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NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes Mar 2024Colonization of the vaginal space with bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Mobiluncus mulieris is associated with increased risk for STIs, bacterial vaginosis,...
Colonization of the vaginal space with bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Mobiluncus mulieris is associated with increased risk for STIs, bacterial vaginosis, and preterm birth, while Lactobacillus crispatus is associated with optimal reproductive health. Although host-microbe interactions are hypothesized to contribute to reproductive health and disease, the bacterial mediators that are critical to this response remain unclear. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) are proposed to participate in host-microbe communication by providing protection of bacterial cargo, delivery to intracellular targets, and ultimately induction of immune responses from the host. We evaluated the proteome of bEVs produced in vitro from G. vaginalis, M. mulieris, and L. crispatus, identifying specific proteins of immunologic interest. We found that bEVs from each bacterial species internalize within cervical and vaginal epithelial cells, and that epithelial and immune cells express a multi-cytokine response when exposed to bEVs from G. vaginalis and M. mulieris but not L. crispatus. Further, we demonstrate that the inflammatory response induced by G. vaginalis and M. mulieris bEVs is TLR2-specific. Our results provide evidence that vaginal bacteria communicate with host cells through secreted bEVs, revealing a mechanism by which bacteria lead to adverse reproductive outcomes associated with inflammation. Elucidating host-microbe interactions in the cervicovaginal space will provide further insight into the mechanisms contributing to microbiome-mediated adverse outcomes and may reveal new therapeutic targets.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Female; Gardnerella vaginalis; Mobiluncus; Proteomics; Premature Birth; Extracellular Vesicles
PubMed: 38514622
DOI: 10.1038/s41522-024-00502-y -
Current Microbiology Feb 2024The strains Marseille-Q7072 (= CSUR Q7072 = CECT 30604) and Marseille-Q7826 (= CSUR Q7826 = CECT 30727) were isolated from vaginal samples. As MALDI-TOF mass...
The strains Marseille-Q7072 (= CSUR Q7072 = CECT 30604) and Marseille-Q7826 (= CSUR Q7826 = CECT 30727) were isolated from vaginal samples. As MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry failed to identify them, their genomes were directly sequenced to determine their taxogenomic identities. Both strains are anaerobic without any oxidase and catalase activity. C is the most abundant fatty acid for both strains. Strain Marseille-Q7072 is non-spore-forming, non-motile, Gram-stain-positive, and coccus-shaped, while strain Marseille-Q7826 is non-spore-forming, motile, Gram-stain-variable, and curved rod-shaped. The genomic comparison of the Marseille-Q7072 and Marseille-Q7826 strains showed that all digital DNA-DNA hybridisation (dDDH) and mean orthologous nucleotide identity (OrthoANI) values were below published species thresholds (70% and 95-96%, respectively) with other closely related species with standing in nomenclature. Thus, we conclude that both strains are new bacterial species. Strain Marseille-Q7072 is a new member of the Bacillota phylum, for which the name Peptoniphilus genitalis sp. nov. is proposed, while the Marseille-Q7826 strain is a new member of the Actinomycetota phylum, for which the name Mobiluncus massiliensis sp. nov. is proposed.
Topics: Female; Humans; Mobiluncus; Bacteria; Clostridiales; Microbiota; DNA
PubMed: 38372813
DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03584-7 -
Acta Crystallographica. Section D,... Nov 2023Cell-surface proteins known as adhesins enable bacteria to colonize particular environments, and in Gram-positive bacteria often contain autocatalytically formed...
Cell-surface proteins known as adhesins enable bacteria to colonize particular environments, and in Gram-positive bacteria often contain autocatalytically formed covalent intramolecular cross-links. While investigating the prevalence of such cross-links, a remarkable example was discovered in Mobiluncus mulieris, a pathogen associated with bacterial vaginosis. This organism encodes a putative adhesin of 7651 residues. Crystallography and mass spectrometry of two selected domains, and AlphaFold structure prediction of the remainder of the protein, were used to show that this adhesin belongs to the family of thioester, isopeptide and ester-bond-containing proteins (TIE proteins). It has an N-terminal domain homologous to thioester adhesion domains, followed by 51 immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains containing ester- or isopeptide-bond cross-links. The energetic cost to the M. mulieris bacterium in retaining such a large adhesin as a single gene or protein construct suggests a critical role in pathogenicity and/or persistence.
