Clostridiales genomosp. BVAB1 Genome sequencing and assembly

Bacterial Vaginosis Associated Bacteria 1 (BVAB1) is an as-yet uncultured bacterial species found in the human vagina that belongs to the family Lachnospiraceae within the order Clostridiales, and as its name suggests, is often associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). In reproductive health, BV is of concern due to its associated risk for HIV, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae acquisition as well as preterm birth. BVAB1 has been shown to be associated with BV persistence after metronidazole treatment and increased vaginal inflammation, as well as conferring a higher risk of puerperal infections. To date, no complete genome of BVAB1 is available, which has made it difficult to understand its disease-associated features. We present here a comparative analysis including a complete genome and six metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of BVAB1 derived from cervicovaginal samples of seven separate women. The complete genome was obtained from a metagenome sequenced with long-read technology on a PacBio Sequel II instrument while the others were derived from metagenomes sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq platform. The complete genome is 1.649 Mb long and encodes 1,578 genes. We propose to rename BVAB1 to “Candidatus Lachnocurva vaginae” based on phylogenetic analysis, and provide genomic evidence that this candidate species may metabolize D-lactate, produce trimethylamine (the chemical responsible for BV-associated odor), and be motile. The complete genome and assembled MAGs will be valuable resources contributing to our understanding of the heterogenous etiology of bacterial vaginosis.