Open Access<p>Vaginal Microbiota and HPV Infection: Novel Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Strategies</p>
Author(s) -
Yuanyue Li,
Tao Yu,
Huimin Yan,
Duanduan Li,
Yu Tao,
Tao Yuan,
Abdul Rahaman,
Shahid Ali,
Farhat Abbas,
Ziqin Dian,
Xiaomei Wu,
Zulqarnain Baloch
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
infection and drug resistance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.033
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 1178-6973
DOI - 10.2147/idr.s210615
Subject(s) - vaginal infections , medicine , biology , obstetrics
Cervical cancer is a global public health concern. The complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors is critical for the progress of cervical cancer. Growing evidence suggests that microbes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and the immune system interact closely with each other to govern homeostasis of the vaginal environment and the health of the lower genital tract of females. Certain vaginal microbial strains may play either a protective or a pathogenic role in carcinogenesis of the cervix after HPV persistent infection. Probiotics can therefore present a putative therapeutic approach for cervical cancer. However, work in this field remains limited. Recent technological developments have allowed us to identify microbes and their products using culture-independent molecular detection techniques. In this review, we discuss the composition of the vaginal bacterial community, its commensal flora and the protective impact this has on the health of the female genital tract. This review will also describe critical immune factors in lower genital tract health and summarize the role of the vaginal microbiota in cervical carcinogenesis. Knowledge in this field has provided researchers with the clues and tools to propose the use of probiotics as a potential line of treatment for cervical cancer and has provided valuable insights into host-pathogen interaction dynamics within the female genital tract.