Vaginal Microbiota of the Sexually Transmitted Infections Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis in Women with Vaginitis in Taiwan
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Authors
Chiu, Shu-Fang
Huang, Po-Jung
Cheng, Wei-Hung
Huang, Ching-Yun
Chu, Lichieh Julie
Lee, Chi-Ching
Lin, Hsin-Chung
Chen, Lih-Chyang
Lin, Wei-Ning
Tsao, Chang-Huei
Issue Date
2021-09-02
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Chlamydia Trachomatis , Trichomonas Vaginalis , Neisseria Gonorrhoeae , Sexually Transmitted Infections , Vaginal Microbiome
Alternative Title
Abstract
The three most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). The prevalence of these STIs in Taiwan remains largely unknown and the risk of STI acquisition affected by the vaginal microbiota is also elusive. In this study, a total of 327 vaginal swabs collected from women with vaginitis were analyzed to determine the presence of STIs and the associated microorganisms by using the BD Max CT/GC/TV molecular assay, microbial cultures, and 16S rRNA sequencing. The prevalence of CT, TV, and GC was 10.8%, 2.2% and 0.6%, respectively. A culture-dependent method identified that Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) were more likely to be associated with CT and TV infections. In CT-positive patients, the vaginal microbiota was dominated by L. iners, and the relative abundance of Gardnerella vaginalis (12.46%) was also higher than that in TV-positive patients and the non-STIs group. However, Lactobacillus spp. was significantly lower in TV-positive patients, while GBS (10.11%), Prevotella bivia (6.19%), Sneathia sanguinegens (12.75%), and Gemella asaccharolytica (5.31%) were significantly enriched. Using an in vitro co-culture assay, we demonstrated that the growth of L. iners was suppressed in the initial interaction with TV, but it may adapt and survive after longer exposure to TV. Additionally, it is noteworthy that TV was able to promote GBS growth. Our study highlights the vaginal microbiota composition associated with the common STIs and the crosstalk between TV and the associated bacteria, paving the way for future development of health interventions targeting the specific vaginal bacterial taxa to reduce the risk of common STIs.
Description
Citation
Chiu, S. F., Huang, P. J., Cheng, W. H., Huang, C. Y., Chu, L. J., Lee, C. C., Lin, H. C., Chen, L. C., Lin, W. N., Tsao, C. H., Tang, P., Yeh, Y. M., & Huang, K. Y. (2021). Vaginal Microbiota of the Sexually Transmitted Infections Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis in Women with Vaginitis in Taiwan. Microorganisms, 9(9), 1864. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9091864
Publisher
Microorganisms