Background

It is well-known that pregnancy outcomes and women’s health can be impacted by and dependent on the resident vaginal microbiome. The vaginal microbiome is constituted by a delicate and dynamic network of various microbes in different quantities and ratios. Probiotic activity is expressed not only by individual Lactobacillus species but also by its multi-microbial interaction. However, the probiotic activity promoted by multi-microbial consortia is still unknown. In addition, other interactions between microorganisms and microbe-host cells can either protect the vaginal epithelium or lead to different types of vaginal dysbiosis. Furthermore, biofilms represent the predominant mode of microbial growth in nature as well as infectious disease. These complex microbial-mediated and biofilm-mediated interactions may also affect the course of the host immune system and the severity of the reproductive health outcomes in women leading to a public health problem.

Goal

Understanding these vaginal microbiome dynamics is the key to developing accurate diagnostics and novel treatments, avoiding biofilm-related resistance, and the elimination of commensal and probiotic bacteria (such as Lactobacillus species). When this Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota gets disrupted, the vaginal epithelium is less protected, and vaginal dysbiosis sets in. Due to the heterogeneity of species within polymicrobial infections and biofilms, it has been difficult to assess the relevance and contribution of individual species to pathogenesis and vaginal dysbiosis. In addition, it is well-known that biofilms show an increased resistance against conventional treatments and immune responses. Further studies should clarify microbes' abilities to adhere to the mucosal surface, aggregate with other microbes, and develop multispecies biofilms.

Scope

The aim of the present Research Topic is therefore to explore the multifactorial aspects that modulate vaginal dysbiosis and biofilm development and its outcomes. We welcome manuscript submissions on the following themes:

• aetiologies of vaginal dysbiosis and biofilms
• evolution of single or multispecies biofilms in the vaginal epithelium
• evaluation of the dynamic polymicrobial interactions and biofilm cycle life in the vaginal microenvironment
• interaction of microorganisms from vaginal dysbiosis and biofilms with host cells
• disruption of Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota by pathogenic or opportunistic microorganisms
• role of probiotic lactobacilli and their compounds against vaginal biofilms
• characterization of the antimicrobial resistance acquired in vaginal biofilms
• dispersion or detachment mechanisms of vaginal biofilms.

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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

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