Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Exp Ther Med 2019 May 4;17(5):3307-3316. Epub 2019 Mar 4.

Department of Gynecology, Shaoxing Women and Children's Hospital, Shaoxing, Zhejiang 312000, P.R. China.

The way in which a balanced vaginal microbiome helps prevent gynecological diseases in women and maintain health remains to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the potential effect of aberrations in the vaginal flora on unexplained recurrent miscarriage (RM) was investigated. The vaginal bacterial communities of 10 patients with unexplained RM and 10 healthy volunteers were sampled and subjected to sequencing analysis of the V3-V4 regions of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Read More

Sex Transm Dis 2019 May;46(5):335-341

Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

Background: Few studies have evaluated the acceptability of self-collected vaginal swabs among young women in sub-Saharan Africa, including in school settings. We evaluated the acceptability of 2 conditions for the self-collection of swabs in secondary schools in Entebbe, Uganda.

Methods: Assenting girls with parental consent from 3 secondary schools were provided instructions for sampling, and randomly allocated to self-collection of vaginal swabs with or without nurse assistance to help with correct placement of the swab. Read More

Papillomavirus Res 2019 Apr 13;7:154-163. Epub 2019 Apr 13.

Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Electronic address:

In this study we examined potential associations of HPV infection with the cervical microbiota. Cervical samples were collected from 87 HIV-seronegative reproductive-age Black South African women. Microbiota were characterized by Illumina sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. Read More

Biomed Rep 2019 Apr 15;10(4):231-237. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Microbiology, 'Aretaieion' General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 11528, Greece.

Assisted reproductive techniques including fertilization (IVF) are being used increasingly worldwide and screening for genital tract infections (GTIs) is recommended prior to treatment as their presence may affect the success rate of IVF. The current study aimed to assess the possible associations between GTI-associated factors and reproductive outcome in a group of reproductive age fertile females and infertile females receiving IVF. A total of 111 infertile women enrolled in an IVF programme (Group A) and 104 fertile women (mothers of at least one child; Group B) underwent microbiological screening of vaginal and cervical samples. Read More

BJOG 2019 Apr 6. Epub 2019 Apr 6.

University of Washington, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 4245 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA.

I commend the effort required to undertake a modestly large trial to alter the vaginal microbiome (1). Its aim was to reduce preterm birth, the single most important and unsolved issue in obstetrics. Very early preterm birth before 34 weeks gestation is strongly linked to an ascending chorioamnionitis infection with resulting inflammation from vaginal bacteria, particularly with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Read More

Int Urol Nephrol 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Department of Urology, Medical Park Hospital, Muratpaşa, Antalya, Turkey.

Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) is the most common disease of the genital tract in men. Recent studies have recommended avoiding the empiric antibiotic administrations that constitute the classical treatment approach in NGU and to aim toward treatment of causative pathogens. However, the classification of NGU agents remains controversial. Read More

Arch Gynecol Obstet 2019 Apr 5. Epub 2019 Apr 5.

Scientific and Medical Department, Medinova AG, Zurich, Switzerland.

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal disorder in reproductive-age women. The condition is characterised by the replacement of a healthy, lactobacilli-dominated vaginal microbiota by anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria. BV increases the risk of acquisition of STIs and is associated with pregnancy complications. Read More

PLoS One 2019 4;14(4):e0214425. Epub 2019 Apr 4.

Research Unit for Reproductive Microbiology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen S, Denmark.

No aetiology is found in up to 40% of men with symptomatic urethritis. Male partners of women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) may be at higher risk of non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). The aim of this study was to examine the role of BV associated bacteria in first-void urine (FVU) in 97 asymptomatic men without urethritis (controls) and 44 men (cases) with NGU including 20 men with idiopathic urethritis (IU) attending a Swedish STD-clinic between January and October 2010. Read More

Lasers Med Sci 2019 Apr 3. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Av. Dom Joao VI, 275, Brotas, Salvador, Bahia, 40290-000, Brazil.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a frequent infection of the female genitourinary tract. It is considered the second most common genital infection in women, after bacterial vaginosis. VVC is treated with oral or topical azole derivatives. Read More

Mol Med Rep 2019 May 27;19(5):4167-4174. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China.

