Vaginal microecological characteristics in women across different age, maternal and disease states and their correlation with HPV infection

The aim of the present study was to investigate variations in vaginal microecology across female populations, elucidate alterations in vaginal microecology across age groups and physiological states, and provide evidence to support clinical prevention, diagnosis and treatment of vaginal diseases to safeguard women's reproductive health. A total of 200 women who underwent routine health check‑ups at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University between March and September 2024 were enrolled. According to age, subjects were divided into five groups: Group A (21‑29 years, n=40), Group B (30‑39 years, n=40), Group C (40‑49 years, n=40), Group D (50‑59 years, n=40), and Group E (≥60 years, n=40). Based on maternal status, the participants were categorized into a pregnant/postpartum group (defined as women during pregnancy or within 6 weeks postpartum, n=40) and a non‑pregnant/non‑postpartum group (women not in pregnancy or postpartum, n=40). Within the same age group, subjects were further divided into the vaginal disease group (women with vaginal diseases, n=40) and the healthy group (women with no vaginal diseases, n=40). All participants underwent tests including vaginal pH measurement, bacterial community analysis, vaginal microecological functional assays, and HPV detection. Indicators of pH, flora structure, and functional test results were compared among different age groups, maternal statuses, and disease states. The correlation between vaginal microecology and HPV infection was analyzed.