Species diversity of vaginal lactobacilli in norm and in dysbiotic states

Introduction. In healthy women of reproductive age, the vaginal microflora is represented mainly by lactobacilli. They provide a barrier function, preventing the propagation of opportunistic pathogens and the colonization of the vagina by pathogenic microorganisms. It is shown that the lactobacillary microflora of the vagina is very diverse, but not all species of lactobacilli can provide reliable protection of the female organism. Objective: to characterize the species and quantitative composition of vaginal lactobacilli of women of reproductive age in norm and in dysbiosis. Material and methods. The study involved 123 patients from polyclinic departments of the D.O. Ott Reasearch Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductology. For analysis of clinical material (vaginal discharge) for lactobacilli and other microorganisms, quantitative real-time PCR was used. Results. The most common types of lactobacilli are Lactobacillus jensenii, L. Iners, L. crispatus, L. vaginalis and L. gasseri. Species diversity of lactobacilli (detection of ≥2 species) is observed much more often in women with physiological microbiocenosis than in women with vaginal dysbiosis. Our study confirms that L. crispatus is the dominant species of the vaginal biotope of healthy women, while in dysbiosis the species L. gasseri and L. Iners are most often identified.