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is one of the most common diseases of the reproductive system. Due to the high postoperative recurrence rate of IUA, it is crucial to identify the possible causes of pathogenesis and recurrence of this disease. In the present study, a high‑throughput sequencing approach was applied to compare the vaginal microbiota between healthy women [healthy vaginal secretion (HVS) group] and patients with IUA [intrauterine adhesion patients' vaginal secretion (IAVS) group]. Read More

Emerg Med Clin North Am 2019 May;37(2):165-192

Prisma Health, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC 29605, USA. Electronic address:

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to be underrecognized leading to devastating health and economic consequences. Emergency clinicians play an important role in diagnosing and managing STDs and in improving health care outcomes for both the patient and their partners. In addition, antibiotic resistance and emerging infections continue to challenge providers in clinical practice. Read More

Sex Health 2019 Apr 3. Epub 2019 Apr 3.

A 2006 Australian sexual health clinic audit of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) diagnosis rates found variability between doctors. Doctors were given audit feedback towards increasing diagnosis and reducing variability. The clinic implemented other improvements to increase capacity. Read More

BJOG 2019 Apr 1. Epub 2019 Apr 1.

Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.

Objective: To determine the effects on the vaginal microbiota of an oral probiotic preparation administered from early pregnancy.

Design: Randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Four maternity units in the UK. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2019 Mar 8;30(4):411-414. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Department of Sexual Health, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Wycombe General Hospital, Wycombe, UK.

The aim of this study is to compare the performance of the BD MAX™ Vaginal Panel (Becton, Dickinson and company, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV), candidiasis and trichomoniasis with current standard tests in a UK specialist sexual health service. Women with abnormal vaginal discharge attending the service who had not used douches or vaginal treatment in the preceding 48 hours had two vulvovaginal swabs taken: one for Chlamydia and gonorrhoea nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) and one for testing on the BD MAX™ Vaginal Panel on the BD MAX System. Speculum examination was then performed and vaginal swabs taken for vaginal pH, and microscopy of vaginal secretions: Gram stain for Candida and BV using the Hay-Ison score and wet-mount for clue cells and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). Read More

PLoS Pathog 2019 03 28;15(3):e1007586. Epub 2019 Mar 28.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Center for Women's Infectious Disease Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America.

J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2019 Mar 27. Epub 2019 Mar 27.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate if thong use is associated with a higher report of urogenital infections, including urinary tract infections, yeast vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey regarding underwear preferences and infectious history was designed and distributed to women via a crowdsourcing service. All survey questions related to the last 12 months. Read More

Cad Saude Publica 2019 Mar 25;35(3):e00118118. Epub 2019 Mar 25.

Departamento de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.

Our aim was to systematically review data about the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and bacterial vaginosis among lesbian women and to suggest strategies to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. A search strategy for lesbian, STI and bacterial vaginosis was applied to PubMed, LILACS and BDENF databases. Of 387 unique references retrieved, 22 fulfilled the inclusion criteria (cross-sectional studies reporting prevalence for 8 STIs/bacterial vaginosis and history of a STI). Read More

Sex Transm Dis 2019 Feb 27. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Rio de Janeiro State University, Adjunct professor, Gynecology department.

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the available literature to explore evidence indicating an association between cervical ectopy and sexually transmitted diseases, which could help in the decision to treat or not to treat this condition.

Methods: A review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed, EMBASE and clinicaltrials.gov databases on ectopy of the cervix using the terms 'ectopy OR ectropium AND cervix' filtered only by language, without limit of date. Read More

Eurasian J Med 2019 Feb 30;51(1):5-7. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Clinical Microbiology and Virology, Polyclinic Tor Vergata Foundation, Rome, Italy.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of the culture colorimetric detection assay MYCO WELL D-ONE (MWD-ONE), designed to detect sexually transmitted infections using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as a reference method.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and ten urogenital samples were screened for (GV), (TV), (MH), , and (UU)/ (UP) using the MWD-ONE and real-time PCR assays species Real-TM Quant and Anyplex II STI-7 Detection, respectively.

Results: GV was detected in 33 samples by both the MWD-ONE and real-time PCR, while 6 samples gave discordant results. Read More

J Low Genit Tract Dis 2019 Apr;23(2):176-181

Unidade de Tracto Genital Inferior, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal.

