scholarly journals Factors associated with the composition and diversity of the cervical microbiota of reproductive-age Black South African women: a retrospective cross-sectional study

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harris Onywera ◽  
Anna-Lise Williamson ◽  
Zizipho Z.A. Mbulawa ◽  
David Coetzee ◽  
Tracy L. Meiring
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
African Women ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Black South African ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
South African Women

Background Lactobacillus spp. are common bacteria in the cervical and vaginal microbiota (CVM) and are thought to represent a “healthy” cervicovaginal state. Several studies have found an independent association between ethnicity/race and cervical and vaginal microbiota (CVM) composition. Women of sub-Saharan African descent appear to be significantly more likely to have non-Lactobacillus-dominated CVM compared to women of European descent. The factors contributing to these differences remain to be fully elucidated. The CVM of Black South African women and factors influencing their CVM remain understudied. In this study, we characterized the cervical microbiota of reproductive-age South African women and assessed the associations of these microbiota with participants’ metadata. Methods The cervical microbiota from cervical DNA of 62 reproductive-age women were profiled by Ion Torrent sequencing the V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and analyzed with the Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME), UPARSE, and metagenomeSeq tools. Associations between cervical microbiota and participants’ metadata were assessed using GraphPad Prism, R packages and an in-house script. Results The cervical microbiota clustered into three distinct community state types (CSTs): Lactobacillus iners-dominated cervical microbiota (CST I (38.7%, 24/62)), unclassified Lactobacillus-dominated cervical microbiota (CST II (4.8%, 3/62)), and diverse cervical microbiota (CST III (56.5%, 35/62)) with an array of heterogeneous bacteria, predominantly the bacterial vaginosis (BV)-associated Gardnerella, Prevotella, Sneathia, and Shuttleworthia. CST III was associated with BV (p = 0.001). Women in CST I were more likely to be on hormonal contraception, especially progestin-based, compared to women in CST III (odds ratio: 5.2 (95% CI [1.6–17.2]); p = 0.005). Women on hormonal contraception had a significantly lower alpha (Shannon indices: 0.9 (0.2–1.9) versus 2.3 (0.6–2.3); p = 0.025) and beta (permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) pseudo-F statistic =4.31, p = 0.019) diversity compared to non-users. There was no significant difference in the alpha (Shannon indices: 1.0 (0.3–2.2) versus 1.9 (0.3–2.2); p = 0.483) and beta (PERMANOVA pseudo-F statistic = 0.89, p = 0.373) diversity in women with versus without human papillomavirus infection. Conclusions The majority of Black women in our study had non-Lactobacillus-dominated cervical microbiota. Additional studies are needed to examine whether such microbiota represent abnormal, intermediate or variant states of health. Lastly, the association of hormonal contraception with L. iners dominance requires further in-depth research to confirm this association, determine its biological mechanism and whether it has a beneficial effect on the cervicovaginal health.

scholarly journals Osteoporosis in Black South African Women: Myth or Reality

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-116
Author(s):  
Lineo Matsela ◽  
Olakunle Towobola ◽  
Ephraim T Mokgokong
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
South African ◽  
African Women ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Black South African ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Perimenopausal Women ◽  
South African Women

ABSTRACT Aim The study was conducted to ascertain the severity of the occurrence of osteopenia and osteoporosis among black South African women during their transition from premenopause to postmenopause. Materials and methods Sixty-eight black South African women, aged between 32 and 77 years, residents of three districts of Pretoria, South Africa, constituted the participants in the study. Following informed consent, the women were randomly recruited and assessed for age, medical history, and lifestyle data. Each woman was classified as being premenopause, perimenopause, or postmenopause based on her menstrual history within the preceding 12 months to the study. Bone mineral density (BMD) of the L1-L4 vertebrae and the hip vertebrae was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method and the results were expressed as T-scores based on World Health Organization (WHO) classifications for osteopenia and osteoporosis. Results Osteopenia was found in 2 of the 8 (25%) premenopausal women aged 37 and 38 years. Similarly, 2 perimenopausal women out of the 28 (7.1%), aged 45 and 49 years, also had evidence of osteopenia. Among 32 postmenopausal women, 11 (34.4%) had osteopenia and 8 (25%) were diagnosed with osteoporosis. There was no statistical significant difference (p = 0.0832) for osteopenia between premenopausal and perimenopausal women. However, the incidence of osteopenia became statistically significant between premenopausal and postmenopausal women (p = 0.0137), and between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women (p = 0.0218). Conclusion Even from this small cohort study, it is apparent that osteoporosis does afflict postmenopausal black South African women. The need to institute screening strategies and appropriate guidance to prevent osteoporosis in these women is strongly advocated. Clinical significance The study draws special attention to the necessity to investigate black South African women for early detection of osteopenia and osteoporosis. How to cite this article Matsela L, Towobola O, Mokgokong ET. Osteoporosis in Black South African Women: Myth or Reality. J South Asian Feder Menopause Soc 2017;5(2):111-116. Source of support The authors herewith express their gratitude to both MSD (South Africa) and the South African Menopause Society for their financial donations, which enabled the DEXA evaluations of participants in this study.

