(Article) Viral transformations in the female genital tract can spell trouble for women’s health
In a new study, Efrem Lim and his colleagues examine an often-overlooked subset of the vaginal microbiome -- the viruses. Lim is a researcher with the ASU Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, and an assistant professor at the ASU School of Life Sciences.
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. In 2020, more than 600,000 cases and 340,000 deaths were reported worldwide. In addition to infection with the HPV virus, known risk factors for cervical cancer include immunodeficiency, smoking and oral contraceptive use.
"Microbes maintain a delicate balance in our body to promote health," Lim says. "Viruses can tip the scale towards a worse health outcome."
The results highlight an association between genital inflammation and low abundance of the bacterial species Lactobacillus with reduction in virome diversity. Lactobacillus bacteria are known to be important mediators of genital health. Further, conditions conducive to persistent HPV infection were also associated with the abundance of a group of viruses that infect bacteria -- known as bacteriophages.
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@comfortableNight4463
Cool info. The great thing, there is HPV vaccine. The bad thing, more and more people are anitivaccers.
@LostTurtle2 I'm glad you liked the article. I agree, HPV is quite preventable with the vaccine. I wish everyone was able to have access.