Objectives: Wet mount microscopy (WMM) is an ancillary test in the diagnosis of vulvovaginitis. However, there are little data about the impact of the sampling site. Our main objective was to determine the agreement between samples collected from different vaginal sites. Read More

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2019 May 22;38(5):959-966. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

NMDL-LCPL, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common gynaecological condition. Diagnosis of BV is typically based on Amsel criteria, Nugent score and/or bacterial culture. In this study, these conventional methods and two CE-IVD marked quantitative real-time (q)PCR assays were compared with microbiota analysis for the diagnosis of BV. Read More

Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2019 Mar 21. Epub 2019 Mar 21.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Objective: To compare combined vaginal administration of nystatin, diiodohydroxyquin, and benzalkonium chloride versus oral metronidazole for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among women diagnosed with BV using the Amsel criteria (n=90) at a university hospital in Khon Kaen, Thailand, between June 27, 2017, and April 30, 2018. The oral metronidazole group (n=44) received 400 mg of metronidazole, administered three times per day. Read More

Front Microbiol 2019 6;10:433. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

AtoGen Co., Ltd., Daejeon, South Korea.

Three strains ATG-K2, ATG-K6, and ATG-K8 were isolated from Kimchi, a Korean traditional fermented food, and their probiotic potentials were examined. All three strains were free of antibiotic resistance, hemolysis, and biogenic amine production and therefore assumed to be safe, as supported by whole genome analyses. These strains demonstrated several basic probiotic functions including a wide range of antibacterial activity, bile salt hydrolase activity, hydrogen peroxide production, and heat resistance at 70°C for 60 s. Read More

Benef Microbes 2019 Mar 18:1-10. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

1 Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61B, Tartu 50410, Estonia.

Vaginal discharge is one of the common reasons for gynaecologist consultation, as bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis are the main causes of discharge. These patients frequently experience numerous problems due to recurrent infections, side effects and drug resistance therefore alternative drugs are needed. Our primary aim was to evaluate safety and tolerability of the potentially probiotic Lactobacillus crispatus strains in volunteer women considering themselves healthy. Read More

Reprod Biomed Online 2018 Dec 22. Epub 2018 Dec 22.

Clínica EUGIN, Barcelona 08029, Spain. Electronic address:

Research Question: What is the relationship between the vaginal microbiota profile at the time of embryo transfer and live birth rates in women undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with donated oocytes?

Design: One hundred and fifty Caucasian women receiving donated oocytes were prospectively included in the study from March 2017 to January 2018. Samples of vaginal fluid were taken immediately before transfer of a fresh single blastocyst and genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted. Bacterial load as well as the presence of four lactobacilli (L. Read More

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019 Mar 18:1-8. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

a Faculty of Human Medicine , Zagazig University , Zagazig , Egypt.

Purpose: To compare between continuous and interrupted use of vaginal probiotic after vaginal clindamycin cream for treatment and prevention of recurrence of bacterial vaginosis.

Methods: A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial, 273 women were randomly allocated to use clindamycin 2% vaginal cream 5 g at bedtime for 7 days followed after 1 week by continuous probiotics vaginal capsule once daily for 6 weeks (n = 129) or clindamycin 2% vaginal cream 5 g at bedtime for 7 days followed by one probiotic vaginal capsule twice a week for 6 weeks (n = 144). The initial evaluation was at 1 week after cessation of probiotics treatment to estimate the cure rates, the follow-up visits were at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months from the initial visit. Read More

Gynecol Obstet Fertil Senol 2019 Mar 13. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Infections humaines à mycoplasmes et chlamydiae, USC EA 3671, Institut national de la recherche agronomique, université Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France; Centre national de référence des infections sexuellement transmissibles bactériennes, CHU de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France; Laboratoire de bactériologie, groupe hospitalier Pellegrin, CHU de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France.

Objectives: To determine the microorganisms potentially involved in pelvic inflammatory diseases (PIDs) and the different diagnostic methods of PID.

Methods: PubMed and International Guidelines search.

Results: PIDs have various microbial causes. Read More

Sex Transm Infect 2019 Mar 14. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.

Objective: The epidemiology of bacterial vaginosis (BV) favours sexual transmission of BV-associated bacteria. We examined incubation period and risk factors for incident BV (iBV) in a prospective study of women who have sex with women (WSW).

Methods: Using daily self-collected vaginal swabs, WSW with normal vaginal microbiota (no Amsel criteria and a Nugent score of 0-3) were followed for 90 days or until iBV (Nugent score 7-10 on at least 2-3 consecutive days). Read More

Emerg Microbes Infect 2019 ;8(1):197-210

b Department of Medicine , New York University School of Medicine , New York , NY , USA.

The use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), a 3-monthly injectable hormonal contraceptive, is associated with an increased risk of HIV acquisition possibly through alteration of the vaginal microbiome. In this longitudinal interventional study, we investigated the impact of DMPA administration on the vaginal microbiome in Hispanic White and Black women at the baseline (visit 1), 1 month (visit 2), and 3 months (visit 3) following DMPA treatment by using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. No significant changes in the vaginal microbiome were observed after DMPA treatment when Hispanic White and Black women were analysed as a combined group. Read More

N Engl J Med 2019 03;380(11):1089

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

N Engl J Med 2019 03;380(11):1088-1089

Positivo University, Curitiba, Brazil

J Perinatol 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Division of Neonatology, Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital, Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital, Charleston, SC, USA.

Objective: Evidence supports an inverse association between vitamin D and bacterial vaginosis (BV) during pregnancy. Furthermore, both the vaginal microbiome and vitamin D status correlate with pregnancy outcome. Women of African ancestry are more likely to experience BV, to be vitamin D deficient, and to have certain pregnancy complications. Read More

Infect Immun 2019 Mar 11. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

School of Biological Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

The human protozoan is the causative agent of trichomoniasis, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, which is accompanied by a species-diversified vaginal microbiota named community state type IV (CST-IV). Coincidently, CST-IV includes species associated with bacterial vaginosis (e.g. Read More

Future Microbiol 2019 Mar 11;14:365-368. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.

BJOG 2019 Mar 10. Epub 2019 Mar 10.

Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service Trust, London, UK.

Objective: To investigate the relation between vaginal microbiota composition and outcome of rescue cervical cerclage.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital, London. Read More

J Clin Microbiol 2019 Mar 6. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Biochemistry, and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.

: Following all forms of therapy for bacterial vaginosis (BV), recurrence rates are extremely high. Many diagnostic tests are available that differentiate bacterial vaginosis from other types of vaginal disorders, but none predict recurrence after treatment, nor are any vetted for monitoring ongoing responses to treatment. Our goal is to determine which tests, and at what optimal times, have prognostic value in predicting recurrence. Read More

Front Microbiol 2019 14;10:193. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, United States.

For decades hormone therapy (HT) has been prescribed to treat the symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal dryness, itching and burning. Here we sought to compare the vaginal microbiomes of postmenopausal women who received low dose estrogen therapy to those of premenopausal and postmenopausal women, and to do so in conjunction with assessing the alleviation of symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy. In this study vaginal swab samples were obtained from 45 women who were classified as either premenopausal, postmenopausal, or postmenopausal and undergoing HT. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Mar 5;9(1):3555. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Australia.

We conducted a pilot open-label randomised controlled trial of combined (oestrogen-progesterone) oral contraceptive pill (COCP)-exposure aimed to examine its effect on BV-recurrence following first-line antibiotics compared to antibiotics alone. Ninety-five women with symptomatic BV were prescribed antibiotic therapy, randomised to COCP-exposure (intervention) or current non-hormonal contraceptive practices (control) and followed monthly for six-months or until BV-recurrence. Modified intention-to-treat methods requiring either ≥1 clinical (primary/Amsel-outcome) or ≥1 microbiological (secondary/Nugent-outcome) BV-recurrence assessment were applied to determine cumulative recurrence rates. Read More

F1000Res 2018 2;7:1880. Epub 2018 Dec 2.

