<p>Archived self-collected vaginal swabs were utilized from a pilot study of vaginal douching cessation (NIH/NIAID R03-AI061131).  Thirty-nine non-pregnant, reproductive-age women who reported the use of vaginal douche products in the two months prior  to screening were enrolled. Thirty-three of these successfully completed the 16-week longitudinal study. Participants  self-collected vaginal swabs and smears twice weekly. We report sequences based on the analysis of 16S rRNA gene  sequences amplified from whole genomic DNA isolated from the swabs. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is defined by Gram's  stain of vaginal fluid (Nugent's score =7).</p>  <p>The large body of information generated will facilitate understanding of vaginal microbial community dynamics,  the etiology of BV, and drive the development of better diagnostic tools for BV. Furthermore, it is hoped that the  information will enable a more personalized treatment of BV and ultimately, prevent adverse sequelae associated  with BV.</p>

The Microbial Ecology of Bacterial Vaginosis

Vaginal microbiome of reproductive-age women

Rapid fluctuation of the vaginal microbiota measured by Gram stain analysis

Comparison of Self-Collected and Physician-Collected Vaginal Swabs for Microbiome Analysis

The effect of vaginal douching cessation on bacterial vaginosis: a pilot study.