Vaginal and Urinary Tract Microbiome

The vaginal and urinary tract microbiome refers to the complex community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, that inhabit the female urogenital tract [1]. In healthy individuals, the vaginal microbiome is typically dominated by Lactobacillus species, which maintain an acidic environment through the production of lactic acid, providing a critical barrier against pathogens [2]. The urinary tract, once thought to be sterile, also harbors a unique, low-biomass microbiome that contributes to mucosal immunity and bladder health [3]. Dysbiosis, or the imbalance of these microbial communities, is a primary driver of conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs), and increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections [4]. Therapeutic strategies targeting these microbiomes involve the use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics to clear overgrowth and live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) or probiotics designed to re-establish protective commensal populations [5]. This target is considered 'incorrect' in a classical molecular sense because it represents a biological system or ecosystem rather than a single receptor, enzyme, or protein.

Other names

Urogenital microbiomeVaginal microbiotaUrinary microbiotaVaginal floraGenitourinary microbiome

Restoration of microbial homeostasis, production of antimicrobial compounds such as lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, and competitive exclusion of uropathogens and anaerobic bacteria.