Review
Microbiology
Eric Armstrong, Rupert Kaul
Summary: HIV incidence remains high in Eastern and Southern Africa, particularly affecting women. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in African, Caribbean, and other Black (ACB) women is associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition, with Lactobacillus species such as L. crispatus offering better protection compared to the more common species L. iners. Further research is needed to determine the mechanisms behind the varying levels of HIV protection among different Lactobacillus species.
Article
Immunology
David N. Fredricks, Anna Plantinga, Sujatha Srinivasan, Antoinette Oot, Andrew Wiser, Tina L. Fiedler, Sean Proll, Michael C. Wu, Jeanne M. Marrazzo
Summary: This study found that the presence or concentrations of BV-associated bacteria in the mouth, anus, labia, and vagina can predict whether women will develop BV in the future.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Natalie G. Allen, Laahirie Edupuganti, David J. Edwards, Nicole R. Jimenez, Gregory A. Buck, Kimberly K. Jefferson, Jerome F. Strauss, Edmond P. Wickham, Jennifer M. Fettweis
Summary: The study found differences in the vaginal microbiome of reproductive-aged women with overweight and obesity compared to those with healthy weight, with increased alpha diversity and decreased prevalence of Lactobacillus in the former group.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Mengyao Zeng, Liu Yang, Yanyan Mao, Yang He, Min Li, Jun Liu, Qianxi Zhu, Liang Chen, Weijin Zhou
Summary: Preconception reproductive tract infections may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and macrosomia.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Rinku Pramanick, Neelam Nathani, Himangi Warke, Niranjan Mayadeo, Clara Aranha
Summary: This study investigated the differences in vaginal microbial composition between Indian women with asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV) and those with normal flora. The results showed significant differences in microbial diversity between the two groups, with higher abundance of Lactobacillus in the normal microbiota and other bacterial phyla in the BV samples. The study also identified microbial biomarkers associated with dysbiosis and functional differences between BV and normal microbiota.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Andile Mtshali, James Emmanuel San, Farzana Osman, Nigel Garrett, Christina Balle, Jennifer Giandhari, Harris Onywera, Khanyisile Mngomezulu, Gugulethu Mzobe, Tulio de Oliveira, Anne Rompalo, Adrian Mindel, Salim S. Abdool Karim, Jacques Ravel, Jo-Ann S. Passmore, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Heather B. Jaspan, Lenine J. P. Liebenberg, Sinaye Ngcapu
Summary: The study investigated the effects of oral metronidazole on South African women with BV, finding short-term BV clearance in some patients after treatment, but over half experienced recurrence within 12 weeks. Metronidazole treatment temporarily reduced BV-associated anaerobes and increased lactobacilli species, resulting in significantly altered mucosal immune environment, with decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in women who cleared BV post-treatment.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alevtina M. Savicheva, Anna A. Krysanova, Olga V. Budilovskaya, Elena V. Spasibova, Tatiana A. Khusnutdinova, Kira V. Shalepo, Natalia R. Beliaeva, Galina Kh. Safarian, Kirill V. Sapozhnikov, Natalya I. Tapilskaya, Igor Yu. Kogan
Summary: Multiplex real-time PCR test can effectively evaluate the microbial composition and dominant lactobacilli species in women with bacterial vaginosis, and has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing the condition.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Joyce Serebrenik, Tao Wang, Richard Hunte, Sujatha Srinivasan, Jessica McWalters, Gregory K. Tharp, Steven E. Bosinger, Tina L. Fiedler, Jessica M. Atrio, Kerry Murphy, Rebecca Barnett, Laurie R. Ray, Meighan L. Krows, David N. Fredricks, Elizabeth Irungu, Kenneth Ngure, Nelly Mugo, Jeanne Marrazzo, Marla J. Keller, Betsy C. Herold
Summary: This study compared the vaginal microbiota and ectocervical transcriptome of BV patients before and after oral metronidazole therapy in Bronx, New York and Thika, Kenya. Significant differences in transcription associated with chemokine signaling and immune system process were already present at enrollment between responders and nonresponders. Responders had lower levels of CXCL9 at baseline and showed increased concentrations of CXCL9, CXCL10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 during treatment compared to nonresponders.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Axel Skafte-Holm, Peter Humaidan, Andrea Bernabeu, Belen Lledo, Jorgen Skov Jensen, Thor Haahr
Summary: The study found that vaginal dysbiosis is a significant risk factor for early pregnancy loss in IVF, leading to a significant reduction in clinical pregnancy rate, but did not significantly affect live birth rate.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura E. Janssen, Rubin J. T. Verduin, Christianne J. M. de Groot, Martijn A. Oudijk, Marjon A. de Boer
Summary: A study found that the use of vaginal gel during pregnancy is associated with spontaneous preterm birth, while washing with water, soap, intravaginal douching, or vaginal steaming are not associated with spontaneous preterm birth.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emma M. Rosen, Chantel L. Martin, Anna Maria Siega-Riz, Nancy Dole, Patricia Basta, Myrna Serrano, Jennifer Fettweis, Michael Wu, Shan Sun, John M. Thorp, Gregory Buck, Anthony A. Fodor, Stephanie M. Engel
Summary: The study found that higher consumption of dairy among pregnant women was associated with increased likelihood of membership in a beneficial vaginal microbiota type, particularly related to Lactobacillus. No significant associations were detected for intake of other food groups.
PAEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Yujing Liu, Tingyuan Li, Ruochun Guo, Tingting Chen, Sumeng Wang, Dingkun Wu, Jing Li, Zhihua Liu, Yuqian Zhao, Jian Yin, Junjie Qin, Li Sun, Wen Chen
Summary: This study aimed to demonstrate the association between vaginal microbiota and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection in women with and without bacterial vaginosis (BV). The findings showed that HR-HPV infection alters the composition and diversity of vaginal microbiota, and BV further reinforces this trend. Certain microbial genera are associated with multiple HPV infections, specific HPV genotypes, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) status.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Nan Wang, Lu Chen, Kangle Yi, Baizhong Zhang, Chunjin Li, Xu Zhou
Summary: Reproductive issues are a growing global concern, and there is increasing interest in understanding the relationship between microbiota and reproductive health. Stable microbiota communities exist in various parts of the reproductive system, and dysbiosis can have detrimental effects on gamete quality, embryo development, and disease susceptibility. A healthy microbiota, on the other hand, can protect against pathogens, improve reproductive potential, and reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review explores the effects and mechanisms of microbiota on reproduction, factors influencing microbiota composition, and potential applications in reproductive disorder treatment and detection.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Haitham A. Torky, El-Sayed El-Desouky, Ahmed Hussein, Ashraf Abo-Louz, Attia Mohammed, Ahmed Abd El-Hamid, Samir Galal, Mahmoud M. Tawfick, Heba Marie
Summary: The study revealed a positive correlation between the ano-vaginal distance and the risk of developing bacterial vaginosis, with individuals negative for bacterial vaginosis having a longer ano-vaginal distance. Further extensive research is needed to investigate this relationship in different population groups.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kayla A. Carter, Jennifer E. Balkus, Omu Anzala, Joshua Kimani, Noah G. Hoffman, Tina L. Fiedler, Vernon Mochache, David N. Fredricks, Raymond Scott McClelland, Sujatha Srinivasan
Summary: Core vaginal bacteria are consistently associated with BV signs and symptoms across two distinct populations of women.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jolein G. E. Laumen, Lieke B. van Alphen, Liteboho D. Maduna, Charlotte M. Hoffman, Jeffrey D. Klausner, Andrew Medina-Marino, Marleen M. Kock, Remco P. H. Peters
Summary: This study in South Africa found a low prevalence of azithromycin resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium and identified genetically diverse epidemic without geographic clustering. The introduction of molecular diagnostics and continuous surveillance are needed for early detection of resistance emergence.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Remco P. H. Peters, Liteboho Maduna, Marleen M. Kock, James A. McIntyre, Jeffrey D. Klausner, Andrew Medina-Marino
Summary: An observational study of LGV biovar Chlamydia trachomatis infection in HIV-infected women in South Africa found that 20% of women with C. trachomatis infection had LGV biovar detected in vaginal specimens, with 29% being symptomatic. All cases tested negative for LGV biovar after single-dose azithromycin treatment.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tapfumanei Mashe, Pimlapas Leekitcharoenphon, Sekesai Mtapuri-Zinyowera, Robert A. Kingsley, V Robertson, Andrew Tarupiwa, Marleen M. Kock, Evidence P. Makombe, Blessmore Chaibva, Portia Manangazira, Isaac Phiri, Simon Nyadundu, Chriswell T. Chigwena, Last P. Mufoya, Gaetan Thilliez, Stanely Midzi, Lusubilo W. Mwamakamba, Esther L. Hamblion, Jorge Matheu, Jacob D. Jensen, Frank M. Aarestrup, Rene S. Hendriksen, Marthie M. Ehlers
Summary: The study conducted molecular epidemiology analysis on the outbreak strains of S. enterica ser. Typhi in Zimbabwe from 2012 to 2019, revealing high drug resistance and 93% belonging to multidrug-resistant H58 lineage. Additionally, reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin was observed in the majority of the isolates.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
T. Goolam Mahomed, R. P. H. Peters, G. H. J. Pretorius, A. Goolam Mahomed, V Ueckermann, M. M. Kock, M. M. Ehlers
Summary: The study compared targeted metagenomics and IS-Pro methods for discerning the microbial composition of COPD patients' lung microbiome. Differences were observed in identifying and characterizing OTUs, diversity and microbial composition, with IS-Pro method potentially missing relevant species and inflating the abundance of Proteobacteria. Both methods performed similarly in terms of cost and time; however, IS-Pro method was more user-friendly.
