The role of cervicovaginal microbiota in the occurrence of severe cervical intraepithelial dysplasia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of visual examination of the cervix, cervical screening in Russia has not been widespread enough, and therefore the incidence of cervical cancer remains consistently high. In recent years, the vaginal microbiota is given special attention as a risk factor for the development of precancerous diseases of the cervix. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the cervicovaginal microbiota in patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) or negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancy (NILM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microorganisms isolated from the cervicovaginal microbiota were identified in 40 patients using the mass spectrometry method. 20 women had severe cervical dysplasia, and the other 20 were healthy women without precancerous cervical lesions. RESULTS: Corynebacterium spp. and Streptococcus spp. were found more often in the cervicovaginal microbiome in patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions than in women negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained suggest that the presence of Corynebacterium spp. and Streptococcus spp. in the cervicovaginal microbiota is associated with the presence of severe cervical intraepithelial changes.