More and more studies are known that reveal the close relationship between the composition of the intestinal microbiome and certain pathologies as diverse as allergies, obesity or mental illness. Is it to be expected then that other sets of microbiomes present in the body can influence the development or prevention of some diseases?
In this regard, one of the areas with the highest expectations in this field of microbiological research is undoubtedly the vaginal microbiome .
In this entry we will summarize the importance of the vaginal microbiome in the correct functioning of the organism, and we will analyze one of the most critical factors when carrying out a study of this microbial community: the correct collection and stabilization of the samples .
The microorganisms that inhabit the vaginal cavity represent a first line of defense in the female reproductive tract against the invasion of pathogenic organisms, mainly through three mechanisms:
The major microorganism in the composition of the vaginal microbiome is Lactobacillus spp ., And there is evidence that when it is found in deficit amounts, the risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (HIV, HPV, etc.), preterm delivery increases. term, spontaneous abortion, bacterial vaginosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, among others.
But although the protective role played by the vaginal microbiota as a whole is known, there is still much to investigate to establish the conditions that define a healthy vaginal microbiome, its possible links with certain pathological states and its potential manipulation for therapeutic purposes.
One of the main challenges when carrying out a vaginal microbiome study is the collection and preservation of stable samples . Especially in those cases in which the samples cannot be processed immediately, ensuring that the composition of the microbiome in the sample remains stable until the moment of its analysis is of vital importance.
The characteristics that a good vaginal microbiome sample collection system must have can be summarized as:
In order to combine all these characteristics in a single device, the Canadian company DNA Genotek has developed the OMNIgene · VAGINAL kit . This device is validated for the collection and stabilization of DNA and microbial RNA for the study of the vaginal microbiome . Some of its most relevant advantages are: