Claassen-Weitz Shantelle, Kullin Brian, du Toit Elloise, Gardner-Lubbe Sugnet, Passmore Jo-Ann S, Jaspan Heather, Happel Anna-Ursula, Bellairs Greg, Hilton Caroline, Chicken Anika, Welp Kirsten, Livingstone Hannah, Brink Adrian
Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Front Reprod Health. 2024 Nov 27;6:1446809. doi: 10.3389/frph.2024.1446809. eCollection 2024.
Depletion of species and an overgrowth of anaerobes in the vaginal tract bacterial vaginosis (BV)], is associated with non-optimal reproductive health outcomes, and increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). BV is currently treated with antibiotics, although these provide suboptimal cure levels and high recurrence rates. Vaginal microbiota transplantation (VMT), the transfer of vaginal fluid from healthy donors with an optimal vaginal microbiota to a recipient with BV, has been proposed as an alternative treatment strategy.
Here, we investigated knowledge and perceptions of blood donors to the concept of an optimal vaginal microbiome and VMT via the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) clinics in Cape Town, South Africa, by a self-administered questionnaire.
RESULTS & DISCUSSION: Analysis of responses from 106 eligible women showed that 86% (91/106) would consider donating samples. Responses significantly associated with willingness to donate vaginal samples included: (1) belief that helping others outweighs the inconvenience of donating vaginal sample ( = 1.093e) and (2) prior knowledge of the concept of a healthy vaginal microbiome ( = 0.001). Most potential donors (59/91; 65%) were willing to receive a VMT themselves if needed. Participants who were unwilling to donate vaginal samples (15/106; 14%) indicated that vaginal sample collection would be unpleasant and/or embarrassing. The benefits of a collaboration with WCBS for this project include the naturally altruistic nature of blood donors, the constant in-flow of donors to WCBS clinics, and the infrastructure and logistical aspects in place. Data from this observational study highlight factors affecting the willingness of blood donors to become vaginal sample donors.
阴道微生物群的种类减少以及厌氧菌过度生长（细菌性阴道病[BV]）与不良的生殖健康结果相关，并且增加了性传播感染（STIs）的易感性。尽管目前治疗BV使用抗生素，但这些治疗的治愈率不理想且复发率高。阴道微生物群移植（VMT），即将具有最佳阴道微生物群的健康供体的阴道液转移到患有BV的受体，已被提议作为一种替代治疗策略。
在此，我们通过自我管理问卷，调查了南非开普敦西开普血液服务中心（WCBS）诊所的献血者对最佳阴道微生物群和VMT概念的了解和看法。
对106名符合条件的女性的回答进行分析表明，86%（91/106）会考虑捐赠样本。与愿意捐赠阴道样本显著相关的回答包括：（1）认为帮助他人比捐赠阴道样本带来的不便更重要（=1.093e）以及（2）对健康阴道微生物群概念的先验知识（=0.001）。大多数潜在捐赠者（59/91；65%）表示如果需要，自己愿意接受VMT。不愿意捐赠阴道样本的参与者（15/106；14%）表示阴道样本采集会令人不愉快和/或尴尬。与WCBS合作开展该项目的好处包括献血者天生的利他主义性质、WCBS诊所源源不断的献血者流入以及现有的基础设施和后勤方面。这项观察性研究的数据突出了影响献血者成为阴道样本捐赠者意愿的因素。
