Abstract
Dysbiosis in the genital tract or gut microbiome can be associated with endometriosis. We sampled vaginal, cervical and gut microbiota from 14 women with histology proven stage 3/4 endometriosis and 14 healthy controls. The V3 and V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were amplified following the 16S Metagenomic Sequencing Library Preparation. Despite overall similar vaginal, cervical and intestinal microbiota composition between stage 3/4 endometriosis group and controls, we observed differences at genus level. The complete absence of Atopobium in the vaginal and cervical microbiota of the stage 3/4 endometriosis group was noteworthy. In the cervical microbiota, Gardnerella, Streptococcus, Escherichia, Shigella, and Ureoplasma, all of which contain potentially pathogenic species, were increased in stage 3/4 endometriosis. More women in the stage 3/4 endometriosis group had Shigella/Escherichia dominant stool microbiome. Further studies can clarify whether the association is causal, and whether dysbiosis leads to endometriosis or endometriosis leads to dysbiosis.
Highlights
Seeding of viable endometrial cells to the pelvis by retrograde menstruation is the most plausible theory explaining pathogenesis of the condition[11]
Fourteen Caucasian women with endometriosis and 14 Caucasian healthy controls were included in the study
Vaginal, cervical and gut microbiota composition was similar between women with stage 3–4 endometriosis and controls
Summary
Seeding of viable endometrial cells to the pelvis by retrograde menstruation is the most plausible theory explaining pathogenesis of the condition[11]. The present study aimed to compare gut, vaginal and cervical microbiota between women with and without endometriosis. PCoA analysis shows that vaginal, cervical and gut microbiota composition was similar between the endometriosis group and controls (Fig. 1).
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