Microorganisms

The microbiota of the respiratory tract remains a relatively poorly studied subject. At the same time, like the intestinal microbiota, it is involved in modulating the immune response to infectious agents in the host organism. A causal relationship between the composition of the respiratory microbiota and the likelihood of development and the severity of COVID-19 may be hypothesized. We analyze biomaterial from nasopharyngeal smears from 336 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, selected during the first and second waves of the epidemic in Russia. Sequences from a similar study conducted in Spain were also included in the analysis. We investigated associations between disease severity and microbiota at the level of microbial community (community types) and individual microbes (differentially represented species). To search for associations, we performed multivariate analysis, taking into account comorbidities, type of community and lineage of the virus. We found that two out of six community types are associated with a more severe course of the disease, and one of the community types is characterized by high stability (very similar microbiota profiles in different patients) and low level of lung damage. Differential abundance analysis with respect to comorbidities and community type suggested association of Rothia and Streptococcus genera representatives with more severe lung damage, and Leptotrichia, unclassified Lachnospiraceae and Prevotella with milder forms of the disease.

Group A streptococcal (GAS, aka Streptococcus pyogenes) meningitis is a fulminant disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the invasiveness of GAS in meningitis, we compared GAS isolates derived from five cases of meningitis, to otitis and colonizing isolates. We did not observe differences in adherence to and invasion of human brain microvascular endothelial cells, virulence factors activity or barrier disruption. Whole genome sequencing did not reveal particular invasiveness traits. Most patients previously suffered from otitis media suggesting that meningitis likely resulted from a continuous spread of the infection rather than being attributable to changes in pathogens virulence.

Tintenstrich communities (TC) are mainly composed by Cyanobacteria developing on the rock substrate and forming physical structures strictly connected to the rock itself. Endolithic and epilithic bacterial communities are important because they contribute to nutrients release within run-off waters flowing on the rock surface. Despite them being ubiquitous, little information about their ecology and main characteristics is available. In this paper, we characterized the bacterial communities of rock surfaces of TC in Switzerland through Illumina sequencing and investigated their bacterial community composition on two substrate types (silicious and limestone rocks) through multivariate models. Our results show that Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria are the predominant phyla in this environment. Bacterial alpha diversity was higher on limestone than on siliceous rock, and beta diversity of siliceous rock varied with changes in rock surface structure. Here we provide novel insights into the bacterial community composition of TC, their differences from other lithic communities, and the effects of the rock substrate and structure.

BackgroundStreptococcus pneumoniae is a nasopharynx coloniser that can invade sterile tissues, causing Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD). Dolosigranulum pigrum and Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum are commensal bacteria commonly isolated from the nasopharynx of healthy children, potentially playing a protective role. This study aims to analyse the effects of D. pigrum and C. pseudodiphtheriticum on S. pneumoniae in vitro growth. MethodsPneumococcal strains were collected from IPD patients and healthy carriers in Catalonia (2016-2023). D. pigrum and C. pseudodiphtheriticum strains were isolated from a healthy childs nasopharynx. S. pneumoniae was co-cultured with each commensal bacterium in triplicate experiments. Pneumococcal growth was quantified using a real-time PCR assay targeting the lytA gene. The effect of commensal bacteria on pneumococcal growth was evaluated using a linear mixed-effect regression model. ResultsTwenty-eight pneumococcal strains expressing 24 different serotypes and 26 clonal types were analysed (18 isolated in blood and 10 in nasopharyngeal aspirate). Pneumococcal growth was decreased by D. pigrum ({beta} = -0.763, 95% CI: -0.94 to -0.59, p < 0.0001) and C. pseudodiphtheriticum ({beta} = -0.583, 95% CI: -0.76 to -0.41, p < 0.0001). The combined presence of both had a stronger inhibitory effect ({beta} = -0.971, 95% CI: -1.15 to -0.79, p < 0.0001). No association was found between isolation site or serotype with pneumococcal growth. ConclusionD. pigrum and C. pseudodiphtheriticum significantly reduced pneumococcal growth, with a synergic effect when combined. This antagonistic effect supports the potential protective factor of healthy nasopharyngeal microbiota against IPD and the development of these microorganisms as probiotics.

