Association of diet and inflammation with the vaginal microbiota of pregnant individuals with or without IBD

Background and aimsVaginal dysbiosis has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Here, we characterized the vaginal microbiota of pregnant individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and investigated whether gut or vaginal inflammation and diet influence the vaginal microbiota diversity of these individuals. Study DesignWe recruited 48 individuals in their third trimester of pregnancy (IBD=23 and HC=18). We characterized the vaginal microbiota by 16S rRNA sequencing and the gut microbiota by shotgun sequencing. We measured fecal calprotectin in stool and pro-inflammatory cytokines in vaginal fluids. We determine dietary quality using validated 24-hour dietary recalls. ResultsPregnant individuals with IBD exhibit higher levels of fecal calprotectin and increased expression of Th17 pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-6, IL-8, IL-17) in the vaginal mucosa compared to healthy pregnant individuals. High fecal calprotectin correlated with high vaginal microbiota diversity. Also, IL-4 (reduced in IBD) was associated with vaginal microbial composition. Regardless of IBD status, pregnant individuals with healthier diets and particularly optimal servings of vegetables and sugars exhibited a vaginal microbiota dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus, a species associated with a lower risk of preterm birth and bacterial vaginosis. ConclusionBesides gut inflammation, pregnant individuals with IBD also exhibit a Th17 immune tone in the vaginal mucosa. The vaginal microbiota diversity or composition, particularly high in the beneficial L. crispatus, is positively associated with healthier diets, regardless of IBD status. Why was the study conducted?An altered vaginal microbiota has been implicated in preterm birth. There is no research on the vaginal microbiome and the factors that influence it in pregnant individuals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) at a higher risk of preterm delivery. Key findingsPregnant individuals with IBD exhibit a comparable vaginal microbiome to healthy pregnant individuals. However, pregnant individuals with IBD present a vaginal immune profile characterized by increased levels of Th17 pro-inflammatory cytokines. High dietary quality, and optimal consumption of vegetables and added sugars were associated with vaginal dominance by the beneficial L. crispatus. What does this add to what is known?Our results indicate that the vaginal immune environment and not the microbiome might explain poor pregnancy outcomes for individuals with IBD. Moreover, our study supports the importance of diet to favor L. crispatus, a bacterium associated with a lower risk of preterm birth.