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Bacterial vaginosis (BV) affects over half of women globally at some point in their lives, primarily due to a Lactobacillus-deficient vaginal microbiome. Despite this knowledge, there have been no significant advancements in effective BV treatments for nearly four decades, making this a critical area of research and interest.
What We Know:
BV is characterised by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiome, marked by a low abundance of beneficial Lactobacilli and an overgrowth of diverse anaerobic bacteria. This imbalance leads to clinical symptoms such as discharge, odour and mucosal inflammation. BV is also linked to several adverse health outcomes, including preterm birth, infertility, cervical dysplasia and increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV (Zhu et al., 2024).
Standard antibiotic treatments, like metronidazole (MTZ), often fail to provide lasting relief, with over 50% of patients experiencing recurrence within a year. This is partly because antibiotics tend to favour the growth of Lactobacillus iners over Lactobacillus crispatus, the latter being associated with better health outcomes (Zhu et al., 2024).
Industry Impact and Potential:
Recent research has shown that oleic acid (OA) and similar unsaturated long-chain fatty acids (uLCFAs) can inhibit L. iners while simultaneously promoting the growth of L. crispatus. These uLCFAs are essential for cell membranes and possess antimicrobial properties that suppress harmful microbes. Remarkably, OA has been found to encourage L. crispatus dominance more effectively than traditional antibiotics in laboratory models of BV, suggesting a promising metabolite-based treatment approach (Zhu et al., 2024).
Specific genes in non-iners Lactobacillus species allow them to thrive in OA-rich environments. The gene farE is crucial for OA resistance, while the enzyme ohyA helps these bacteria utilise OA for building their cell membranes. Importantly, treatments for BV that include OA - alone or in combination with metronidazole (MTZ) - enhance the growth of beneficial L. crispatus in lab studies. This research highlights different nutrient utilisation strategies among Lactobacillus species and points to new approaches for improving women’s reproductive health (Zhu et al., 2024).
Our Solution:
At Sequential, we are at the forefront of microbiome research and development, offering comprehensive services beyond vaginal microbiome analysis. We also evaluate skin, scalp and oral microbiomes, establishing our leadership in testing products that maintain microbiome integrity. Our team of specialists excels in helping your company develop robust studies tailored to enhance the vaginal microbiome, promoting women's health and well-being.
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