Background"Candidatus Saccharimonadia", a lineage within the Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR), is characterized by small cell size, reduced genomes, and an epibiotic lifestyle dependent on bacterial hosts. Despite their presence in diverse environments, including the human oral microbiota, their role in human health remains largely unexplored. Observational studies have linked increased "Ca. Saccharimonadia" abundance in human saliva with inflammatory conditions such as periodontitis and inflammatory bowel disease, while recent in vivo evidence suggests potential anti-inflammatory properties. Investigating "Ca. Saccharimonadia" is challenging due to their fastidious nature, making standard culturing methods impractical. Current genomic studies rely on either co-cultivation with bacterial hosts or shotgun metagenomics, both requiring advanced technical expertise and costly resources. To address this limitation, we developed an affordable and efficient protocol for enriching "Ca. Saccharimonadia" from human saliva samples, facilitating genome sequencing. Our protocol, termed the "Ca. Saccharimonadia" Enrichment (SE) protocol, consists of two mandatory phases (detachment from host bacteria and weight/size-based separation) along with an optional DNA degradation phase. We validated this method on two human saliva samples. ResultsAfter SE protocol, the two saliva showed a substantial increase in "Ca. Saccharimonadia" DNA concentration. The enriched samples enabled high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) to be obtained via shotgun metagenomics. ConclusionsThis study presents a cost-effective and scalable approach to studying "Ca. Saccharimonadia", overcoming prior limitations and expanding opportunities for future research on their role in human health and disease.

Neobuxbaumia tetetzo, commonly known as tetecho, is a columnar cactus endemic to Mexico. In the last 15 years, damage has been observed in young and adult plants of N. tetetzo, ranging from chlorotic spots with a wet appearance in early stages to tissue necrosis in advanced stages and finally the death of the plant; Pectobacterium brasiliense is the causal agent of the damages. Disease progression may be delayed or accelerated by the involvement of other bacteria, either pathogenic or endophytic, at the site of infection. Our goal was to confirm the presence of Pectobacterium brasiliense, in the soft rot of N. tetetzo and to determine the presence of other bacteria associated with the rot. We isolated three bacterial strains (A1, A3 and A8) from diseased tissue from three separate N. tetetzo plants, and compare them using biochemical and molecular techniques, such as whole-genome sequencing of strains A1 and A3. Phylogenetic analyzes confirmed that A1 corresponded to P. brasiliense, whereas A3 was more misimlar to P. polaris. Additionally, sequencing of 16S rRNA gene from metagenomic DNA isolated from healthy and diseased tissue of N. tetetzo indicated the presence of four operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the order level, unique to the diseased tissue: Actinomycetales, Burkholderiales, Caulobacterales, and Sphingomonadales, with probable participation in the soft rot process.

Animals feeding on plants (herbivorous) may have nutritional deficiencies and use bacterial nitrogen fixation in guts to compensate unbalanced diets with high carbon and low nitrogen. Using the acetylene reduction assay we searched for nitrogen fixation in the feces from several herbivorous animals in captivity. We detected acetylene reduction in feces from two African spurred tortoises, Centrochelys sulcata and in feces from six Gopherus berlandieri tortoises and isolated nitrogen-fixing klebsiellas from them. Additionally, we performed a gut metagenomic study with Illumina sequencing from a healthy Mexican G. berlandieri tortoise, and the nif genes identified in the feces microbiome matched those from Klebsiella variicola. Fecal bacterial composition from tortoises was similar to that reported from other reptilian guts.

