Next-Generation Sequencing as a Tool to Detect Vaginal Microbiota Disturbances during Pregnancy.

The physiological microbiota of the vagina is responsible for providing a protective barrier, but Some factors can disturb the balance in its composition. At that time, the amounts of the genus decrease, which may lead to the development of infection and severe complications during pregnancy. The aim of the study was the analysis of the bacterial composition of the vagina in 32 Caucasian women at each trimester of pregnancy using the next-generation sequencing method and primers targeting V3-V4 regions. In the studied group, the dominant species were and . Statistically significant differences in the quantitative composition between trimesters were observed in relation to , , spp. Out of the 32 patients, 20 demonstrated fluctuations within the genus and 9 of them, at different stages of pregnancy, exhibited the presence of potentially pathogenic microbiota, among others: spp., , and The composition of the vaginal microbiota during pregnancy was subject to partial changes over trimesters. Although in one-third of the studied patients, both the qualitative and quantitative composition of microbiota was relatively constant, in the remaining patients, physiological and potentially pathogenic fluctuations were distinguished.