Endometriosis-specific vaginal microbiota

Endometriosis is a chronic systemic disease where tissue similar to uterine lining grows outside the uterus and affects approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women worldwide. Its aetiology is poorly understood, and cure is not available. Its development and persistence depend on several coexisting factors including the vaginal microbiota, although its role played in endometriosis and its systemic involvement is not fully understood. Here we investigated the vaginal microbiota.Endometriosis patients were typified by changes to the microbiota with a loss of the dominant Lactobacilli species, Lactobacillus iners and increased bacterial diversity and the presence of species such as Anaerococcus senegalensis, Prevotella jejuni, Porphyromonas bennonis and Anaerococcus octavius.Further investigation on microbiota identification and diversity typing in conjunction with host and clinical factors will refine diagnoses and understanding of the etiology of this enigmatic chronic disease