The Human Vaginal Microbiota: From Clinical Medicine to Models to Mechanisms

Authors

Samantha Ottinger
Clare M Robertson
Holly Branthoover
Kathryn A Patras

Language

English

Publication Date

2-1-2024

Journal

Current Opinion in Microbiology

DOI

10.1016/j.mib.2023.102422

PMID

38215548

PMCID

PMC11160953

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

2-1-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Author MSS

Abstract

The composition of the vaginal microbiota is linked to numerous reproductive health problems, including increased susceptibility to infection, pregnancy complications, and impaired vaginal tissue repair; however, the mechanisms contributing to these adverse outcomes are not yet fully defined. In this review, we highlight recent clinical advancements associating vaginal microbiome composition and function with health outcomes. Subsequently, we provide a summary of emerging models employed to identify microbe-microbe interactions contributing to vaginal health, including metagenomic sequencing, multi-omics approaches, and advances in vaginal microbiota cultivation. Last, we review new in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models, such as organoids and humanized microbiota murine models, used to define and mechanistically explore host-microbe interactions at the vaginal mucosa.

Keywords

Pregnancy, Female, Humans, Animals, Mice, Microbiota, Metagenome, Host Microbial Interactions, Vagina, Clinical Medicine

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Ottinger, Samantha; Robertson, Clare M; Branthoover, Holly; et al., "The Human Vaginal Microbiota: From Clinical Medicine to Models to Mechanisms" (2024). Faculty and Staff Publications. 4816.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/4816