Department of Global Health, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

There is little consensus as to why sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are more prevalent in some populations than others. Using a broad definition of sexual network connectivity that includes both and factors, we argue that the available evidence suggests that high prevalence of traditional STIs, HIV and BV can be parsimoniously explained by these populations having more connected sexual networks. Positive feedback, whereby BV and various STIs enhance the spread of other STIs, then further accentuates the spread of BV, HIV and other STIs. Read More

Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg 2019 Mar/Apr;25(2):172-177

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University/MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the association between patient ethnicity/race and desire to continue using a pessary for the treatment of pelvic floor disorders.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a randomized trial among women presenting for pessary fitting. The primary outcome was the desire to continue using a pessary at 3 months. Read More

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2019 Apr 26;69(4):949-956. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

1​UMR VITROME, Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, Service de Santé des Armées, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Institut hospitalo-universitaire Méditerranée infection, Marseille, France.

A strictly anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive, non motile and non-spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium, strain Marseille-P2666, was isolated using the culturomics approach from a vaginal sample of a French patient suffering from bacterial vaginosis. Cells were saccharolytic and were negative for catalase, oxidase, urease, nitrate reduction, indole production, hydrolysis of aesculin and gelatin. Strain Marseille-P2666 exhibited 97. Read More

Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 2019 22;2019:1672109. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, 'Sapienza' University, Rome 00185, Italy.

In healthy women, the cervicovaginal microbiota is mostly populated by spp., the main host defense factor of the female genital tract. In addition to Lactobacilli, other microorganisms populate the cervicovaginal microbiota, like spp. Read More

Ann Epidemiol 2019 Apr 26;32:20-27. Epub 2019 Jan 26.

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD.

Purpose: Psychosocial stress has been associated with susceptibility to many infectious pathogens. We evaluated the association between perceived stress and incident sexually transmitted infections (STIs; Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis genital infections) in a prospective study of women. Stress may increase vulnerability to STIs by suppressing immune function and altering the protective vaginal microbiota. Read More

Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 2019 Feb 23. Epub 2019 Feb 23.

Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France.

Strain Marseille-P4121 was isolated from a vaginal sample of a 45-year-old French woman with bacterial vaginosis. It is a Gram-positive, asporogenous, non-motile and aerobic bacterium. Strain Marseille-P4121 exhibits 98. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 18;9(1):2204. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Koc University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.

Dysbiosis in the genital tract or gut microbiome can be associated with endometriosis. We sampled vaginal, cervical and gut microbiota from 14 women with histology proven stage 3/4 endometriosis and 14 healthy controls. The V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were amplified following the 16S Metagenomic Sequencing Library Preparation. Read More

Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dalhousie University, Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada.

Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Interventions aimed at preventing PTB can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention.

Objective: To conduct a review of systematic reviews on the effectiveness and safety of primary and secondary preterm birth prevention interventions. Read More

Oncol Nurs Forum 2019 03;46(2):E48-E59

Emory University.

Objectives: To characterize the vaginal microbiome using QIIME 2™ (Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology 2) in women with gynecologic cancer.

Sample & Setting: 19 women with gynecologic cancer before and after radiation therapy at a comprehensive cancer center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Methods & Variables: This pilot study analyzed vaginal microbiome communities using a microbiome analysis pipeline, beginning with 16S rRNA gene sequencing and processing through use of a bioinformatics pipeline to downstream microbial statistical analysis. Read More

Front Public Health 2019 31;7. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Urology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States.

Male circumcision (MC) is proven to substantially reduce men's risk of a number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We conducted a detailed systematic review of the scientific literature to determine the relationship between MC and risk of STIs and associated conditions in women. Database searches by "circumcision women" and "circumcision female" identified 68 relevant articles for inclusion. Read More

Turk J Med Sci 2019 Feb 11;49(1):375-383. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Background/aim: Lactic acid bacteria prevent the overgrowth of pathogenic agents and opportunistic pathogens in the vagina. Moreover, lactic acid bacteria contribute to the preservation of vaginal microbiota by producing antimicrobial agents. Previous studies showed that some lactic acid bacteria exhibited antimicrobial activity against Candida species causing yeast vaginosis as well as many bacterial pathogens. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 13;9(1):1917. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) causes genital inflammation and increased HIV acquisition risk. The standard-of-care for BV, antibiotic therapy, is associated with high recurrence rates. Probiotics may improve treatment outcomes, although substantial heterogeneity in efficacy has been observed during clinical trials. Read More