Virome sequencing female reproductive tract from HIV-HPV study

The female reproductive tract (FRT) microbiome plays an important role in maintaining vaginal health. Low diversity, Lactobacillus-dominant bacterial communities (bacteriomes) help prevent urogenital diseases including bacterial vaginosis (BV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV, while diverse FRT bacteriomes have been linked to increased inflammation and STI transmission. Viruses play a key role in regulating other microbial ecosystems, but little is known about how the FRT viruses (virome), particularly bacteriophages, affect FRT health and dysbiosis. An improved understanding of transkingdom interactions in the FRT is crucial to discerning and treating disease processes in this important environment. We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal analysis of vaginal swabs collected twice yearly between October 2012 and October 2014 from 54 BV-positive and 46 BV-negative, sexually active young women ages 16-21 in Cape Town, South Africa.