Topics: Female; Humans; Mobiluncus; Adhesins, Bacterial; Esters
PubMed: 37860959
DOI: 10.1107/S2059798323007507 -
Microbes and Environments 2023The umbilicus accumulates more dirt than other body surfaces and is difficult to clean. Hygiene in this area is vital, particularly for surgery, because of its proximity...
The umbilicus accumulates more dirt than other body surfaces and is difficult to clean. Hygiene in this area is vital, particularly for surgery, because of its proximity to the laparotomy site. Although microorganisms in the umbilicus have been extensively examined, those in umbilical dirt have not due to the lack of an efficient method of collection. We previously established a technique to extract umbilical dirt using the anchor effect of polymers, which are injected into the umbilicus. In the present study, we applied this technique for the first time to investigate umbilical dirt. The results obtained revealed an abundance of Corynebacterium among various bacteria, whereas Cutibacterium and Staphylococcus, which are abundant at other skin sites, were rare. The relationships between the microbiota and issues related to the umbilicus were investigated and some covariates, including the odor score and several bacteria, were identified. A detailed ana-lysis of the genera associated with odor revealed no correlation with Corynebacterium; however, some minor anaerobic bacteria, such as Mobiluncus, Arcanobacterium, and Peptoniphilus, were more abundant in the high odor score group. Therefore, this technique to collect umbilical dirt provided insights into the microbiota in umbilical dirt and suggested functions for minor anaerobes. Furthermore, since various pathogenic microorganisms were detected, their control may contribute to the prevention of both odor production and infectious diseases caused by these microorganisms.
Topics: Umbilicus; Odorants; Microbiota; Bacteria; Bacteria, Anaerobic; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 37407492
DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.ME23007 -
Microbiology Insights 2023The eradication of neonatal Group B (GBS) infections, considered as a major public health priority, necessarily requires a mastery of the data on vaginal carriage in...
The eradication of neonatal Group B (GBS) infections, considered as a major public health priority, necessarily requires a mastery of the data on vaginal carriage in pregnant women. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of vaginal carriage of GBS in pregnant women, antibiotic susceptibility, and associated risk factors. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted over a period of 9 months (July 2020 to March 2021) in pregnant women between 34 and 38 weeks of gestation (WG) followed at the Nabil Choucair health center in Dakar. Identification and antibiotic susceptibility of GBS isolates were performed on the Vitek 2 from vaginal swabs cultured on Granada medium. Demographic and obstetric interview data were collected and analyzed on SPSS (version 25). The level of significance for all statistical tests was set at < .05. The search of GBS vaginal carriage had involved 279 women aged 16 to 46 years, with a median pregnancy age of 34 (34-37) weeks' gestation. GBS was found in 43 women, for a vaginal carriage rate of 15.4%. In 27.9% (12/43) of volunteers screened, this carriage was monomicrobial, while in 72.1% (31/43) of women, GBS was associated with other pathogens such as spp. (60.5%), (2.3%), (34.9%) and/or spp. (11.6%). The level of resistance was 27.9% (12/43) for penicillin G, 53.5% (23/43) for erythromycin, 25.6% (11/43) for clindamycin and 100% for tetracycline. However, the strains had retained fully susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin. The main risk factor associated with maternal GBS carriage were ectocervical inflammation associated with contact bleeding (OR = 3.55; = .005). The high rate of maternal vaginal GBS carriage and the levels of resistance to the various antibiotics tested confirm the importance of continuous GBS surveillance in our resource-limited countries.
PubMed: 37275206
DOI: 10.1177/11786361231174419 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2023According to recent data, changes in the vaginal microbiota could affect the risk of gynaecological cancers. Women suffering from endometrial cancer present significant...
