gut). We review work suggesting that the vaginal microbiota affects female health, fecundity, and pregnancy outcomes, demonstrating the selective potential for these agents. We explore the factors that correlate with microbial variation within species. Initial colonization by microbes depends on the manner of birth; most microbial variation is structured by estrogen levels that change with age (i.e., at puberty and menopause) and through the menstrual cycle. Microbial communities vary by location within the vagina and can depend on the sampling methods used (e.g., swab, lavage, or pap smear). Interindividual differences also exist, and while this variation is not completely understood, evidence points more to differences in estrogen levels, rather than differences in external physical environment. When comparing across species, reproductive-age humans show distinct microbial communities, generally dominated by Lactobacillus, unlike other primates. We develop evolutionary hypotheses to explain the marked differences in microbial communities. While much remains to be done to test these hypotheses, we argue that the ample variation in primate mating and reproductive behavior offers excellent opportunities to evaluate host-microbe coevolution and adaptation. Am J Phys Anthropol 57:119-134,

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“…Epidemiologic studies are strongly supportive of sexual transmission of BV pathogens and most experts believe that BV does not occur in women who have never had vaginal intercourse (Yen et al, 2003). However, BV can develop in women who have never had sexual intercourse, probably because of other factors that may destabilize the normal vaginal flora such as douching and wearing of tight fitting underwear (Papanikolaou et al, 2002;Fethers et al, 2009). Distortion of the vaginal flora may also result from sexual activity alone without necessary transmission of the BV pathogens to susceptible sexual partners (Holzman et al, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis Among Sexually Active Women Attending the CDC Central Clinic Tiko, South West Region, Cameroon

Akomoneh¹,

Fumoloh²,

Aseneck³

et al. 2016

AJID

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Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial, superficial vaginal infection involving a reduction in the amount of hydrogen peroxide-producing Lactobacillus and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. Common symptoms include increased fishy smelling vaginal discharge which is usually white or gray in color. Burning with urination may occur and itching is uncommon. Risk factors include douching, new or multiple sex partners, antibiotics, and use of intrauterine device among others. Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among sexually active women aged 15-45 years. Vaginal swabs were obtained with the use of sterile swab sticks which were later smeared on clean glass slides and then Gram stained. The stained smears were observed for bacterial morphotypes with the X100 oil immersion objective and the Nugent scoring system was used to determine BV. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 17.0 and were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 100 women participated in the study with the overall prevalence of BV rated 38%. The prevalence of BV with respect to associated factors was also investigated and it was observed that BV was more prevalent in the age groups 20-25 (48.1%) and 25-29 (44.4%), those who had attained only primary education (60.5%), married women, (68.4%), pregnant women (71.0%), and women who practiced vaginal douching, (97.4%). However, no statistical significant difference was observed in the prevalence between these parameters (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Conclusively, the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in our study population is 38% and highest among women aged between 25 and 34 years, pregnant women, married women, less educated women and women who practiced poor vaginal hygiene.

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Early Sexual Experiences and Risk Factors for Bacterial Vaginosis

Abstract: This study shows a strong association between BV and penile-vaginal sex with multiple partners but found no BV in sexually inexperienced women, once a history of noncoital sexual practices was elicited. Our findings indicate that BV is not present in truly sexually inexperienced women.

Cited by 110 publications

References 37 publications

Primate vaginal microbiomes exhibit species specificity without universal Lactobacillus dominance

Primate vaginal microbiomes exhibit species specificity without universal Lactobacillus dominance

The primate vaginal microbiome: Comparative context and implications for human health and disease

Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis Among Sexually Active Women Attending the CDC Central Clinic Tiko, South West Region, Cameroon

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