Alterations of the vaginal microbiome in healthy pregnant women positive for group B Streptococcus colonization during the third trimester

• DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02730-8
• Publication Date: 2022-12-21T06:03:57Z
• Authors: Sarah Shabayek; Asmaa M. Abdellah; Mohammed Salah; Mohammed Ramadan; Nora Fahmy
• Keywords: Peptostreptococcus; Ureaplasma; Vaginal flora; Group B

Abstract Background Streptococcus agalactiae or group B (GBS) asymptomatically colonizes the genitourinary tracts of up to 30% pregnant women. Globally, GBS is an important cause neonatal morbidity and mortality. has recently been linked adverse pregnancy outcomes. The potential interactions between vaginal microbiome composition remain poorly understood. In addition, little known about microbiota Egyptian Results Using V3-V4 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing, we examined in culture-positive women (22) culture-negative during third trimester Ismailia, Egypt. According alpha-diversity indices, was significantly more diverse less homogenous. differed based on beta-diversity phylum Firmicutes family Lactobacillaceae were abundant GBS-negative colonizers. contrast, phyla Actinobacteria , Tenericutes Proteobacteria families Bifidobacteriaceae Mycoplasmataceae Streptococcaceae Corynebacteriaceae Staphylococcaceae Peptostreptococcaceae On genus species levels, Lactobacillus only detected with higher relative abundance status (88%), L. iners most species. Conversely, GBS-positive carriers exhibited a significant decrease (56%). colonizers, genera Ureaplasma Gardnerella Corynebacterium Staphylococcus Peptostreptococcus anaerobius higher. Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes Genomes (KEGG) pathways related metabolism cofactors vitamins, phosphatidylinositol signaling system, peroxisome, host immune system pathways, endocrine exclusively enriched among microbial communities. However, lipid KEGG nucleotide metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation genetic information processing associated translation, replication, repair, human diseases ( aureus infection) Conclusions Understanding how perturbations contribute complications may result development alternative, targeted prevention strategies prevent maternal colonization. We hypothesized associations inferred function that would need be confirmed larger cohorts.