Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Distinguish University, Professor School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Permian Basin, Odessa, TX.
J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2022 Jan 1;26(1):73-78. doi: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000643.
This series of articles, titled The Vaginal Microbiome, written on behalf of the International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease, aims to summarize the current findings and understanding of the vaginal bacterial microbiota, mainly regarding areas relevant to clinicians specializing in vulvovaginal disorders.
A database search of PubMed was performed, using the search terms "vaginal microbiome" (VMB) with "research," "normal," "neonate," "puberty," "adolescent," "menopause," and "ethnicities," as well as "human microbiome project." Full article texts were reviewed. Reference lists were screened for additional articles.
In the last 2 decades, many studies applying molecular techniques were performed, intending to characterize the vaginal microbiota. These studies advanced our understanding of how vaginal health is defined. The first article in this series focuses on the advancement of VMB research, technical definitions, the definition of "normal" VMB, and the dynamics of VMB throughout women's lives.
Understanding how microorganisms inhabiting the vagina interact with each other and with the host is important for a more complete understanding of vaginal health. The clinical application of microbial community sequencing is in its beginning, and its interpretation regarding practical clinical aspects is yet to be determined.
本系列文章题为《阴道微生物组》，代表国际外阴阴道疾病学会撰写，旨在总结目前对阴道细菌微生物群的研究结果和认识，主要针对专门研究外阴阴道疾病的临床医生相关的领域。
通过使用“阴道微生物组（VMB）”与“研究”、“正常”、“新生儿”、“青春期”、“青少年”、“绝经期”和“种族”以及“人类微生物组计划”等术语，对 PubMed 数据库进行了检索。查阅全文，并对参考文献列表进行了筛选，以查找其他文章。
在过去的 20 年中，许多应用分子技术的研究旨在对阴道微生物群进行了特征描述，这些研究推进了我们对阴道健康的定义的认识。本系列文章的第一篇重点介绍了 VMB 研究的进展、技术定义、“正常”VMB 的定义以及 VMB 在女性一生中的动态变化。
了解阴道内微生物如何相互作用以及与宿主相互作用对于更全面地了解阴道健康很重要。微生物群落测序的临床应用才刚刚开始，其对实际临床方面的解释还有待确定。
