Evaluation of DNA extraction protocols from liquid-based cytology specimens for studying cervical microbiota

Cervical microbiota (CM) have been considered an important factor affecting the progress of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and the presence of HPV. We investigated the feasibility of LBC samples, which are commonly used for the storage of cervical cytology and HPV genotyping, for use in CM surveys by amplicon sequencing. Here we assess four commercially available DNA extraction kits (ZymoBIOMICS DNA Miniprep Kit, QIAamp PowerFecal Pro DNA Kit, QIAamp DNA Mini Kit, and IndiSpin Pathogen Kit) and their ability to capture the diversity of CM from LBC samples.