scholarly journals The determinants of overweight/obesity and blood pressure in rural South African women living in the Tshino Nesengani (Mukondeleli) village

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Gradidge ◽  
Phaswana Merling ◽  
Emmanuel Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
South African ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
African Women ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Black South African ◽  
South African Women

Background: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether bio-behavioural factors are associated with blood pressure and body composition in rural black South African women. Methods: Data were collected on 200 African women living in the Tshino Nesengani (Mukondeleli) village, Limpopo Province using simple anthropometry, blood pressure, and validated self-reported questionnaires for sleep, physical activity, and sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Results: Six patterns of SSB consumption were determined by principal component analysis. Regression analysis showed that longer sleep duration (?9 hours/night) was associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures; whilst principal component 2 (beer, wine, and sweetened tea) was associated with higher body mass index. Conclusions: These findings highlight novel bio-behavioural contributors of blood pressure and body anthropometry in rural African women.

scholarly journals The determinants of overweight/obesity and blood pressure in rural South African women living in the Tshino Nesengani (Mukondeleli) village

10.17159/5066 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
P Gradidge ◽  
Phaswana Merling ◽  
Emmanuel Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
South African ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
African Women ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Black South African ◽  
South African Women

Background: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether bio-behavioural factors are associated with blood pressure and body composition in rural black South African women. Methods: Data were collected on 200 African women living in the Tshino Nesengani (Mukondeleli) village, Limpopo Province using simple anthropometry, blood pressure, and validated self-reported questionnaires for sleep, physical activity, and sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. Results: Six patterns of SSB consumption were determined by principal component analysis. Regression analysis showed that longer sleep duration (?9 hours/night) was associated with lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures; whilst principal component 2 (beer, wine, and sweetened tea) was associated with higher body mass index. Conclusions: These findings highlight novel bio-behavioural contributors of blood pressure and body anthropometry in rural African women.

scholarly journals Temporal Changes in Vaginal Microbiota and Genital Tract Cytokines Among South African Women Treated for Bacterial Vaginosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andile Mtshali ◽  
James Emmanuel San ◽  
Farzana Osman ◽  
Nigel Garrett ◽  
Christina Balle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
South African ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
African Women ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Short Term ◽  
South African Women

The standard treatment for bacterial vaginosis (BV) with oral metronidazole is often ineffective, and recurrence rates are high among African women. BV-associated anaerobes are closely associated with genital inflammation and HIV risk, which underscores the importance of understanding the interplay between vaginal microbiota and genital inflammation in response to treatment. In this cohort study, we therefore investigated the effects of metronidazole treatment on the vaginal microbiota and genital cytokines among symptomatic South African women with BV [defined as Nugent score (NS) ≥4] using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multiplex bead arrays. Among 56 BV-positive women, we observed short-term BV clearance (NS <4) in a proportion of women six weeks after metronidazole treatment, with more than half of these experiencing recurrence by 12 weeks post-treatment. BV treatment temporarily reduced the relative abundance of BV-associated anaerobes (particularly Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae) and increased lactobacilli species (mainly L. iners), resulting in significantly altered mucosal immune milieu over time. In a linear mixed model, the median concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were significantly reduced in women who cleared BV compared to pre-treatment. BV persistence and recurrence were strongly associated with mucosal cytokine profiles that may increase the risk of HIV acquisition. Concentrations of these cytokines were differentially regulated by changes in the relative abundance of BVAB1 and G. vaginalis. We conclude that metronidazole for the treatment of BV induced short-term shifts in the vaginal microbiota and mucosal cytokines, while treatment failures promoted persistent elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations in the genital tract. These data suggest the need to improve clinical management of BV to minimize BV related reproductive risk factors.

ISH NIA PS 03-08 THE ROLE OF BODY FAT AND FAT DISTRIBUTION IN HYPERTENSION RISK IN URBAN BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. e283
Author(s):  
Cindy George ◽  
Julia Goedecke ◽  
Nigel Crowther ◽  
Nicole Jaff ◽  
Andre Kengne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Fat Distribution ◽  
African Women ◽  
Black South African ◽  
Hypertension Risk ◽  
South African Women

Lean mass appears to be more strongly associated with bone health than fat mass in urban black South African women

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 628-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. F. Sotunde ◽  
H. S. Kruger ◽  
H. H. Wright ◽  
L. Havemann-Nel ◽  
I. M. Kruger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Lean Mass ◽  
Bone Health ◽  
African Women ◽  
Black South African ◽  
South African Women

Agreement between specific measures of adiposity and associations with high blood pressure in black South African women

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. e23042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herculina S. Kruger ◽  
Chrisna Botha-Ravyse ◽  
Lize Havemann-Nel ◽  
Maretha Doubell ◽  
Johannes M. van Rooyen
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
South African ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
African Women ◽  
Black South African ◽  
South African Women
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