Modern concepts of the vaginal microbiome and its significance in the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis

I.G. Afanasyeva, I.O. Malova

Department of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Irkutsk State Medical University, Irkutsk, Russia

Women’s reproductive health is closely related to a healthy vaginal microbiota. This is provided by the dominance of certain Lactobacillus types. The state of the vaginal microbiome is not fully understood. This is attributable to its evolutionary uniqueness. Animal models have a neutral pH, their microbiomes are not dominated by lactobacilli, and the concentration of vaginal glycogen and lactic acid is significantly reduced. In this regard, the experimental data are contradictory and difficult to interpret in vivo. Determining the underlying mechanisms responsible for the stability of the vaginal econiche is of great importance. It is interesting to look at bacterial vaginosis through the lens of current knowledge of the vaginal microbiome. There are gaps in our knowledge in understanding the variability and relationships of the vaginal microbiota.

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About the Authors

Corresponding author: Irina G. Afanasyeva, Cand. Sci (Med.), Associate Professor, Department of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Irkutsk State Medical University, Skin Diseases Clinic, Irkutsk, Russia; irishaaf@yandex.ru

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