Abstract：
BACKGROUND: The vaginal microbiota plays a significant role in pregnancy outcomes and newborn health. Indeed, the composition and diversity of the vaginal microbiota can vary among different ethnic groups. Our study aimed to investigate the composition of the vaginal microbiome throughout the three trimesters of pregnancy and to identify any potential variations or patterns in the Turkish population compromising mixed ethnicities.
METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study to characterize the vaginal microbiota of pregnant women. The study included a total of 25 participants, and the samples were collected at each trimester: 11-13 weeks, 20-24 weeks and 28-34 weeks gestation.
RESULTS: Lactobacillus species were consistently found to be dominant in the vaginal microbiota throughout all trimesters of pregnancy. Among Lactobacillus species, L. crispatus had the highest abundance in all trimesters (40.6%, 40.8% and 44.4%, respectively). L. iners was the second most prevalent species (28.5%, 31% and 25.04, respectively). Our findings reveal that the dominant composition of the vaginal microbiota aligns with the CST-type I, commonly observed in the European population.
CONCLUSIONS: This suggests that there are shared mechanisms influencing the microbial communities in the vagina, which are likely influenced by factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and cultural behaviors rather than ethnicity alone. The complex interplay of these factors contributes to the establishment and maintenance of the vaginal microbiota during pregnancy. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and their impact on vaginal health across diverse populations is essential for improving pregnancy outcomes. The study was approved by the Koc University Ethical Committee (no:2019.093.IRB2.030) and registered at the clinical trials.
METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study to characterize the vaginal microbiota of pregnant women. The study included a total of 25 participants, and the samples were collected at each trimester: 11-13 weeks, 20-24 weeks and 28-34 weeks gestation.
RESULTS: Lactobacillus species were consistently found to be dominant in the vaginal microbiota throughout all trimesters of pregnancy. Among Lactobacillus species, L. crispatus had the highest abundance in all trimesters (40.6%, 40.8% and 44.4%, respectively). L. iners was the second most prevalent species (28.5%, 31% and 25.04, respectively). Our findings reveal that the dominant composition of the vaginal microbiota aligns with the CST-type I, commonly observed in the European population.
CONCLUSIONS: This suggests that there are shared mechanisms influencing the microbial communities in the vagina, which are likely influenced by factors such as genetics, lifestyle, and cultural behaviors rather than ethnicity alone. The complex interplay of these factors contributes to the establishment and maintenance of the vaginal microbiota during pregnancy. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and their impact on vaginal health across diverse populations is essential for improving pregnancy outcomes. The study was approved by the Koc University Ethical Committee (no:2019.093.IRB2.030) and registered at the clinical trials.
摘要：
背景：阴道微生物群在妊娠结局和新生儿健康中起着重要作用。的确,阴道微生物群的组成和多样性在不同种族之间可能有所不同。我们的研究旨在调查整个妊娠三个月阴道微生物组的组成，并确定土耳其人口中影响混合种族的任何潜在变化或模式。
方法：我们进行了一项纵向研究，以表征孕妇的阴道微生物群。该研究共包括25名参与者，样本在每三个月收集：11-13周，妊娠20-24周和28-34周。
结果：在妊娠的所有三个月中，始终发现乳杆菌在阴道微生物群中占主导地位。在乳酸菌中，在所有三个月中，crispatus的丰度最高(40.6%，40.8%和44.4%,分别)。L.iners是第二普遍的物种(28.5%，分别为31%和25.04）。我们的发现表明，阴道微生物群的主要组成与CSTI型一致，通常在欧洲人口中观察到。
结论：这表明存在影响阴道微生物群落的共同机制，这可能受到遗传等因素的影响，生活方式,和文化行为，而不仅仅是种族。这些因素的复杂相互作用有助于在怀孕期间建立和维持阴道微生物群。了解潜在机制及其对不同人群阴道健康的影响对于改善妊娠结局至关重要。该研究得到了Koc大学伦理委员会的批准（编号：2019.093。IRB2.030）并在临床试验中注册。
方法：我们进行了一项纵向研究，以表征孕妇的阴道微生物群。该研究共包括25名参与者，样本在每三个月收集：11-13周，妊娠20-24周和28-34周。
结果：在妊娠的所有三个月中，始终发现乳杆菌在阴道微生物群中占主导地位。在乳酸菌中，在所有三个月中，crispatus的丰度最高(40.6%，40.8%和44.4%,分别)。L.iners是第二普遍的物种(28.5%，分别为31%和25.04）。我们的发现表明，阴道微生物群的主要组成与CSTI型一致，通常在欧洲人口中观察到。
结论：这表明存在影响阴道微生物群落的共同机制，这可能受到遗传等因素的影响，生活方式,和文化行为，而不仅仅是种族。这些因素的复杂相互作用有助于在怀孕期间建立和维持阴道微生物群。了解潜在机制及其对不同人群阴道健康的影响对于改善妊娠结局至关重要。该研究得到了Koc大学伦理委员会的批准（编号：2019.093。IRB2.030）并在临床试验中注册。