According to recent data, changes in the vaginal microbiota could affect the risk of gynaecological cancers. Women suffering from endometrial cancer present significant changes in cervicovaginal microbiota composition. The objective of our study was to characterize the cervicovaginal microbiota of women undergoing hysterectomy due to benign disease, atypical hyperplasia, and endometrial cancer; The study included 96 patients, who undergone surgical treatment due to benign uterine disease, precancerous endometrial lesion, and endometrial cancer. Quantitative and qualitative real-time PCR analysis of DNA isolated from vaginal fornix and endocervical canal samples was performed to detect the 19 most commonly identified microorganisms, including different spp., , , , and ; At least one of the tested microorganisms was identified in 88.5% of vaginal and 83.3% of cervical samples. was significantly more frequent in patients with benign condition, whereas and was more frequent in cancer patients; and which were identified as significantly more common in endometrial cancer vaginal samples, may be considered as potential endometrial cancer co-factors which promote/stimulate carcinogenesis. However, the exact mechanism of such activity remains unexplained and requires further investigations.
Topics: Humans; Female; Cervix Uteri; Vagina; Endometrial Neoplasms; Uterine Diseases; Microbiota; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 37175971
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098266 -
Animal Microbiome May 2023Managed southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) serve as assurance populations for wild conspecifics threatened by poaching and other anthropocentric...
BACKGROUND
Managed southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) serve as assurance populations for wild conspecifics threatened by poaching and other anthropocentric effects, though many managed populations experience subfertility and reproductive failure. Gut microbiome and host health are inextricably linked, and reproductive outcomes in managed southern white rhinoceros may be mediated in part by their diet and gut microbial diversity. Thus, understanding microbial dynamics within managed populations may help improve conservation efforts. We characterized the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome in the managed population of female southern white rhinoceros (n = 8) at the North Carolina Zoo and investigated the effects of seasonality (summer vs. winter) and age classes (juveniles (n = 2; 0-2 years), subadults (n = 2; 3-7 years), and adults (n = 4; >7 years)) on microbial richness and community structure. Collection of a fecal sample was attempted for each individual once per month from July-September 2020 and January-March 2021 resulting in a total of 41 samples analyzed. Microbial DNA was extracted and sequenced using the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA bacterial gene. Total operational taxonomic units (OTUs), alpha diversity (species richness, Shannon diversity), and beta diversity (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, linear discriminant analysis effect size) indices were examined, and differentially enriched taxa were identified.
RESULTS
There were differences (p < 0.05) in alpha and beta diversity indices across individuals, age groups, and sampling months. Subadult females had higher levels of Shannon diversity (Wilcoxon, p < 0.05) compared to adult females and harbored a community cluster distinct from both juveniles and adults. Samples collected during winter months (January-March 2021) possessed higher species richness and statistically distinct communities compared to summer months (July-September 2020) (PERMANOVA, p < 0.05). Reproductively active (n = 2) and currently nonreproductive adult females (n = 2) harbored differentially enriched taxa, with the gut microbiome of nonreproductive females significantly enriched (p = 0.001) in unclassified members of Mobiluncus, a genus which possesses species associated with poor reproductive outcomes in other animal species when identified in the cervicovaginal microbiome.
CONCLUSION
Together, our results increase the understanding of age and season related microbial variation in southern white rhinoceros at the North Carolina Zoo and have identified a potential microbial biomarker for reproductive concern within managed female southern white rhinoceros.
