The Clinically Significant Changes in the Composition and Functional Diversity of the Vaginal Microbiome in Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) significantly influences the composition and diversity of the vaginal microbiome, with implications for mucosal immunity, infection risk, and genitourinary health. This study aimed to investigate the vaginal microbiome profiles in women with T2DM, with a focus on diff...

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Main Authors: Min Jeong Kim, Jaeeun Yoo, Soonjib Yoo, Mi Yeon Kwon, Seungok Lee, Myungshin Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Microorganisms
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1426
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author Min Jeong Kim
Jaeeun Yoo
Soonjib Yoo
Mi Yeon Kwon
Seungok Lee
Myungshin Kim
author_facet Min Jeong Kim
Jaeeun Yoo
Soonjib Yoo
Mi Yeon Kwon
Seungok Lee
Myungshin Kim
author_sort Min Jeong Kim
collection DOAJ
description Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) significantly influences the composition and diversity of the vaginal microbiome, with implications for mucosal immunity, infection risk, and genitourinary health. This study aimed to investigate the vaginal microbiome profiles in women with T2DM, with a focus on differences according to menopausal status and associations with Candida colonization and the use of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Compared to healthy controls, women with T2DM exhibited a decreased abundance of <i>Lactobacillus</i> species and increased microbial diversity. Community state of type (CST) IV, characterized by low <i>Lactobacillus</i> abundance and dominance of anaerobic taxa, was prevalent in the T2DM group. Among <i>Candida</i>-positive patients, <i>Lactobacillus iners</i>-dominant CST III was frequently observed, along with elevated levels of total and L-lactic acid. SGLT2 inhibitor users exhibited a different CST distribution pattern and slightly lower microbial richness and diversity, although these differences were not statistically significant. These findings underscore the impact of T2DM and its treatment on vaginal microbial composition and highlight the importance of considering vaginal health as part of comprehensive diabetes management in women.
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spelling doaj-art-ee1b50a1812349a1b31538d27ced785e2025-08-20T03:27:21ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-06-01136142610.3390/microorganisms13061426The Clinically Significant Changes in the Composition and Functional Diversity of the Vaginal Microbiome in Women with Type 2 Diabetes MellitusMin Jeong Kim0Jaeeun Yoo1Soonjib Yoo2Mi Yeon Kwon3Seungok Lee4Myungshin Kim5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Endocrinology, Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Clinical Medicine Research, Bucheon St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of KoreaType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) significantly influences the composition and diversity of the vaginal microbiome, with implications for mucosal immunity, infection risk, and genitourinary health. This study aimed to investigate the vaginal microbiome profiles in women with T2DM, with a focus on differences according to menopausal status and associations with Candida colonization and the use of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Compared to healthy controls, women with T2DM exhibited a decreased abundance of <i>Lactobacillus</i> species and increased microbial diversity. Community state of type (CST) IV, characterized by low <i>Lactobacillus</i> abundance and dominance of anaerobic taxa, was prevalent in the T2DM group. Among <i>Candida</i>-positive patients, <i>Lactobacillus iners</i>-dominant CST III was frequently observed, along with elevated levels of total and L-lactic acid. SGLT2 inhibitor users exhibited a different CST distribution pattern and slightly lower microbial richness and diversity, although these differences were not statistically significant. These findings underscore the impact of T2DM and its treatment on vaginal microbial composition and highlight the importance of considering vaginal health as part of comprehensive diabetes management in women.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1426microbiomecommunity state typetype 2 diabetes mellitusSGLT2 inhibitorcandida
spellingShingle Min Jeong Kim
Jaeeun Yoo
Soonjib Yoo
Mi Yeon Kwon
Seungok Lee
Myungshin Kim
The Clinically Significant Changes in the Composition and Functional Diversity of the Vaginal Microbiome in Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Microorganisms
microbiome
community state type
type 2 diabetes mellitus
SGLT2 inhibitor
candida
title The Clinically Significant Changes in the Composition and Functional Diversity of the Vaginal Microbiome in Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
title_full The Clinically Significant Changes in the Composition and Functional Diversity of the Vaginal Microbiome in Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
title_fullStr The Clinically Significant Changes in the Composition and Functional Diversity of the Vaginal Microbiome in Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
title_full_unstemmed The Clinically Significant Changes in the Composition and Functional Diversity of the Vaginal Microbiome in Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
title_short The Clinically Significant Changes in the Composition and Functional Diversity of the Vaginal Microbiome in Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
title_sort clinically significant changes in the composition and functional diversity of the vaginal microbiome in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus
topic microbiome
community state type
type 2 diabetes mellitus
SGLT2 inhibitor
candida
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/6/1426
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