ObjectivesGroup A Streptococcus (GAS) necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a difficult-to-treat bacterial infection associated with high morbidity and mortality despite extensive surgery and targeted antibiotic treatment. Bacteria surviving prolonged antibiotic exposure without displaying genetic resistance, so-called persisters, are associated with difficult-to-treat infections, such as GAS-NF. In the present study, we investigated the presence of persistent GAS in tissue freshly debrided from three NF patients and examined more in depth the persisters phenomenon in GAS-NF clinical isolates. MethodsTime-lapse imaging of freshly isolated GAS-NF clinical isolates, the image analysis software ColTapp and antibiotic challenge-based persisters assays were used to assess the presence of persisters. ResultsWe show for the first time that GAS recovered directly from freshly debrided NF patients tissue are characterized by increased colony appearance time heterogeneity, indicating the presence of persisters. Acidic pH or nutrient stress exposure, mimicking the NF-like environment in vitro, similarly leads to phenotypic heterogeneity resulting in enhanced antibiotic survival and confirming the presence of GAS persisters. ConclusionsGAS persisters are present in the tissue freshly debrided from GAS-NF patients and might be one explanation for antibiotic treatment failure and surgery requirement in GAS-NF. Tailored treatment options, including the use of persisters-targeting drugs, need to be developed to increase GAS-NF therapy success.

Nitrogen is the most abundant element in our planets atmosphere. Approximately 78% of the atmosphere is made up of nitrogen gas (N2). It is essential for organisms, as a major component of biomolecules and cellular biochemistry. Until today, atmospheric N2 assimilation in eukaryotic organisms has been reported to occur only through specific symbiotic N2-fixing bacterial groups that make it available to plants, the base of the food chain. In this work, using Gas Chromatography with Thermal Conductivity Detection, we proved the direct consumption of atmospheric N2 by eukaryotic organisms. Three yeast species: Debaryomyces hansenii, Metschnikowia reukaufii and model-species Saccharomyces cerevisiae are able to directly assimilate atmospheric nitrogen in various conditions, with a yet unknown mechanisms that are not based on the presence of known N2-fixation enzymes. Our findings could change the way we consider the N2-assimilation in nature, laying the basis for future focused studies on the molecular mechanism underling the biological phenomenon of eukaryotic N2-assimilation.

The human fecal microbiome is composed of endogenous bacteria, eukaryotic viruses, bacteriophages and retroviruses. Several pathological conditions, including gastroenteritis, may be characterized by imbalance of gastrointestinal functions, with alteration in the diversity and composition of the fecal microbiota. Were analyzed twenty-seven fecal microbiome in children hospitalized with gastroenteritis (norovirus positive) from northern region of Brazil. After sequencing, was verified the presence of the domains Bacteria (95%) and Eukaryota (3.1%), the viruses represented 1.9%. Among the pathogenic viruses were found in addition to noroviruses the picornaviruses, enterovirus and parechovirus. The bacteriophages detected were of Caudovirales order, families Siphoviridae, Podoviridae and Myoviridae. In 22.2% (6/27) of the samples was observed co-infection between norovirus, enterovirus B and echovirus. As for the others components of the microbiome, we can highlight the presence of the taxonomic groups: Terrabacteria (50.2%), composed mainly of Actinobacteria and Firmicutes; Proteobacteria (34.5%) represented by the Enterobacteriaceae family; and FCB group (22%) whose most abundant microorganisms were those of the phylum Bacterioidetes. We performed a metagenomic approach to analyze the fecal microbiota of children with viral gastroenteritis, it was observed that the bacterias (Enterobacteriaceae) deserve attention in a possible association with noroviruses, as they were found in large quantities in infections. In addition, other enteric viruses were observed, such as enteroviruses.

BackgroundWhile wheat is the most commonly used cereal in pig feeding, rye has gained renewed interest as a component in pig diets due to its positive effects on gut health. The effects of distinct cereal sources on the composition and functionality of gut microbiota are, however, poorly investigated so far. In vitro studies offer a valuable approach to gain detailed insights on this matter, however, require a substrate that closely mimics the conditions found in the large intestine. In this study, we performed predigestion of cereal substrates using ileo-cecally fistulated minipigs simulating the upper gastrointestinal digestion. The composition of microbiota, total cell counts, and short chain fatty acid concentrations after a 24-hour incubation were analysed. Results were compared to cultures containing native substrates. ResultsBoth acetate and propionate concentration were significantly higher in predigested rye compared to predigested wheat (8.17 {+/-} 2.71 vs. 6.55 {+/-} 2.16 mmol/l and 3.40 {+/-} 0.436 vs. 2.64 {+/-} 0.337 mmol/l, respectively), whereas butyrate concentrations were not different. Substantial differences were observed between native and predigested substrates with a higher butyrate production on the former. Bacterial cell counts were higher in predigested substrates and elevated in rye cultures compared to respective wheat incubations. Bacterial communities differed markedly between the two predigested cereals as well as between native and predigested substrates. Several known butyrate and propionate producers - for example Agathobacter, Blautia, Coprococcus, Mediterraneibacter and Roseburia - grew significantly more on predigested rye than on predigested wheat. Bifidobacterium, Clostridium sensu stricto, and Succinivibrio were significantly more abundant on native substrates compared to their predigested forms. ConclusionRye promoted higher production of acetate and propionate compared with wheat along with a distinct bacterial community composition. Predigestion of substrates was crucial in in vitro experiments for gaining adequate insights into growth and substrate degradation by colonic microbiota.

