Vaginal DNA Virome of South African Adolescents

The aim of the parent study, UChoose, which is an open-label, randomized crossover study is to evaluate the feasibility of different hormonal contraception (HC) options among adolescents (clinicaltrials.gov/NCT02404038) in South Africa. The female participants that were recruited through a parent study, UChoose, were non-pregnant, HIV-seronegative, and aged 15 - 19. Genital tract samples were collected longitudinally every 4 months over 8 months, in a randomised study of injectable hormonal contraception (norethisterone enantate, NET-EN), combined contraceptive intravaginal ring (CCVR, NuvaRing; MSD Pty Ltd), or combined oral contraceptive pills (COC, Triphasil or Nordette).The aim of the current study is to identify associated DNA viruses in the sequenced samples of these female participants. This would give further insight as to how the different hormonal contraception methods impact on the vaginal DNA virome of these participants.