Consistent Condom Use Increases the Colonization of Lactobacillus crispatus in the Vagina

Liyan Ma,Jingjuan Wei,Jianrong Su,Zhi Lv,Jianjie Wang,Shuang Pei,Donghui Yan,Steven J Drews

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0070716

Liyan Ma, Jingjuan Wei + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070716

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Jul 23, 2013
Citations: 42	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Capital Medical University, Beijing Friendship Hospital

Abstract

BackgroundNon-hormonal contraception methods have been widely used, but their effects on colonization by vaginal lactobacilli remain unclear.ObjectiveTo determine the association between non-hormonal contraception methods and vaginal lactobacilli on women’s reproductive health.MethodsThe cross-sectional study included 164 healthy women between 18–45 years of age. The subjects were divided into different groups on the basis of the different non-hormonal contraception methods used by them. At the postmenstrual visit (day 21 or 22 of the menstrual cycle), vaginal swabs were collected for determination of Nugent score, quantitative culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of vaginal lactobacilli. The prevalence, colony counts and 16S rRNA gene expression of the Lactobacillus strains were compared between the different groups by Chi-square and ANOVA statistical analysis methods.ResultsA Nugent score of 0–3 was more common in the condom group (93.1%) than in the group that used an interuterine device(IUD) (75.4%), (p = 0.005). The prevalence of H2O2-producing Lactobacillus was significantly higher in the condom group (82.3%) than in the IUD group (68.2%), (p = 0.016). There was a significant difference in colony count (mean ± standard error (SE), log10colony forming unit (CFU)/ml) of H2O2-producing Lactobacillus between condom users (7.81±0.14) and IUD users (6.54±0.14), (p = 0.000). The 16S rRNA gene expression (mean ± SE, log10copies/ml) of Lactobacillus crispatus was significantly higher in the condom group (8.09±0.16) than in the IUD group (6.03±0.18), (p = 0.000).ConclusionConsistent condom use increases the colonization of Lactobacillus crispatus in the vagina and may protect against both bacterial vaginosis (BV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Highlights

To control the rapid population growth and prevent unintended pregnancy, China has been promoting non-hormonal contraception methods nationwide for more than forty years
Consistent condom use increases the colonization of Lactobacillus crispatus in the vagina and may protect against both bacterial vaginosis (BV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
The vaginal microecological environment in healthy woman is often dominated by lactobacilli, which is thought to play an important role in preventing bacterial vaginosis (BV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection via production of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) [2,3,4,5]

Summary

Introduction

To control the rapid population growth and prevent unintended pregnancy, China has been promoting non-hormonal contraception methods nationwide for more than forty years. The proportion of women who take contraceptive measures in China is high: 90% as reported in 2007. Of these 90%, more than half of them used non-hormonal contraception methods. Sexual activity has an adverse effect on protecting vaginal lactobacilli colonization, and the number of lactobacilli is an important index for evaluating the incidence of BV [6]. A better understanding of the effect of contraception methods on the vaginal lactobacilli may help to develop better prevention methods for BV and HIV. Non-hormonal contraception methods have been widely used, but their effects on colonization by vaginal lactobacilli remain unclear

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