The protozoan Toxoplasma (T.) gondii is a zoonotic disease agent causing systemic infection in warm-blooded intermediate hosts including humans. During acute infections, the parasite infects host cells and multiplies intracellularly in the asexual tachyzoite stage. In this stage of the life cycle, invasion, multiplication, and egress are most critical events in the parasites replication. T. gondii features diverse cell organelles to support these processes, including the so-called apicoplast, an endosymbiont-derived vestigial plastid originating from an alga ancestor. Previous studies have highlighted that phytohormones can modify the calcium-mediated secretion, e.g., of adhesins involved in parasite movement and cell invasion processes. The present study aimed to elucidate the influence of different plant hormones on the replication of asexual tachyzoites in a human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) host cell culture. T. gondii replication was measured by the determination of T. gondii DNA copies via qPCR. Three selected phytohormones, namely abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellic acid (GIBB), and kinetin (KIN)as representatives of different plant hormone groups were tested. Moreover, the influence of typical cell culture media components on the phytohormone effects was assessed. Our results indicate that ABA is able to induce a significant increase of T. gondii DNA copies in typical supplemented cell culture medium when applied in concentrations of 20 ng/l or 2 ng/l, respectively. In contrast, depending on the culture medium composition, GIBB may potentially serve as T. gondii growth inhibitor and may be further investigated as a potential treatment for toxoplasmosis.

Methanogens are being members of anaerobe microbiota of the digestive tract of both human and mammals. However, the sources, modes of acquisition and dynamics of digestive tract methanogens remain poorly investigated. In this study, we aimed to expand the spectrum of animals which could be sources of methanogens for human, by exploring methanogen carriage in animals in contact with the general population or with some restricted populations; comparing the repertoire of animal methanogens with the one of human methanogens in order to question methanogens as zoonotic microorganisms. We used RT-PCR, PCR-sequencing and multispacer sequence typing to investigate the presence of methanogens in 407 fecal specimens collected from nine different mammalian species. We detected by RT-PCR, the presence of methanogen DNA in all mammals here investigated and none of the negative controls. We obtained by sequencing, seven different species of methanogens, of which three (Methanobrevibacter smithii, Methanobrevibacter millerae and Methanomassiliicoccus luminyensis) are known to be part of the methanogens present in the human digestive tract. We obtained 24 M. smithii by PCR-sequencing including 12/24 (50%) in pigs, 6/24 (25%) in dogs, 4/24 (16.66%) in cats, and 1/24 (4.16%) in both sheep and horses. Genotyping these 24 M. smithii revealed five different genotypes, all know in humans. Our results are fairly representative of the methanogen community present in the digestive tract of certain animals domesticated by humans and other future studies must be done to try to cultivate methanogens here detected by molecular biology to better understand the dynamics of methanogens in animals and also the likely acquisition of methanogens in humans through direct contact with these animals or through consumption of the meat and/or milk of certain animals, in particular cows.

