Premium
Metabolomics as a clinical testing method for the diagnosis of vaginal dysbiosis
Author(s) -
Watson Emiley,
Reid Gregor
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12979
Subject(s) - bacterial vaginosis , dysbiosis , metabolomics , false positive paradox , vaginal flora , medicine , antibiotics , vaginal infections , intensive care medicine , bioinformatics , biology , microbiome , obstetrics , microbiology and biotechnology , computer science , machine learning
Microbes play an important role in vaginal health, with lactobacilli a particularly abundant species. When dysbiosis occurs, the tools to determine whether it is a condition such as bacterial vaginosis, and whether it warrants antibiotic treatment, are currently suboptimal. We propose that standardization and implementation of an affordable metabolomics‐based diagnostic technique could reduce instances of false positives, stress associated with misdiagnosis, and potentially save time and money. Basing diagnosis on the detection of pH elevated above 4.5 and specific polyamines could provide a better method to assist a physician determine whether treatment is warranted.