title: Gynecologic health and disease in relation to the microbiome of the female reproductive tract.
abstract: It is well established that the vagina is colonized by bacteria that serve important roles in homeostasis. Imbalances in the proportion of bacteria may lead to a predisposition to infection or reproductive complications. Molecular-based approaches demonstrated a greater degree of microbial diversity both within and between women than previously recognized. The vaginal microbiome may fluctuate during various states of health, such as during the menstrual cycle or after menopause, and there may be differences in the vaginal microbiome between women of different ethnicities. Furthermore, the specific composition of the vaginal microbiome may influence the predisposition to dysbiosis and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. An understanding of the diversity of the vaginal microbial environment during states of health is essential for the identification of risk factors for disease and the development of appropriate treatment.
authors.affiliation: Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Green
authors.affiliation: Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors.forename: Shvetha M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Zarek
authors.affiliation: Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. Electronic address: william.catherino@usuhs.edu.
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Catherino
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D064806:Dysbiosis; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D064307:Microbiota; D012098:Reproduction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission
keywords: Microbiome; bacterial vaginosis; lactobacilli; sexually transmitted infection