The vaginal microbiota
The vaginal microbiota is an ecosystem constituted of microorganisms, where the genus Lactobacillus predominates. Its equilibrium is fragile and changes in its composition cause infections.
Vaginal microbiota, also known as Döderlein flora, has been described since 1894. It is a very complex ecosystem in dynamic equilibrium. Its composition varies widely from one person to another1-2 .
The predominant genus is Lactobacillus, which produces lactic acid that allows it to maintain a pH between 3.8 and 4.4 in normal conditions. This acidic pH creates a hostile environment for the proliferation of opportunistic pathogens3-5 . Vaginal microbiota is a key factor in protecting the host against various bacterial, fungal, or viral pathogens. It also plays an essential role in the initial colonization of newborns, with consequences for the immune system and neurological development6 . The most commonly found species are L. crispatus, L. iners, L. jensenii, and L. gasseri. They offer antibacterial properties, produce biofilms, and promote the immune mechanisms that protect the vaginal mucus membranes7.
Besides the above-mentioned microorganisms, almost 250 bacterial species have been described, particularly anaerobic species like Prevotella, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Atopobium vaginae, but also Escherichia coli and the yeast Candida albicans8 . Their nature and concentration varies based on gene pool, ethnic origin, medication factors (antibiotics), environment, and behavior (sexual activity, personal hygiene, etc.), and are also influenced by the oral and intestinal flora9.
Vaginal microbiota changes over the lifetime (sexual hormones, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, etc.) and these factors have an influence on the composition of this ecosystem10.
Although it varies from one woman to another, vaginal microbiota must maintain a certain equilibrium to preserve health in the reproductive tract4 . Various gynecological diseases can result from or be prompted by an imbalance in vaginal microbiota (dysbiosis), in particular bacterial vaginosis (A. vaginae, Clostridiales, and G. vaginalis) and candidal vulvovaginitis. The topical or oral administration of probiotics seems to promote an equilibrium in this microbiota, and may reduce symptoms in the case of vaginal infection as well as the likelihood of recurrence.
Sources
1- Hummelen, R. et al. Vaginal microbiome and epithelial gene array in post-menopausal women with moderate to severe dryness. PloS One 6, e26602 (2011).
2- Albert, A. Y. K. et al. A Study of the Vaginal Microbiome in Healthy Canadian Women Utilizing cpn60-Based Molecular Profiling Reveals Distinct Gardnerella Subgroup Community State Types. PloS One 10, e0135620 (2015).
3- Tomusiak, A. et al. Efficacy and safety of a vaginal medicinal product containing three strains of probiotic bacteria: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. Drug Des. Devel. Ther. 9, 5345–5354 (2015). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26451088
4- Mizock, B. A. Probiotics. Dis Mon. 2015 ;61:259-90 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25921792
5- Romero, R. et al. The composition and stability of the vaginal microbiota of normal pregnant women is different from that of non-pregnant women. Microbiome 2014; 2, 4
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24484853
6- Dominguez-Bello, M.G.et al., Delivery mode shapes the acquisition and structure of the initial microbiota across multiple body habitats in newborns. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2010; 107: 11971– 11975
7- A. Schwiertz (Ed). Microbiota of the Human Body. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 2016; 902: 83-93 http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-319-31248-4
8- Li J et al. Importance of vaginal microbes in Reproductive health. Reprod Sci 2012; 19:235-242 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22383775
9- Pretrocevic L et al. Characterisation of the oral, vaginal and rectal Lactobacillus flora in healthy pregnant and postmenopausal women. Eur J Gynecol Reprod Biol 2012; 160:93-99.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22088236
10- Petrova, M. I. et al. Lactobacillus species as biomarkers and agents that can promote various aspects of vaginal health. Front. Physiol 2015;. 6: 81
Pathologies
Dysbiosis can cause multiple pathologies with repercussions on different organs.
Affecting the microbiota
There are 3 ways to affect the equilibrium of microbiota. Each of them has its own specific features.
-
Probiotics
The WHO defines probiotics as “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”.Voir -
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are substrates that promote the growth of bacteria. They are thus essential for a balanced microbiota.Voir -
Nutritional modulation
The composition of intestinal microbiota depends on what food is ingested and has consequences on overall metabolism.Voir
The various microbiota
- Intestinal microbiota
- Intestinal microbiota
- Intestinal microbiota
- Vaginal microbiota
- Vaginal microbiota
- Vaginal microbiota
- ENT microbiota
- ENT microbiota
- ENT microbiota
- Cutaneous microbiota
- Cutaneous microbiota
- Cutaneous microbiota
- Pulmonary microbiota
- Pulmonary microbiota
- Pulmonary microbiota
- Urinary microbiota
- Urinary microbiota
- Urinary microbiota
Intestinal microbiota
The intestinal microbiota is an organ in its own right.
Better characterized thanks to metagenomics, it is gradually giving up its secrets. Highly diversified, it lives in close relationship with its host. Formed from birth, it is specific to each individual and fulfills different functions within the body: barrier effect, trophic, metabolic and immune functions, etc., as well as others that remain to be elucidated.
Vaginal microbiota
The vaginal microbiota is an ecosystem constituted of microorganisms, where the genus Lactobacillus predominates. Its equilibrium is fragile and changes in its composition cause infections.
VoirENT microbiota
The ENT microbiota is an extremely diverse microbiota which is assumed to include at least 700 different species.
VoirCutaneous microbiota
Cutaneous microbiota is extremely diverse. Its composition varies according to the cutaneous zone and between individuals, and its imbalance is associated with skin diseases.
VoirPulmonary microbiota
The pulmonary microbiota was unknown for a long time, since it was commonly accepted that healthy lungs are sterile. This paradigm was cast into doubt with the discovery of the various human microbiota.
VoirUrinary microbiota
The urinary microbiota was discovered very recently and has only begun to be described. Imbalances in this flora may be associated with problems in the urinary tract.
VoirThe Biocodex Microbiota Institute: an international leader in microbiota
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