Human papillomavirus infection associated dysbiosis of the cervicovaginal microbiota

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is among the most prevalent sexually transmitted viral diseases worldwide. Increasing evidence suggests that, beyond viral genotype and host immunity, the cervicovaginal microbiota plays a critical role in modulating HPV persistence and clearance.Methods We analyzed 50 cervicovaginal smear samples collected between March and December 2024, including 27 HPV-positive and 23 HPV-negative cases. HPV detection and genotyping were performed by quantitative PCR. Microbial composition was assessed using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing, followed by bioinformatic and statistical analyses.Results Alpha diversity metrics did not differ significantly between groups, indicating comparable microbial richness and evenness. However, beta diversity analysis revealed significant compositional differences associated with HPV status. Species-level profiling demonstrated a shift in dominant Lactobacillus species, characterized by reduced Lactobacillus crispatus and increased Lactobacillus iners in HPV-positive samples. Additionally, anaerobic taxa associated with dysbiosis, including Sneathia vaginalis, Fannyhessea vaginae, Megasphaera elsdenii, and Prevotella herbatica, were significantly enriched.Conclusion HPV infection is associated with compositional restructuring of the cervicovaginal microbiota rather than altered overall diversity. The transition toward an L. iners-dominant, anaerobe-enriched profile supports a role for virus-microbiota interactions in shaping vaginal ecosystem consistency. Longitudinal studies are needed to define causal relationships.