Article
Microbiology
Hyunsul Jung, Johann D. D. Pitout, Barend C. Mitton, Kathy-Anne Strydom, Chanel Kingsburgh, Jennifer Coetzee, Marthie M. Ehlers, Marleen Kock
Summary: The study found that the Rapid ResaPolymyxin Acinetobacter/Pseudomonas NP test performed better for detecting colistin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii. However, the error rate of the test was higher when used for Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Faustinos Tatenda Takawira, Johann Dd Pitout, Gaetan Thilliez, Tapfumanei Mashe, Ana Victoria Gutierrez, Robert A. Kingsley, Gisele Peirano, Jorge Matheu, Stanley M. Midzi, Lusubilo W. Mwamakamba, David L. Gally, Andrew Tarupiwa, Leckson Mukavhi, Marthie M. Ehlers, Sekesai Mtapuri-Zinyowera, Marleen M. Kock
Summary: This study investigated ESBL-producing extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli associated with urinary tract infections in different regions of Zimbabwe from 2017 to 2019. The results showed ST131 and ST410 as the predominant resistant clones, with an increasing trend in ESBL-producing E. coli strains over time. The establishment and evolution of ESBL clones in Zimbabwe pose a significant public health threat, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring and targeted control programs for specific STs, such as ST131 and ST410, to reduce the spread of ESBLs among ExPEC.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
T. Goolam Mahomed, R. P. H. Peters, M. Allam, A. Ismail, S. Mtshali, A. Goolam Mahomed, V. Ueckermann, M. M. Kock, M. M. Ehlers
Summary: In this study, the composition of the lung microbiome in COPD patients from Africa was investigated and compared between stable and exacerbated states. While there were no significant differences in alpha and beta diversity measures between disease states, differences in abundances of certain bacteria were observed, along with a high frequency of the BeAn 58058 virus in the samples. This highlights the importance of further research on the lung microbiome of COPD patients in African settings.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Cara M. Dunaiski, Marleen M. Kock, Hyunsul Jung, Remco P. H. Peters
Summary: The prevalence of Candida infection, particularly non-albicans Candida species with fluconazole resistance, is alarmingly high in women with VDS in Namibia. This raises concerns about treatment outcomes and warrants access to microbiological testing for Candida species in the context of syndromic management.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND INFECTION CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Faustinos Tatenda Takawira, Johann D. D. Pitout, Gaetan Thilliez, Tapfumanei Mashe, Ana Victoria Gutierrez, Robert A. Kingsley, Gisele Peirano, Jorge Matheu, Stanley Munyaradzi Midzi, Lusubilo Witson Mwamakamba, David L. Gally, Andrew Tarupiwa, Leckson Mukavhi, Marthie M. Ehlers, Sekesai Mtapuri-Zinyowera, Marleen M. Kock
Summary: This study investigated the carriage of ESBL producing and colistin resistant E. coli in poultry in Zimbabwe. The study found a diverse group of ESBL producing E. coli strains in poultry, with the presence of multiple antibiotic resistance genes. This is the first report of mcr-1 in Zimbabwe, highlighting the importance of the One Health approach in controlling antibiotic resistance spread.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Dikeledi C. C. Sebola, James W. W. Oguttu, Marleen M. M. Kock, Daniel N. N. Qekwana
Summary: This study identified organisms associated with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and zoonosis in veterinary medicine. The most reported organism was Staphylococcus species.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dorcas A. Gado, Muna Ali Abdalla, Marthie M. Ehlers, Lyndy J. McGaw
Summary: Loxostylis alata is a plant used in South African traditional medicine for pain relief and immune system boost. A compound named 5-demethyl sinensetin, found in the plant, showed antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. It also exhibited potential cytotoxic effects on certain cell lines. Further research is needed to explore its anticancer properties.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Dorcas A. Gado, Muna Ali Abdalla, Joseph O. Erhabor, Marthie M. Ehlers, Lyndy J. McGaw
Summary: Bacterial biofilms pose health challenges in clinical environments and the food industry. The resistance of pathogens to antibiotics is making conventional antibiotic use ineffective. Previous studies found that extracts from Loxostylis alata have antimicrobial potential against bacterial pathogens. In this study, the inhibitory effects of the extracts and a compound from L. alata on biofilm growth and development were investigated. The extracts and compound demonstrated the ability to reduce initial cell attachment and biofilm biomass, but were not able to inhibit the growth of preformed biofilms.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Janri Geldenhuys, Mathys J. Redelinghuys, Hendrik A. Lombaard, Marthie M. Ehlers, Don Cowan, Marleen M. Kock
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the diversity of the gut, vaginal, and oral microbiome in South African pregnant women with and without pre-eclampsia. The results showed that pre-eclampsia was associated with an increase in alpha diversity in the vaginal microbiome and a decrease in Lactobacillus spp., but no significant changes were observed in the gut and oral microbiome.
FRONTIERS IN GLOBAL WOMENS HEALTH
(2022)