Therapeutic Opportunities in the Vaginal Microbiome
- Author: Gregor Reid1
- Editors: Robert Allen Britton2, Patrice D. Cani3
-
VIEW AFFILIATIONS HIDE AFFILIATIONSAffiliations: 1: Lawson Health Research Institute and Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; 2: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; 3: Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
-
Received 09 December 2016 Accepted 01 January 2017 Published 09 June 2017
- Correspondence: Gregor Reid, [email protected]
2017_sml.jpg)
-
Abstract:
The reproductive tract of females lies at the core of humanity. The immensely complex process that leads to successful reproduction is miraculous yet invariably successful. Microorganisms have always been a cause for concern for their ability to infect this region, yet it is other, nonpathogenic microbial constituents now uncovered by sequencing technologies that offer hope for improving health. The universality of Lactobacillus species being associated with health is the basis for therapeutic opportunities, including through engineered strains. The manipulation of these and other beneficial constituents of the microbiota and their functionality, as well as their metabolites, forms the basis for new diagnostics and interventions. Within 20 years, we should see significant improvements in how cervicovaginal health is restored and maintained, thus providing relief to the countless women who suffer from microbiota-associated disorders.
-
Citation: Reid G. 2017. Therapeutic Opportunities in the Vaginal Microbiome. Microbiol Spectrum 5(3):BAD-0001-2016. doi:10.1128/microbiolspec.BAD-0001-2016.




Therapeutic Opportunities in the Vaginal Microbiome, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page | Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/microbiolspec/5/3/BAD-0001-2016-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/microbiolspec/5/3/BAD-0001-2016-2.gif

References

Article metrics loading...
Abstract:
The reproductive tract of females lies at the core of humanity. The immensely complex process that leads to successful reproduction is miraculous yet invariably successful. Microorganisms have always been a cause for concern for their ability to infect this region, yet it is other, nonpathogenic microbial constituents now uncovered by sequencing technologies that offer hope for improving health. The universality of Lactobacillus species being associated with health is the basis for therapeutic opportunities, including through engineered strains. The manipulation of these and other beneficial constituents of the microbiota and their functionality, as well as their metabolites, forms the basis for new diagnostics and interventions. Within 20 years, we should see significant improvements in how cervicovaginal health is restored and maintained, thus providing relief to the countless women who suffer from microbiota-associated disorders.

Full text loading...
Figures

Click to view
FIGURE 1a
Different mechanisms by which beneficial microbes might influence vaginal health.

Click to view
FIGURE 1b
Different mechanisms by which beneficial microbes might influence vaginal health.
Supplemental Material
No supplementary material available for this content.