Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago have found that bacterial vaginosis (BV) related bacteria present in men’s penile microbiome can be used to predict BV incidence in female partners. Their results were published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.
"Antibiotic treatment of BV has limited long-term success, with up to 50% of women having recurrence within 6 months, so we need more effective approaches to treatment. Male sex partner treatment may be a new strategy," says first author Supriya D. Mehta.
In order to study the relationship between penile microbiota and BV onset, the team followed 168 Kenyan heterosexual couples and studied their genital bacterial composition for twelve months. Over the course of the study, more than 31% of the women developed BV. While the microbiota composition varied from man to man, their analysis showed a direct correlation between the composition of man’s penile microbiota and the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis in his partner.
Through machine learning algorithms, the team identified 10 BV-related bacteria, which could be used to predict the occurrence of BV in their partners. Future research would help understand how exactly penile microbiota is related to BV. Specifically, looking at whether BV-associated bacteria are transmitted to the vagina during sexual intercourse, or if the penile microbiota perturbs the natural balance of the vaginal microbiome, therefore inducing BV.
"I would like for clinicians, researchers, and the public to be inclusive of male sex partners in their efforts to improve women's reproductive health. Not to place directionality or blame on one partner or another, but to increase the options and opportunity for improved reproductive health, and hopefully reduce stigma from BV," says Mehta.