Vaginal microbiome composition in women with HIV undergoing treatment of cervical transformation zone in a screen and treat program in Zambia

This study assessed the vaginal microbiome in women with HIV undergoing cervical transformation zone treatment in Zambia. 16S rRNA sequencing showed lower microbial diversity in successful outcomes (N = 18) than those with treatment failure (N = 17) treatment outcome, with Lactobacillus abundance correlated with success. Moreover, HPV-negative women (N = 12) had higher Lactobacillus levels and less pathogens than HPV-positive women (N = 12). These findings suggest a Lactobacillus-dominated microbiome may be associated with positive treatment outcomes.