Bacterial vaginosis and HPV-related cervical lesions

Abstract

Shift in the vaginal microbiotafrom the predominant Lactobacillus spp. to the abundance of anaerobic bacteria is quite common among women of reproductive ages,approximately 40–80% of them report no complaints. However bacterial vaginosis (BV) is strongly associated with increased host susceptibility to STI (hrHPV included). Gardnerella Vaginalis (GV) might pave the way for STI causing epithelial cell (EC) damage and shedding, suppressing leukocyte recruitment, thereby leaving underlying mucosal tissue exposed to potential pathogens. Pushing regrowth of EC layers GV may make HPV-infected EC liable for persistent HPV dwelling there and than trigger viral DNA incorporation into host genome and launch neoplastic transformation. GV is a powerful biofilm-producer therefore BV often remains recalcitrant to treatment. Another input to recurrent BV can be made by host genetic variation in stress-related genes and smoking.The study examined the rate of BV among HPV-infected women with LSIL and HSIL (separately).