The Complex Link between the Female Genital Microbiota, Genital Infections, and Inflammation
Open accessAbstract
The female genital tract microbiota is part of a complex ecosystem influenced by several physiological, genetic, and behavioral factors. It is uniquely linked to a woman's mucosal immunity and plays a critical role in the regulation of genital inflammation. A vaginal microbiota characterized by a high abundance of lactobacilli and low overall bacterial diversity is associated with lower inflammation. On the other hand, a more diverse microbiota is linked to high mucosal inflammation levels, a compromised genital epithelial barrier, and an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections and other conditions. Several bacterial taxa such as Gardnerella spp., Prevotella spp., Sneathia spp., and Atopobium spp. are well known to have adverse effects; however, the definitive cause of this microbial dysbiosis is yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this review is to discuss the multiple ways in which the microbiota influences the overall genital inflammatory milieu and to explore the causes and consequences of this inflammatory response. While there is abundant evidence linking a diverse genital microbiota to elevated inflammation, understanding the risk factors and mechanisms through which it affects genital health is essential. A robust appreciation of these factors is important for identifying effective prevention and treatment strategies.
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A dysbiotic vaginal microbiome, characterized by increased microbial diversity and reduced Lactobacillus spp., is associated with vaginal inflammation, increased incidence of sexually transmitted infections, and bacterial vaginosis.
“a dysbiotic vaginal microbiome (VMB), characterized by increased microbial diversity and a reduction in Lactobacillus spp. has been associated with vaginal inflammation, an increased incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and clinical conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) [4, 6–8].”
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- Authors
- Dabee, S., Passmore, J.-A. S., Heffron, R., & Jaspan, H. B.
- Affiliations
- Seattle Children's Research Institute (US)
- National Health Laboratory Service (ZA)
- University of Washington (US)
- University of Cape Town (ZA)
- Corresponding author
- Jaspan, Heather B.
- Venue
- Infection and Immunity
- Publisher
- American Society for Microbiology
- Published
- 2021-04-16
- Volume
- 89
- Issue
- 5
- ISSN
- 0019-9567 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-5522
- PMC
- PMC8091093
- OpenAlex
- W3126677987
- Cited by
- 89
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2
- FWCI
- 1.73
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Infection and Immunity (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- EDCTP (SP·2011·41304·038)
- NIH (R01 HD089831)
- South African Department of Science and Technology (DST/CON 0260/2012)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Microbiology › Reproductive tract infections research
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
- Keywords
- genital tract infection, genital inflammation, dysbiosis, vaginal microbiota, risk factors, prevention, treatment options
- MeSH terms
- Disease Susceptibility, Female, Genital Diseases, Female, Genitalia, Female, Humans, Risk Factors, Vagina, Host-Pathogen Interactions, Microbiota
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