A highly active alkaline phosphatase (ALP) from the mollusk strain of the marine bacterium Cobetia amphilecti KMM 296 (CmAP) was found to remove phosphorus from the Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequences of ALPs found in 36 available Cobetia genomes revealed that CmAP and its homologues from nine strains clustered together with the human and squid LPS-detoxifying enzymes. Each strain of the genus Cobetia has a variety of ALPs mostly of the PhoD and PhoX families. The PhoA gene encoding for the CmAP-like ALP is characteristic for the subspecies C. amphilecti, with a complete set of four ALP families, including PafA and two PhoD structures (5 genes). However, a single strain of the species Cobetia crustatorum JO1T from fermented shrimp, phylogenetically distant from C. amphilecti and C. marina, among four ALPs contains a CmAP homologue carrying an inactive mutation. Apparently, the multiplicity of ALPs in bacteria of the genus Cobetia is a trait of incredible adaptation to a phosphorus-depleted environment and a specialty of organophosphate destructor in eco-niches to which they once emerged, including Zostera spp. roots. The ALP clusterization and an identity level of the genus-specific biosynthetic genes encoding for ectoine and polyketide cluster T1PKS, responsible for sulfated extracellular polysaccharide synthesis, coincide with a new whole genome-based taxonomic classification of the genus Cobetia. The LPS-dephosphorylating property of the PhoA family C. amphilecti ALP CmAP may be used in the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.

BackgroundSerendipitously, it was observed that fecal transplantation made for Clostridium difficile may cure chronic urinary tract infections. This led us to evaluate the passage in the urine of probiotics contained in yoghurt, which have been claimed to prevent urinary infections. ResultsA commercial yogurt that contained 3 probiotics (Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus delbrueckiii and Lactobacillus reuteri) was consumed by 28 healthy subjects. We performed by culturomics, urine analysis before and after feeding these yogurts. Genome sequencing of the bacterial strains absent before yogurt consumption and present after consumption was performed. Testing more than 40,000 colonies by MALDI-TOF, we observed in two men and one woman (11% of subjects included), the urine colonization of the same Lactobacillus reuteri present in yogurts, with the same genome with 50 genes never identified in other lactobacilli. ConclusionThis confirms that, as ingested, Lactobacillus salivarius passes into the milk of lactating women, some bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus can colonize body fluids previously considered sterile after ingestion via the digestive route. Although the consequences of this passage remain unknown, we prove for the first time that there is a digestive passage in the urine after consumption of probiotics, including fermented products sold commercially.

Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria (AAnPB) are photoheterotrophs, which use light as auxiliary energy and require organic carbon (OC) for growth. Herein, we report the unusual strain B3, which is a true AAnPB because it requires oxygen for growth, harbours genes for cbb3- and bd-type cytochromes and acsF, and produces bacteriochlorophyll. The B3 genome encodes the complete metabolic pathways for AAnPB light utilization, CO2 fixation via Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle and oxidation of sulfite and H2, and the transcriptome indicated that all components of these pathways were fully transcribed. Expression of the marker genes related to photosynthesis, including pufM for light harnessing and rbcL for CO2 fixation, and the activity of RubisCO, the key enzyme in the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle, increased in response to decreased OC supply. Large amounts of cell biomass were obtained in liquid BG11 medium under illumination. The strain thus likely photoautotrophically grows using sulfite or H2 as an electron donor. Similar GC contents between photosynthesis, the CBB cycle and 16S rRNA genes and the consistency of their phylogenetic topologies implied that light harnessing and carbon fixation genes evolved vertically from an anaerobic phototrophic ancestor of Rhodospirillaceae in Alphaproteobacteria. In conclusion, strain B3 represents a novel AAnPB characterized by photoautotrophy using the CBB cycle. This kind of AAnPB may be ecologically significant in the global carbon cycle.

BackgroundRespiratory tract infections range from asymptomatic colonisation to an invasive disease. Recent studies suggest that nasopharyngeal microbiota may influence this variability. Emerging evidence points to Dolosigranulum pigrum, a nasopharyngeal commensal, as a potentially protective bacterium. This study aimed to identify variables associated with the presence of D. pigrum in the nasopharynx of children with varying respiratory health statuses. MethodsNasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from children <18 years who were asymptomatic (n=65), had banal viral infection (n=48), or Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) (n=27). The presence of D. pigrum was defined as >0.1% of total sequences obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Variables included sex, breastfeeding, delivery mode, S. pneumoniae carriage, respiratory viruses and clinical features. ResultsAmong 140 children (73 males, 67 females), D. pigrum was detected in 79 (56.4%): 44/65 in the healthy group; 26/48 of viral and 9/27 IPD cases. Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations with health status and sex. Healthy children were more likely to carry D. pigrum than IPD cases (44/79 vs. 26/79; p= 0.028). Males were more frequently D. pigrum carriers than females (48/79 vs. 31/79; p= 0.033). ConclusionD. Pigrum was associated with respiratory health, being more prevalent in healthy children, and showed potential sex-related differences.