PubMed: 37147724
DOI: 10.1186/s42523-023-00249-5 -
Nutrients Jan 2023Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common disease in women of childbearing age and is caused by the growth of abnormal microbiota in the vagina. Probiotic consumption... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common disease in women of childbearing age and is caused by the growth of abnormal microbiota in the vagina. Probiotic consumption can be an effective alternative treatment to preserve or improve vaginal health. In the present study, MED-01, a complex of five strains of probiotic candidates isolated from the vagina of Korean women, was used. This study was designed as a 12-week, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MED-01 on vaginal health. A total of 101 reproductive-aged women with a Nugent score of 4-6 took MED-01 (5.0 × 10 CFU) or a placebo once a day, and 76 participants completed the procedure. MED-01 significantly reduced the Nugent score compared with the placebo. Quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that was significantly increased in the vagina, whereas harmful bacteria such as spp., and were suppressed after 12 weeks of MED-01 ingestion. No adverse events to the test food supplements were observed in the participants. These results confirmed that MED-01 can be used as a probiotic for treating BV, as it improves the vaginal microbiota.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adult; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Probiotics; Gardnerella vaginalis; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 36678202
DOI: 10.3390/nu15020331 -
Biofilm Dec 2023Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects approximately 26% of women of childbearing age globally, presenting with 3-5 times increased risk of miscarriage and two-fold risk of...
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects approximately 26% of women of childbearing age globally, presenting with 3-5 times increased risk of miscarriage and two-fold risk of pre-term birth Antibiotics (metronidazole and clindamycin) are typically employed to treat BV; however the success rate is low due to the formation of recalcitrant polymicrobial biofilms. As a novel therapeutic, promising results have been obtained using endolysins, although to date their efficacy has only been demonstrated against simple biofilm models. In this study, a four-species biofilm was developed consisting of and . Biofilms were grown in NYC III broth and treated using antibiotics and an anti- endolysin (CCB7.1) for 24 h. Biofilm composition, viability and structure were assessed using colony counts, live/dead qPCR and scanning electron microscopy. All species colonised biofilms to varying degrees, with being the most abundant. Biofilm composition remained largely unchanged when challenged with escalated concentrations of conventional antibiotics. A targeted endolysin candidate (CCB7.1) showed efficacy against several species planktonically, and significantly reduced viable within polymicrobial biofilms at 1 to 4X pMIC (p < 0.05 vs. vehicle control). Collectively, this study highlights the resilience of biofilm-embedded pathogens against the currently used antibiotics and provides a polymicrobial model that allows for more effective pre-clinical screening of BV therapies. The -specific endolysin CCB7.1 demonstrated significant activity against within polymicrobial biofilms, altering the overall community dynamic and composition.
PubMed: 36655001
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2022.100101 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2022Thyroid disease has been reported to associate with gut microbiota, but the effects of thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules on the oral microbiota are still largely...
OBJECTIVE
Thyroid disease has been reported to associate with gut microbiota, but the effects of thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules on the oral microbiota are still largely unknown. This study aimed to identify the variation in salivary microbiota and their potential association with thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules.
METHODS
We used 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing to examine the salivary microbiota of thyroid cancer patients (n = 14), thyroid nodules patients (n = 9), and healthy controls (n = 15).
RESULTS
The alpha-diversity indices Chao1 and ACE were found to be relatively higher in patients with thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules compared to healthy controls. The beta diversity in both the thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules groups was divergent from the healthy control group. The genera Alloprevotella, Anaeroglobus, Acinetobacter, unclassified Bacteroidales, and unclassified Cyanobacteriales were significantly enriched in the thyroid cancer group compared with the healthy control group. In contrast, the microbiome of the healthy controls was mainly composed of the genera Haemophilus, Lautropia, Allorhizobium Neorhizobium Pararhizobium Rhizobium, Escherichia Shigella, and unclassified Rhodobacteraceae. The thyroid nodules group was dominated by genre uncultured Candidatus Saccharibacteria bacterium, unclassified Clostridiales bacterium feline oral taxon 148, Treponema, unclassified Prevotellaceae, Mobiluncus, and Acholeplasma. In contrast, the genera unclassified Rhodobacteraceae and Aggregatibacter dominated the healthy control group. The study also found that clinical indicators were correlated with the saliva microbiome.
CONCLUSION
The salivary microbiota variation may be connected with thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Humans; Microbiota; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Saliva; Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroid Nodule
PubMed: 36034695
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.989188