Probiotics: Mitigating antibiotic resistance in the vaginal microbiome

Ezeanya-Bakpa, Chinyere Charity; Udeogu, Chidozie; Agbakoba, Nneka Regina; Uduchi, Immaculata; Ejike, Chinwe

doi:10.21608/mid.2024.266564.1782

Probiotics: Mitigating antibiotic resistance in the vaginal microbiome

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

¹ Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Caleb University Lagos, Nigeria.

² Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

³ Department of Medical Microbiology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria

10.21608/mid.2024.266564.1782

Abstract

Background: Studies have shown a strong correlation between probiotics and incidence of antibiotic resistance. Many studies have reported antibiotic resistance in the vaginal microbiome especially in women with dysbiosis condition, and it is possible that the antibiotic resistance plays a role in the alteration of the vaginal microbiome and disease complications. Consequently, this study aims to investigate the vaginal microbiome with antibiotic resistance in healthy, menopausal and post-menopausal women and the mitigating effect of probiotics. In this narrative review, a comprehensive review of web of science, PubMed, Scientific information database, Google scholar and Scopus with no time limit. The keyword “Probiotics”, “Antibiotic resistance”, “Vaginal Microbiome”, “Vaginal Microbiota” were used to provide a synopsis of mitigating antibiotic resistance in the vaginal microbiome. Among the 917 sources identified, 12 articles were found most appropriate for the study. Our findings recommend administration of probiotics to alleviate antibiotic resistance. The study revealed that probiotics may mitigate antibiotic resistance in the vaginal microbiome and possibly improve the female reproductive health at all levels including menopausal and post- menopausal.

Keywords