Phages and prophages are one of the principal modulators of microbial populations. However, much of their diversity is still poorly understood. Here, we extracted 33,624 prophages from 13,713 complete prokaryotic genomes in order to explore the prophage diversity and their relationships with their host. Our results reveal that prophages were present in 75% of the genomes studied. In addition, Enterobacterales were significantly enriched in prophages. We also found that pathogens are a significant reservoir of prophages. Finally, we determined that the prophage relatedness and the range of genomic hosts were delimited by the evolutionary relationships of their hosts. On a broader level, we got insights into the prophage population, identified in thousands of publicly available prokaryotic genomes, by comparing the prophage distribution and relatedness between them and their hosts.

Termites represent one of the most important insect groups worldwide due to their key role as plant decomposers and proxy of carbon recycling in the tropical rainforest ecosystems. Besides, high relevance in research has been given to these social insects due to a prominent role as urban pests. However, one of the most fascinating aspects of termites are their defence strategies that prevent the growth of detrimental microbiological strains on their nests. One success factor is the key role of the nest allied microbiome. Understanding how beneficial microbial strains aid termites in pathogen biocontrol strategies could provide us with an enhanced repertoire for fighting antimicrobial resistant strains or mine for genes for bioremediation purposes. We carried out a multiomics approach for dissecting the nest microbiome in a wide range of termite species, covering several feeding habits and three geographical locations at two tropical sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and an African savanna. Our experimental approach included untargeted volatile metabolomics, targeted evaluation of volatile naphthalene, taxonomical profile for bacteria and fungi through amplicon sequencing, and further dive into the genetic repertoire through a metagenomic sequencing approach. Volatile naphthalene was present in species belonging to the genera Nasutitermes and Cubitermes. We further assessed the apparent differences in terms of bacterial community structure, having found a stronger influence from feeding habits and genera, rather than the geographical location. Lastly, our metagenomic analysis revealed that the gene content provides both soil feeding genera with similar functional profiles, while the wood feeding genus shows a different one. These results seem to be independent of the geographical location, indicating that the nest functional profile is heavily influenced by the diet of the termite inhabiting, building, and maintaining the nest.

BackgroundBecause of its potential influence on the hosts phenotype, increasing attention is paid to organ-specific microbiota in several animal species, including cattle. However, ecosystems other than those related to the digestive tract remain largely understudied. In particular, little is known about the vaginal microbiota of ruminants despite the importance of the reproductive functions of cows in a livestock context, where fertility disorders represent one of the primary reasons for culling. ResultsIn the present study, we aimed at better characterizing the vaginal microbiota of dairy cows through 16S rRNA sequencing, using a large cohort of Holstein cows from Northern France. Our results allowed to define a core microbiota of the dairy cows vagina, and highlighted that 90% of the sequences belonged to the Firmicutes, the Proteobacteria, and the Bacteroidetes phyla. The core microbiota was composed of four phyla, 16 families, 14 genera and only one amplicon sequence variant (ASV), supporting the idea of the high diversity of vaginal microbiota within the studied population. This variability was partly explained by various environmental factors such as the herd, the sampling season, the lactation rank and the lactation stage. In addition, we investigated potential associations between the diversity and the composition of the vaginal microbiota and several health-, performance-, and fertility-related phenotypes. Our analyses highlighted significant associations between the and {beta}- diversities and several traits including the first insemination outcome, the productive longevity, and the culling. Besides, relevant phenotypes were correlated with the abundance of several genera, some of which, such as Leptotrichia, Streptobacillus, Methylobacterium-Methylorubrum, or Negativibacillus, were linked to multiple traits. ConclusionConsidering the large number of samples, which were collected in commercial farms, and the diversity of the phenotypes considered, this study represents a first step towards a better understanding of the close relationship between the vaginal and the dairy cows phenotypes.