Protective Effect of Lactobacillus crispatus against Vaginal Colonization with Group B Streptococci in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Starc, Maja; Lučovnik, Miha; Vrlič, Petra Eržen; Jeverica, Samo

doi:10.3390/pathogens11090980

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…In this study, we found L. crispatus to be either absent or in very low concentration in women with BV, which is consistent with the known protective role of this species in normal vaginal microbiome (Verstraelen et al, 2009). L. crispatus has also been found to offer vaginal colonization resistance against Group B Streptococci during pregnancy (Starc et al, 2022). Although De Backer et al (2007) found L. crispatus to be present in varying concentrations across all Nugent grades, they used a cohort inclusive of pregnant Belgian women.…”

Section: Real-time Pcr Analysis Based On Gram Stain Categorysupporting

confidence: 83%

Dynamics of the vaginal microbiome during the menstrual cycle of HIV positive and negative women in a sub-urban population of Kenya

Teresa,

Mario,

Paul

et al. 2023

Afr. J. Biotechnol.

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Vaginal microbiome (VM) is dominated by Lactobacillus for maintenance of vaginal health. The objective of this study was to characterize changes in the VM during the menstrual cycle of HIV positive (HIV+) and HIV negative (HIV-) women in a sub-urban population of Kenya. In this longitudinal study of 38 women-20 HIV+,18 HIV-high vaginal swabs were for genomic DNA and Gram stain and quantitative PCR (qPCR). qPCR nested on Gram stain showed high concentration of L. iners in normal VM, increasing during bacterial vaginosis (BV) and high levels of L. jensenii in women with BV while L. crispatus was absent. G. vaginalis increased from normal to BV. A. vaginae was absent in normal but detectable in intermediate gram stain and increased during BV. Gram stain showed BV was absent in HIV-ve women using condoms. Both groups had high concentration L. iners and G. vaginalis, harboured A. vaginae. Frequency and concentration of L. crispatus were less in HIV+ women, L. jensenii undetectable but condom use significantly higher. Menstrual cycle showed high concentration of L. iners and G. vaginalis. L. crispatus increased while A. vaginae decreased. At the initial phase, L. jensenii was low and undetectable thereafter. In this Kenyan population L. iners predominates normal VM, increased during BV. Both groups had high concentration of L. iners and G. vaginalis. Concentration of L. crispatus increased while A. vaginae decreased. Condoms and L. crispatus show protection against BV while L. jensenii does not. Both the presence and quantities of L. crispatus determine healthy VM.

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Section: Real-time Pcr Analysis Based On Gram Stain Categorysupporting

confidence: 83%

Dynamics of the vaginal microbiome during the menstrual cycle of HIV positive and negative women in a sub-urban population of Kenya

Teresa,

Mario,

Paul

et al. 2023

Afr. J. Biotechnol.

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“…Prior studies have demonstrated inconsistent relationships between CV microbiota and GBS colonization in pregnancy. [7][8][9][10][11] One large study of pregnant individuals in Guatemala did not find any significant differences in the CV microbiota when comparing GBS RVþ and GBS RVÀ individuals; however, 16S rRNA sequencing was completed at >35 weeks' gestation, and the prevalence of GBS colonization in this population was less than half of that of our population. 9 Our findings are consistent with two other studies of pregnant individuals, both of which demonstrated an association between lower abundance of Lactobacilli among GBS colonized individuals.…”

Section: Results In the Setting Of What Is Knownmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[3][4][5] While existing data have rigorously characterized the CV microbiota in both pregnant and nonpregnant individuals, 3,[6][7][8][9][10] only a few studies have begun to examine the relationship between the CV microbiota and GBS RV colonization in pregnancy. [7][8][9] A few studies have demonstrated an inverse association between Lactobacillus species and GBS colonization in the third trimester, 9,11 whereas others have not confirmed this. 7,8 Furthermore, recent works have demonstrated that antimicrobial peptide β-defensin-2 is associated with nonoptimal CV microbiota as well as bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections, but the impact of β-defensin-2 on GBS colonization in pregnancy has not yet been examined.…”

