Describe two pathologies that can result from a dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome and describe how you could differentiae them. What factors can lead to dysbiosis?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Bacterial vaginosis is a polymicrobial condition that is best defined as an absence of Lactobacillus in the vaginal microbiota. The reduction of lactobacilli is accompanied by an increase in anaerobic species such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteroides species, Mobiluncus species, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma hominis. Bacterial vaginosis can be diagnosed based on three out of four signs of Amsel's criteria including greyish-white vaginal discharge of uniform texture, an increase in vaginal pH above 4.5, presence of clue cells, and a positive whiff test. Gram-staining vaginal secretions confirms diagnosis. Bacterial vaginosis may increase the risk of pre-term labor in pregnant women. Vulvovaginal candidiasis, or vaginal yeast infection, is a fungal infection which occurs due to dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome. The causative organism is Candida albicans. Signs and symptoms include vaginal itching, burning, pain, and a white "cottage cheese" discharge indicate a vaginal yeast infection. Vaginal yeast infections seemed to be triggered when C. albicans switches from the typical unicellular yeast form to a hyphal form. Dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome is often caused by antibiotic therapy which wipes out the prominent lactobacilli species, allowing other species to become dominant. Hormonal changes, douching, or even bacteriophage introduced from a sexual partner's microbiome may also cause vaginal dysbiosis.