title: The changing landscape of the vaginal microbiome.
abstract: Deep sequence analysis of the vaginal microbiome is revealing an unexpected complexity that was not anticipated as recently as several years ago. The lack of clarity in the definition of a healthy vaginal microbiome, much less an unhealthy vaginal microbiome, underscores the need for more investigation of these phenomena. Some clarity may be gained by the careful analysis of the genomes of the specific bacteria in these women. Ongoing studies will clarify this process and offer relief for women with recurring vaginal maladies and hope for pregnant women to avoid the experience of preterm birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, 1101 East Marshall Street, PO Box 980678, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
authors.forename: Bernice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, 1101 East Marshall Street, PO Box 980678, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fettweis
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research, Virginia Commonwealth University, PO Box 843083, Richmond, VA 23284, USA.
authors.forename: J Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, 1101 East Marshall Street, PO Box 980678, Richmond, VA 23298, USA.
authors.forename: Kimberly K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Jefferson
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, 1101 East Marshall Street, PO Box 980678, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. Electronic address: gabuck@vcu.edu.
authors.forename: Gregory A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Buck
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000502:physiology; D064307:Microbiota; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000382:microbiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Bacterial vaginosis; Metagenomics; Microbiota; Pregnancy; Preterm birth; Vaginal microbiome