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confidence: 99%

Cervicovaginal Microbial–Immune State and Group B Streptococcus Colonization in Pregnancy

McCoy,

Burris,

Gerson

et al. 2023

Am J Perinatol

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Objective Maternal colonization with Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a significant risk factor for serious neonatal morbidity. There are limited data on how the cervicovaginal (CV) microbiota and host immune factor β-defensin-2 might influence GBS colonization in pregnant individuals. This study sought to determine if the CV microbiota is associated with GBS colonization in pregnant individuals, and if β-defensin-2 modifies this relationship. Study Design This was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of pregnant individuals with singleton pregnancies who had CV microbiota specimens analyzed at 16 to 20, 20 to 24, and 24 to 28 weeks' gestation, along with a third trimester GBS rectovaginal (RV) culture (n = 492). Microbiota data were analyzed with 16S rRNA gene sequencing and classified into community state types (CSTs). Log-binomial multivariable regression was used to model associations between CST and GBS RV status and to calculate risk ratios. β-defensin-2, an immune factor known to modulate the relationship between CST and pregnancy outcomes, was examined as an effect modifier. Results Of 492 individuals, 34.3% were GBS RV + . Compared with individuals with CST I at 16 to 20 weeks, individuals with CST IV-A and CST II had a significantly elevated relative risk of subsequent GBS RV+ status. When stratified by high and low β-defensin-2 levels, β-defensin-2 was found to be an effect modifier of the association between CST IV-A and GBS RV+ status. In individuals with low β-defensin-2 levels, CST VI-A was associated with GBS RV+ status, but among individuals with high β-defensin-2 levels, there was no such association (interaction p-value = 0.03). Conclusion Pregnant individuals with CV microbiota characterized by CST IV-A and CST II had significantly elevated risk of GBS RV colonization in the third trimester compared with those with CST I, and β-defensin-2 was an effect modifier of the association between CST IV-A and GBS RV+ status. Future research should investigate if manipulation of the CV microbiota can prevent GBS colonization, thereby reducing intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis and the risks of neonatal GBS infection. Key Points

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Early prediction of preeclampsia using the first trimester vaginal microbiome

Kindschuh,

Austin,

Meydan

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Preeclampsia is a severe obstetrical syndrome which contributes to 10-15% of all maternal deaths. Although the mechanisms underlying systemic damage in preeclampsia--such as impaired placentation, endothelial dysfunction, and immune dysregulation--are well studied, the initial triggers of the condition remain largely unknown. Furthermore, although the pathogenesis of preeclampsia begins early in pregnancy, there are no early diagnostics for this life-threatening syndrome, which is typically diagnosed much later, after systemic damage has already manifested. Here, we performed deep metagenomic sequencing and multiplex immunoassays of vaginal samples collected during the first trimester from 124 pregnant individuals, including 62 who developed preeclampsia with severe features. We identified multiple significant associations between vaginal immune factors, microbes, clinical factors, and the early pathogenesis of preeclampsia. These associations vary with BMI, and stratification revealed strong associations between preeclampsia and Bifidobacterium spp., Prevotella timonensis, and Sneathia vaginalis. Finally, we developed machine learning models that predict the development of preeclampsia using this first trimester data, collected ~5.7 months prior to clinical diagnosis, with an auROC of 0.78. We validated our models using data from an independent cohort (MOMS-PI), achieving an auROC of 0.80. Our findings highlight robust associations among the vaginal microbiome, local host immunity, and early pathogenic processes of preeclampsia, paving the way for early detection, prevention and intervention for this devastating condition.

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Protective Effect of Lactobacillus crispatus against Vaginal Colonization with Group B Streptococci in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Cited by 7 publications

References 38 publications

Dynamics of the vaginal microbiome during the menstrual cycle of HIV positive and negative women in a sub-urban population of Kenya

Dynamics of the vaginal microbiome during the menstrual cycle of HIV positive and negative women in a sub-urban population of Kenya

Cervicovaginal Microbial–Immune State and Group B Streptococcus Colonization in Pregnancy

Early prediction of preeclampsia using the first trimester vaginal microbiome

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