Romeo Marcello, D'Urso Fabiana, Ciccarese Giulia, Di Gaudio Francesca, Broccolo Francesco
Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Department of Experimental Medicine (DiMeS), University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
Microorganisms. 2024 Aug 7;12(8):1614. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms12081614.
The vaginal microbiota (VMB) plays a crucial role in women's health from puberty to menopause. Traditional studies have focused on the microorganisms present within the vaginal environment and their roles in disease onset. However, the dynamic relationship between the VMB and its host remains underexplored. Common narratives emphasize the presence of spp. as an indicator of vaginal health, yet this does not fully explain the occurrence of asymptomatic yet significant dysbiosis. Moreover, a wide array of bacterial types can inhabit the vaginal environment, suggesting that probiotic could offer a natural, safe solution for balancing vaginal microbiota. This review examines the current literature on VMB, key factors affecting its composition, and the changes it undergoes during different life stages. Given the health-promoting potential of probiotics, we also examine their role in maintaining a healthy VMB and overall women's health throughout life.
阴道微生物群（VMB）在女性从青春期到更年期的健康中起着至关重要的作用。传统研究主要关注阴道环境中存在的微生物及其在疾病发生中的作用。然而，VMB与其宿主之间的动态关系仍未得到充分探索。常见的说法强调某种菌的存在是阴道健康的指标，但这并不能完全解释无症状但显著的生态失调的发生。此外，多种细菌类型可存在于阴道环境中，这表明益生菌可能为平衡阴道微生物群提供一种天然、安全的解决方案。本综述考察了关于VMB的当前文献、影响其组成的关键因素以及它在不同生命阶段所经历的变化。鉴于益生菌的健康促进潜力，我们还考察了它们在维持一生健康的VMB和整体女性健康方面的作用。
