Biology subjects

Adelson, M. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Adelson, M. E..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Molecular and Pathological Characterization of Cervicovaginal Specimens Evince Significant Protection Against HPV Infections, Bacterial Vaginosis, and Epithelial Cell Abnormalities by Lactobacillus species

BackgroundBacterial vaginosis (BV) results in dysbiosis in the vaginal microbiome and facilitates secondary human papilloma virus (HPV) infections, which can cause cervical abnormalities. The effects of Lactobacilli on BV-HPV infections and cervicovaginal pathology were investigated. MethodElectronic molecular and cytology laboratory results, and demographic records of 19,105 females screened for BV, HPV, and cervical cancer between August 2021 and April 2023 were collected. After data cleaning and reorganization, 15, 607 sample results were used. The data was subjected to epidemiological, statistical, and machine learning analyses to identify patterns, correlations, associations, and interactive effects of age, State, Lactobacilli, BV-associated pathogens, high-risk HPV (hrHPV) genotypes, BV, and cervical cytology. ResultsThe final dataset comprised of data from anonymized females (n = 15541, 99.57%), males (n = 13, 0.08%) and unknown gender (n = 53, 0.34%) between 14 and 95 years from 32 States and Washington D.C. Most samples were BV positive (n = 8282, 53.07%) and/or NILM (n = 11749) followed by 14.29% ASCUS (n = 2231), 7.14% LSIL (n = 1115), 1.04% RCC (n = 163), 0.53% HSIL (n = 82), 0.39% ASC-H (n = 61), and 0.16% AGC (n = 25). HPV-positive samples had higher BV pathogens and BV-positive diagnosis (between 51.90% and 68.60%) than BV-negative diagnosis. Lactobacillus gasseri (79.75%), Lactobacillus jensenii (82.68%), Lactobacillus crispatus (90.91%) were mostly found in BV-negative and NILM specimens. BV and ECA outcomes were significantly associated with age and State. Statistical, correlation, and machine learning models predictively confirmed these findings. ConclusionL. crispatus, followed by L. gasseri and L. jensenii, significantly maintains a healthy cervicovaginal microbiome by inhibiting harmful bacterial pathogens and high-risk HPV subtypes; L. iners have an opposing or neutral effect. Lay summary/importance/highlightsBacterial vaginosis (BV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections mostly occur in sexually active and reproductive-age women, adversely affecting their quality of life and predisposing them to sequelae of reproductive disorders. In this study, the protective effects of Lactobacilli against BV and HPV infections to maintain a healthy cervicovaginal microbiome were investigated. Lactobacillus crispatus, L. gasseri, and L. jensenii were common in clinical specimens that had no or relatively lower concentrations of hrHPV, BV, and cervico-vaginal cell abnormalities and vice versa. This shows how important these Lactobacilli are in maintaining a healthy cervix and vagina. Age and BV were found to be strongly associated with the incidence of HPV infections and epithelial cell abnormalities (ECAs). Some States had higher prevalence of BV and ECAs than others. Co-infection with multiple hrHPV and/or hrHPV-BV pathogens segued into negative health effects; some interactions were beneficial for the microbiome, albeit those were few. This makes multiple HPV genotype infections dangerous.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2024

Molecular Characterization of Vaginal Microbiota Using a New 22-Species qRT-PCR Test to Achieve a Relative-abundance and Species-based Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis

BackgroundNumerous bacteria are involved in the etiology of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Yet, current tests only focus on a select few. We therefore designed a new test targeting 22 BV-relevant species. MethodsUsing 946 stored vaginal samples, a new qPCR test that quantitatively identifies 22 bacterial species was designed. The distribution and relative abundance of each species, - and {beta}-diversities, correlation and species co-existence were determined per sample. A diagnostic index was modeled from the data, trained, and tested to classify samples into BV-positive, BV-negative, or transitional BV. ResultsThe qPCR test identified all 22 targeted species with 95 - 100% sensitivity and specificity within 8 hours (from sample reception). Across most samples, Lactobacillus iners, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus jensenii, Gardnerella vaginalis, Fannyhessea (Atopobium) vaginae, Prevotella bivia, and Megasphaera sp. type 1 were relatively abundant. BVAB-1 was more abundant and distributed than BVAB-2 and BVAB-3. No Mycoplasma genitalium was found. Inter-sample similarity was very low, and correlations existed between key species, which were used to model, train, and test a diagnostic index: MDL-BV index. The MDL-BV index, using both species and relative abundance markers, classified samples into three vaginal microbiome states. Testing this index on our samples, 491 were BV-positive, 318 were BV-negative, and 137 were transitional BV. Although important differences in BV status were observed between different age groups, races, and pregnancy status, they were statistically insignificant. ConclusionUsing a diverse and large number of vaginal samples from different races and age groups, including pregnant women, the new qRT-PCR test and MDL-BV index efficiently diagnosed BV within 8 hours (from sample reception), using 22 BV-associated species. Lay summary/Importance/SignificanceBacterial vaginosis (BV) affects nearly 30% of women between 14 - 49 years old, increasing the risk and complications of endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, pre-term births and low-birth weights, STIs, and cervicitis. Notwithstanding, BVs diagnosis and etiology remain elusive. Not all BV-causing bacteria can be seen under a microscope or grown in a laboratory, making detection difficult. Moreover, current molecular BV diagnostic tests focus on a few signature species and thereby do not characterize the true state of the vaginal microbiome. Therefore, we designed a new Real-Time PCR test that identifies and quantifies 22 bacteria important in the prevention and development of BV. The data obtained from this test were further used to design and test a model that can easily use the relative abundance of the 22 species in any given vaginal sample to diagnose its BV status: all within 8 hours (from sample reception). The expansion of the bacterial spectrum in our new test enhances its resolution and broadens its diagnostic capacity to reduce false diagnoses and improve therapy.

microbiology↗