Abbas Nazish, Willmott Thomas, Campbell Paul M, Singh Gurdeep, Basu Maya, Reid Fiona, McBain Andrew J
Division of Developmental Biology & Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Warrell Unit, Saint Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Appl Environ Microbiol. 2025 Jul 23;91(7):e0246324. doi: 10.1128/aem.02463-24. Epub 2025 Jun 23.
Midurethral slings are widely used in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. However, little is known about the microbiomes that develop on these implants, their relationship to the urinary and vaginal microbiomes, or their potential role in mesh-related complications. In this study, we characterized the microbiomes of explanted midurethral slings and examined associations with clinical complications. Seventy-four women provided a total of 397 samples, including explanted mesh, urine, and swabs from the vagina and groin or suprapubic skin. Participants were categorized into clinical groups: chronic pain, vaginal mesh exposure, lower urinary tract perforation, or recurrent incontinence (control group). Samples underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The mesh microbiome was dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, with particularly abundant. Microbial diversity was significantly higher in mesh samples compared to vaginal and skin swabs, but not urine. The mesh microbiome was compositionally distinct from the urinary, vaginal, and skin microbiomes, potentially reflecting vaginal microbiome alterations due to urinary incontinence at the time of implantation. Differences in microbial diversity in mesh and skin samples among women with pain suggest a possible microbial contribution to mesh complications. These findings demonstrate the presence of distinct, site-specific microbial communities on explanted midurethral slings, with potential implications for understanding mesh-related complications.IMPORTANCEStress urinary incontinence commonly affects women, and effective treatment is essential. Midurethral mesh slings have provided effective relief; however, long-term complications such as chronic pain, vaginal mesh exposure, and lower urinary tract perforation have emerged. The pathophysiology of these complications is not well understood but is thought to involve a heightened inflammatory response to mesh implants. The local microbiome may contribute to this inflammation. We have shown that the mesh samples harbored a distinct microbiome and that differences in microbial composition may be associated with mesh complications. Understanding the role of specific bacteria in modulating host responses may offer new insights into the pathogenesis of mesh complications and inform future clinical approaches.
中段尿道吊带广泛应用于女性压力性尿失禁的治疗。然而,对于这些植入物上形成的微生物群落、它们与泌尿和阴道微生物群落的关系,以及它们在与网片相关并发症中的潜在作用,我们知之甚少。在本研究中,我们对取出的中段尿道吊带的微生物群落进行了特征分析,并研究了其与临床并发症的关联。74名女性共提供了397份样本,包括取出的网片、尿液,以及来自阴道、腹股沟或耻骨上皮肤的拭子。参与者被分为临床组:慢性疼痛、阴道网片外露、下尿路穿孔或复发性尿失禁(对照组)。样本进行了16S rRNA基因测序。网片微生物群落以厚壁菌门、变形菌门和放线菌门为主,其中 特别丰富。与阴道和皮肤拭子相比,网片样本中的微生物多样性显著更高,但与尿液样本相比无显著差异。网片微生物群落在组成上与泌尿、阴道和皮肤微生物群落不同,这可能反映了植入时因尿失禁导致的阴道微生物群落改变。有疼痛的女性中网片和皮肤样本的微生物多样性差异表明,微生物可能对网片并发症有影响。这些发现表明,取出的中段尿道吊带上存在独特的、位点特异性的微生物群落,这对于理解与网片相关的并发症具有潜在意义。重要性压力性尿失禁常见于女性,有效治疗至关重要。中段尿道网片吊带提供了有效的缓解;然而,诸如慢性疼痛、阴道网片外露和下尿路穿孔等长期并发症已经出现。这些并发症的病理生理学尚未完全了解,但被认为涉及对网片植入物的炎症反应增强。局部微生物群落可能促成了这种炎症。我们已经表明,网片样本中存在独特的微生物群落,并且微生物组成的差异可能与网片并发症有关。了解特定细菌在调节宿主反应中的作用,可能为网片并发症的发病机制提供新的见解,并为未来的临床方法提供参考。