Objectives
Many studies have described the healthy vaginal microbiome. However, the effect of HIV infection on the vaginal microbiome is less well-understood. HIV+ women are known to be at greater risk of acquisition of STIs, and have higher rates of bacterial vaginosis (BV). The goal of this study was to characterize the similarities and differences between the vaginal microbiome in HIV+ and HIV- women.
Methods
Women attending a clinic for routine HIV and gynaecologic care were invited to enroll and were compared to HIV- controls enrolled in a separate arm of the VoGUE study. Demographic/clinical information was collected. Vaginal Gram-stains were assessed using Nugent scoring. The microbiome was evaluated based on amplification and pyrosequencing of the cpn60 universal target region, and the classification of microbiome profiles into community state types.
Methods
Women attending a clinic for routine HIV and gynaecologic care were invited to enroll and were compared to HIV- controls enrolled in a separate arm of the VoGUE study. Demographic/clinical information was collected. Vaginal Gram-stains were assessed using Nugent scoring. The microbiome was evaluated based on amplification and pyrosequencing of the cpn60 universal target region, and the classification of microbiome profiles into community state types.
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