Investigating Bacterial Vaginosis Pathogenesis Using Peptide Nucleic Acid-Fluorescence <i>In Situ</i> Hybridization With a Focus on the Roles of <i>Gardnerella</i> Species, <i>Prevotella bivia</i>, and <i>Fannyhessea vaginae</i>.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a vaginal dysbiosis characterized by polymicrobial communities of BV-associated bacteria (BVAB) adhered to the vaginal epithelium. Despite decades of research, its etiology remains unknown. We aimed to investigate BV biofilm formation over time among women who developed incident BV (iBV) using peptide nucleic acid-fluorescence in situ hybridization (PNA-FISH), focusing on 3 key BVAB (Gardnerella species, Prevotella bivia, and Fannyhessea vaginae).

Methods

Heterosexual, nonpregnant women ages 18-45 with optimal vaginal microbiota were enrolled to self-collect twice-daily vaginal specimens for 60 days. iBV was defined as a Nugent score of 7-10 on ≥4 consecutive specimens. For women who developed iBV (cases),

SUBMITTER: George SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12448832 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature