Clinical indicators and reproductive tract microbiota abnormalities indicate the occurrence of endometriosis

Abstract

Abstract Endometriosis is an inflammation-associated disease, primarily but not always associated with abnormal immune system function and expression of immune factors. The microbiota of the female reproductive tract, including the vagina and cervix, plays a crucial role in health and disease. The immune dysregulation caused by the imbalance of reproductive tract microbiota may contribute to endometriosis. In this study, 35 women was recruited, including 17 women with endometriosis and 18 healthy women, while their general clinical data, cervical secretions and vaginal secretions were collected. High-throughput sequencing technology was performed to analyze the cervical and vaginal microbiota. We found that patients with endometriosis have unique vaginal and cervical microbiota. Romboutsia, Ruminococcus, Phascolarctobacterium, and Olsenella in the reproductive tract had significant positive correlation with the visual analogue scale index for endometriosis, while Mobiluncus displayed a significant negative correlation with the visual analogue scale index, and Lactobacillus showed a significant negative correlation with the thyroid peroxidase antibody index. These clinical and microbiological indicators might be associated with endometriosis, and this study has clinical significance for the detection and prevention of endometriosis.