Editorial: Vaginal dysbiosis and biofilms

Abstract

The vaginal microbiota is made up of a diversity of microorganisms (Pacha-Herrera et al.; When this balanced microbiota gets disrupted, the vaginal epithelium is less protected, and vaginal dysbiosis can succeed (Figure It is characterized by a shift in microbial communities that include a progressive replacement of certain Lactobacillus species by pathogenic/opportunistic microorganisms This microbial shift can lead to bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), aerobic vaginitis (AV), among others. These vaginal dysbioses are characterized by an overgrowth of multiple pathogens and promoting mixed infections. Another fact is the ability of certain pathogens to develop biofilms Biofilms represent the predominant mode of microbial growth in nature, leading to important public health problems, as infections and negative interactions affecting the host immune system and the reproductive health outcomes in women Vaginal dysbiosis is also associated with an increased risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Herpes simplex type 2, and other sexually transmitted infections, as Chlamydia Understanding these vaginal microbiota dynamics is the key to developing accurate diagnostics and novel treatments. Due to the heterogeneity of species within biofilms, it has been difficult to assess the relevance of individual species to the pathogenesis of vaginal dysbiosis.

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