Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arnaud Zuber, Adriana Peric, Nicola Pluchino, David Baud, Milos Stojanov
Summary: The human body is colonised by microorganisms, including the genital tract which has been linked to male infertility and pathological conditions like prostate cancer. However, research on the microbiota of the male genital tract remains lacking due to difficulties in sampling and low abundance of microbiota. This narrative review aims to present the results of studies using next-generation sequencing to examine bacterial colonisation patterns in different anatomical compartments of the male genital tract and highlight their findings and limitations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Smritee Dabee, Jo-Ann S. Passmore, Renee Heffron, Heather B. Jaspan
Summary: The female genital tract microbiota is influenced by various factors and plays a critical role in regulating genital inflammation. A microbiota with high lactobacilli abundance and low diversity is associated with lower inflammation, while a more diverse microbiota is linked to higher inflammation levels and increased risk of health conditions. Understanding the mechanisms behind these associations is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ningxia Sun, Haixia Ding, Hongjing Yu, Yixuan Ji, Xiuyue Xifang, Wenjuan Pang, Xiang Wang, Qing Zhang, Wen Li
Summary: This study characterized the microbiome variations in reproductive-aged Chinese women, revealing the dominance of Lactobacillus in the cervicovaginal microbiota. A positive correlation between Lactobacillus iners and Lactobacillus crispatus in the vagina and cervix was observed. Differences in bacterial abundance and dysregulated pathways were identified in the uterine cavity of infertile patients compared to healthy controls. This comprehensive microbial landscape sheds light on the functional roles in female infertility in the Chinese population.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aspen T. Reese, Sarah R. Phillips, Leah A. Owens, Emily M. Venable, Kevin E. Langergraber, Zarin P. Machanda, John C. Mitani, Martin N. Muller, David P. Watts, Richard W. Wrangham, Tony L. Goldberg, Melissa Emery Thompson, Rachel N. Carmody
Summary: Research found significant variations in gut microbiota of wild chimpanzees at different ages, different from the patterns observed in humans. Chimpanzee infants have similar microbial compositions to human infants, but show higher diversity compared to older conspecifics.
Article
Immunology
Aloysious Ssemaganda, Francois Cholette, Michelle Perner, Cheli Kambaran, Wendy Adhiambo, Peter M. Wambugu, Henok Gebrebrhan, Amy Lee, Faisal Nuhu, Ruth S. Mwatelah, Naima Jahan, Tosin E. Omole, Tabitha Wanjiru, Apollo Gitau, Joshua Kimani, Lyle R. McKinnon
Summary: In a study of women in Nairobi, it was found that the proportion of Tregs in the endocervix correlated with those in blood, with a higher Treg frequency observed in the endocervix. Most Tregs in both compartments expressed FOXP3, and CTLA-4 expression was higher on endocervical Tregs compared to blood. Endocervical Treg proportions were inversely associated with the number of elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines, and higher endocervical Treg proportions were associated with lower abundance of endocervical CD4+ T cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biology
Luigi Santacroce, Raffaele Palmirotta, Lucrezia Bottalico, Ioannis Alexandros Charitos, Marica Colella, Skender Topi, Emilio Jirillo
Summary: The female genital tract is vital for reproduction but is prone to microbial infections due to its exposure to the external environment. The upper (uterus and cervix) and lower (vagina) parts of the tract have different microbiota compositions, and an imbalance in this microbiota can lead to infections. Aerobic vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, and Chlamydia trachomatis are the most common infections that can have severe complications in reproduction and pregnancy. Natural products like probiotics, polyphenols, and lactoferrin are being investigated for their potential use in treating these infections, but more research is needed to determine the most effective administration based on patient characteristics.
