The Vaginal Microbiome in Women of Reproductive Age with Healthy Weight versus Overweight/Obesity

Allen, N. G.; Edupuganti, L.; Edwards, D. J.; Jimenez, N. R.; Buck, G. A.; Jefferson, K. K.; Strauss, J. F.; Vaginal Microbiome Consortium,; Wickham, E. P.; Fettweis, J. M.

doi:10.1101/2021.03.18.435996

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.03.18.435996

The Vaginal Microbiome in Women of Reproductive Age with Healthy Weight versus Overweight/Obesity

Allen, N. G.·Edupuganti, L.·Edwards, D. J.·Jimenez, N. R.·Buck, G. A.·Jefferson, K. K.·Strauss, J. F.·Vaginal Microbiome Consortium,·Wickham, E. P.·Fettweis, J. M.

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Abstract

ObjectiveEvaluate differences between the vaginal microbiome of reproductive-aged women with overweight and obesity (Ow/Ob) compared with healthy weight (HW). MethodsA cohort of 367 non-pregnant women (18-40 years) with Ow/Ob (body mass index [BMI] [≥]25 kg/m2) was case-matched with 367 women with HW (BMI 18.0-24.9 kg/m2). The study was a secondary analysis of 16S rRNA vaginal microbiome surveys through the Vaginal Human Microbiome Study (VaHMP). Groups were matched on age, race/ethnicity, income, and nulliparity status. ResultsMean age and BMI of Ow/Ob and HW groups were 26.8 versus 26.7 years and 37.0 versus 22.1 kg/m2, respectively. The overall vaginal microbiome composition differed between groups (PERMANOVA, p=0.035). Women with Ow/Ob had higher alpha-diversity compared with women with HW (Wilcoxon test, Shannon index p=0.025; Inverse Simpson index p=0.026). Lactobacillus dominance ([≥]30% proportional abundance) was observed in a greater proportion of women with HW (48.7%) compared with Ow/Ob (40.1%; p=0.026). ConclusionsThe vaginal microbiome differs in reproductive-aged women with Ow/Ob compared with women with HW, with increased alpha-diversity and decreased predominance of Lactobacillus. Observed differences in vaginal microbiome may partially explain differences in preterm birth and bacterial vaginosis risk between these populations.

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Allen, N. G., Edupuganti, L., Edwards, D. J., Jimenez, N. R., Buck, G. A., Jefferson, K. K., Strauss, J. F., Vaginal Microbiome Consortium,, Wickham, E. P., Fettweis, J. M.. 2021-03-18. The Vaginal Microbiome in Women of Reproductive Age with Healthy Weight versus Overweight/Obesity. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.03.18.435996

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