Preliminary characterization of the normal microbiota of the human vulva using cultivation-independent methods

• DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.46607-0
• Publication Date: 2007-01-23T21:03:47Z
• Authors: Celeste J. Brown; Mayee Wong; Catherine C. Davis; Amita Kanti; Xia Zhou; Larry J. Forney
• Keywords: Labia majora; Labia Minora

The objective of this study was to perform a preliminary characterization the microbial populations normal human vulva. Genomic DNA isolated from samples labia majora and minora four healthy women, sequences bacterial 16S rRNA genes in each were determined. compared with those known species classify numerically abundant these communities. Even among limited number individuals, microbiota vulva found be quite diverse. Each woman had distinctive no single common all women. differed, although both appreciable numbers lactobacilli strict anaerobes. A greater diversity inhabited minora. results indicated that includes commensals skin, colon vagina, is much more complex than previously thought, suggesting extensive investigations are warranted.