Article
Immunology
Junhua Liang, Meng Li, Lei Zhang, Yang Yang, Xia Jin, Qiongqiong Zhang, Tao Lv, Zhenyu Huang, Qinping Liao, Xiaowen Tong
Summary: This study aims to determine the composition and changing characteristics of the microbiota in the genital tract of infertile patients with chronic endometritis or endometrial polyps and find the correlation between it and the occurrence of diseases. The results showed that the endometrial microbiota of infertile patients with chronic endometritis or endometrial polyps did have significant changes in the relative abundance distribution of species, indicating that changes in local microecology may be an important factor in the occurrence of disease. Further study of endometrial microecology may provide new opportunities for improving the diagnosis and treatment strategy of chronic endometritis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Junsong Zhao, Yongfang Yao, Mengmeng Dong, Hongtao Xiao, Ying Xiong, Shengzhi Yang, Diyan Li, Meng Xie, Qingyong Ni, Mingwang Zhang, Huailiang Xu
Summary: Animal gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host adaptation to different altitude environments. However, little is known about the mechanism of animal gut microbiota in adapting to high altitudes. This study analyzed the response of gut microbiota in wild macaques, humans, and dogs to diet and altitude environments, and found that high altitude environments drive the convergence of gut microbiota among species, possibly due to microbial transmission mediated by human activities.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Hongcai Ma, Wangsheng Zhao, Tianzeng Song, Zhaxi Baijiu, Zhenzhen Zhang
Summary: This study aimed to discover the changes in the genital tract microbiota of pre-and post-partum Bangor Sewa sheep. The results showed noticeable differences in three phyla and 74 genera between the pre-and post-parturition groups in the microbiota of Bangor Sewa sheep. These findings can serve as indicators of the physical state and reproductive health of Bangor Sewa sheep.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Micael F. M. Goncalves, Teresa Pina-Vaz, Angela Rita Fernandes, Isabel M. Miranda, Carlos Martins Silva, Acacio Goncalves Rodrigues, Carmen Lisboa
Summary: This study analyzed the bacterial microbiota in urine samples, glans secretions, and prostate biopsies from patients with and without prostate cancer. The results showed distinct differences in the bacterial communities between prostate cancer and non-prostate cancer patients. Microbial dysbiosis may contribute to chronic inflammation and prostate carcinogenesis. Further research is needed to understand the impact of uropathogens on the development of prostate cancer.
Article
Microbiology
Jiancheng Qi, Dongjie Cai, Yaocheng Cui, Tianyu Tan, Huawei Zou, Wei Guo, Yue Xie, Hongrui Guo, Shi-Yi Chen, Xiaoping Ma, Liping Gou, Hengmin Cui, Yi Geng, Ming Zhang, Gang Ye, Zhijun Zhong, Zhihua Ren, Yanchun Hu, Ya Wang, Junliang Deng, Shumin Yu, Suizhong Cao, Metha Wanapat, Jing Fang, Zhisheng Wang, Zhicai Zuo
Summary: This study investigated the correlation between starvation and nasopharynx microbial diversity for the first time, and found that severe starvation could decrease microbial diversity and increase the risk of respiratory diseases. The role of oral bacteria in maintaining nasopharynx microbial homeostasis was also emphasized, providing new insights for the prevention of respiratory diseases.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Davide Porcellato, Marit Smistad, Alberto Bombelli, Ahmed Abdelghani, Hannah Joan Jorgensen, Siv B. Skeie
Summary: This study investigated the longitudinal shifts in microbial composition of bulk tank milk, revealing a persistent and farm-specific microbiota. Changes in composition within the same farm were mainly driven by bacteria associated with mastitis. Major shifts in milk microbiota were not correlated with farm settings but other factors such as weather and feeding may have had a greater impact.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Daniel W. Nielsen, Samantha J. Hau, Kathy T. Mou, David P. Alt, Susan L. Brockmeier
Summary: This study investigated the influence of B. bronchiseptica infection on the swine nasal microbiota. The results showed that nasal bacterial diversity was not persistently affected by B. bronchiseptica colonization. However, the bacterial community structures significantly diverged on day 7 of infection, and certain microbial groups showed increased abundances in the infected group. This study revealed the potential disruption of the upper respiratory tract microbiota by B. bronchiseptica colonization and the need for further research on how these disturbances impact susceptibility to secondary infections by other respiratory pathogens.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
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
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Arianna Basile, Almut Heinken, Johannes Hertel, Larry Smarr, Weizhong Li, Laura Treu, Giorgio Valle, Stefano Campanaro, Ines Thiele
Summary: This study employs constraint-based microbial community modeling to investigate an individual with episodic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The individual has well-documented colonic inflammatory biomarkers and metagenomically-sequenced fecal time series. Results show time-correlated microbial species and metabolites in the individual's microbial ecology during the disease state. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiome affects metabolite production and has consequences on other organs in the body.