Vaginal health is closely linked to the balance of bacteria in the microbiome, in particular certain species of Lactobacillus. When this balance is disturbed, a condition known as dysbiosis – it can cause an increased risk of infections, complications during pregnancy and other long -term health problems. Despite this risk, existing diagnostic methods often fail, especially in detection Lactobacillus inesAn important vaginal bacteria, which does not always present itself under a microscope or in laboratory crops. Researchers at Vanderbilt University are working to change this using a powerful optical technique known as improved surface raman spectroscopy (SERS) to analyze the biochemical fingerprints of vaginal fluid.
In a pilot study published in Biophotonic discoveryThe researchers collected vaginal liquid samples of 19 participants during routine gynecological examinations. They used two different devices – a laboratory raman microscope and a portable raman spectrometer to record SERS spectra of each sample. These spectra reveal the biochemical composition of the liquid, including the presence of proteins, lipids, organic acids and sugars. The team then used a molecular technique called quantitative PCR to identify if the key microbes were present, focusing on Lactobacillus ines, Lactobacillus curled, Gardnerella Vaginaliset Streptococcus agalactiae.
By comparing the sample spectra of samples with different microbial compositions, the researchers found coherent biochemical signatures. The presence of Gardnerella Vaginalis (G. vaginal), a microbe linked to bacterial vaginosis has been marked by an increase in protein signals and lipids and a decrease in trends in the organic acid content that align with what is known in its role in the disturbance of the vaginal environment. On the other hand, Lactobacillus ines (L. INERS), a protective microbe that can be difficult to detect with current methods, was associated with high levels of organic acids and reduced signals of proteins and polysaccharides. These models were visible not only with high -end laboratory equipment but also with the more accessible portable device.
In particular, the samples containing G. vaginal came from participants without any infection or diagnosed symptoms. This suggests that the SERS may be able to identify discrepancies at an early or subclinical stage in the microbiome before becoming clinically obvious – a critical advance for prevention and early intervention.
The results also highlight how the SERS could be used in routine monitoring of vaginal health, especially if it is integrated into service point devices. The portable Raman system has produced similar results under the benchmark microscope, showing that precise biochemical readings do not necessarily require a complete laboratory configuration.
Although it is a pilot study and only a limited number of bacterial species has been evaluated, the study provides proof of concept for the use of the Sers to detect significant changes in the vaginal microbiome. Future studies aim to extend the pool of participants and to use genetic sequencing for a wider microbial analysis. But even in its current form, research demonstrates a promising route to follow for better, faster and less subjective women’s diagnoses.