Comparative metagenome-assembled genome analysis ofLachnovaginosumgenomospecies, formerly known as BVAB1

• DOI: 10.1101/657197
• Publication Date: 2019-06-03T12:45:33Z
• Authors: Johanna B. Holm; Michael France; Bing Ma; Courtney K. Robinson; Elias McComb; Rebecca M. Brotman; Jacques Ravel
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences; 3. Good health

AbstractBacterial Vaginosis Associated Bacteria 1 (BVAB1) is an uncultured bacterial species found in the human vagina that belongs to the familyLachnospiraceaewithin the orderClostridiales, and as its name suggests, is often associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). In reproductive health, BV is of concern due to its associated risk for HIV,Chlamydia trachomatis, andNeisseria gonorrhoeaeacquisition as well as preterm birth. BVAB1 has been shown to be associated with BV persistence after metronidazole treatment and increased vaginal inflammation, and to confer a higher risk of puerperal infections. To date, no genome of BVAB1 is available, which has made it difficult to understand its disease-associated features. We present here a comparative analysis of seven metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of BVAB1, derived from the cervicovaginal lavages of seven separate women. One metagenome was sequenced with long-read technology on a PacBio Sequel II instrument while the others were sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq platform. The MAGs were 1.5-1.7 Mb long, encoding an average of 1,499 genes and had >98% average nucleotide identity to each other. CheckM-estimated genome completion was 98.2%. We propose to rename BVAB1 toLachnovaginosumgenomospecies based on a phylogenetic analysis, and provide genomic evidence that this species may metabolize D-lactate, produce trimethylamine (the chemical responsible for BV-associated odor), and be motile. These MAGs will be a valuable resource and will contribute to our understanding of the heterogenous etiologies of bacterial vaginosis.