Establishment of the Human Intestinal and Salivary Microbiota Biobank - Gynecological Diseases

The primary aim of this monocentric study is to populate the first national microbioma biobank with biological samples (fecal, salivary, urinary and vaginsl samples) subjects suffering from selected disease disease and healthy volunteers.

The secondary aim is the characterization of microorganisms of the biobank and study of the microbiota-pathology relationship using meta-omics, in vitro and in vivo approaches, The study plans to enrol 100 subjects at Policlinic of Bari, according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The study participation is voluntary, and the subjects have the right to withdraw from the study at any time and for any reason.

During the study, 3 visits are planned:

• Visit 0 (V0), including description of the objectives and procedures study, signature written informed consent, inclusion/exclusion criteria evaluation, medical examination (blood pressure measurement, abdominal and thoracic physical examination), filling in of the anamnestic questionnaire, delivery of kits for the collection of fecal, salivary and urinary material to be reported at Visit 1 and delivery of a 3-day food diary, to be completed autonomously in the days preceding the Visit 1.
• Visit 1 (V1) - at least 4 days after V0, including delivery of the of the collected biological material (feces, saliva, urine), and of a 3-day food diary, filling in of the new signs and symptoms anamnestic questionnaire and collection of the vaginal swab by medical staff.
• Telephone evaluation: administration of a "Food Frequency Questionnaire" to assess the subjects' alimentary habits.

Standard Operative Procedures (SOP) for samples storing, transport and processing will be adopted to ensure samples stability and grant results validity and quality.

Following collections, samples will be processed in different aliquots that will be used for:

• routine screening;
• storage in the first Italian human microbiote biobank (I.R.C.C.S. - Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari);
• evaluation of the proteomic, metascriptomic, metabolomic, metagenomic, and metagenetic profile.

Furthermore, molecular characterization of pathogenic microorganisms and pathogenic biotypes (pathovars) of commensal species of subjects with selected pathologies will be conducted.

Part of the biological material will be used for animal studies on the physiopathological role of the human intestinal microbiota transplanted into mouse models of pathology and Germ-free mouse models (specific animal study protocol developed).

The study foresees no more than minimal risk associated with blood sampling procedures. All the necessary measures to avoid any risks / inconveniences resulting from participation of the subject under study will be taken.

The study is compliant with Good Clinical Practice. Study protocol and all related documents have been approved by approved by the Independent Ethics Committees (IEC) of the involved clinical sites.

To ensure the protection and confidentiality of the participants' data, all study activities will be carried out in accordance with the European General Data Protection Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2016/679, which repeals Directive 95/46/EC.

Inclusion criteria

HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

• healthy subjects aged between 18 and 45 years, in reproductive age
• BMI between 18.5-30
• omnivorous diet
• signature of the informed consent

PATIENTS WITH RECIDIVING CERVIC VAGINITIS

• healthy subjects aged between 18 and 45 years, in reproductive age
• Patients suffering from at least 3 episodes of relapsing cervicovaginitis per year: diagnosis of anaerobic vaginitis (AV) or bacterial vaginosis (BV) or vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (VVC) based on clinical symptoms and positive microscopic examination and / or positive vaginal culture
• BMI between 18.5-30
• omnivorous diet
• signature of the informed consent

PATIENTS WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS

Inclusion criteria

• aged between 18 and 45 years, in reproductive age
• patients with endometriosis: diagnosis of endometriosis carried out with transvaginal ultrasound with associated elevation of CA125
• BMI between 18.5-30
• omnivorous diet
• signature of the informed consent

PATIENTS WITH REPEATED IMPLANT FAILURES (RIF)

Inclusion criteria

• age between 18 and 45 years in reproductive age
• patients with RIF: patients who have followed PMA protocols with at least 3 failed attempts after transfer of good quality embryos
• BMI between 18.5-30
• omnivorous diet
• signature of the informed consent

Exclusion criteria

HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

• Current or previous infectious diseases (HAV, HBV, HCV, HIV, Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus)
• HPV positive
• Chronic liver disease
• History of Clostridium difficile infections
• Recent (<3 months) therapy with antibiotics, immunosuppressive drugs, chemotherapy
• Chronic therapy with proton pump inhibitors
• Recent (<3 months) use of probiotics, laxatives or other aids (drugs / supplements) for the regulation of gastrointestinal activity
• Previous history of organ / tissue transplantation
• Recent onset of diarrhea
• Chronic diarrhea
• Chronic constipation
• Previous gastrointestinal surgery (eg gastric bypass)
• Recurring urinary tract infections (3 cases per year)
• Previous major acute cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, stroke)
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Hypertension
• eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) lower than 60ml / minute and / or diagnosis of nephropathy
• Chronic gastrointestinal disorders
• Systemic inflammatory diseases
• Suspicion, clinical diagnosis or previous history of cancer (<5 years)
• Autoimmune disorders or history of chronic and systemic autoimmune disorders
• Neurodegenerative disorders
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Hormonal and / or intrauterine contraceptive therapy
• Healthcare workers
• Operators work with animals
• Psychiatric conditions that reduce protocol compliance.

Exclusion criteria

POPULATION 2 - PATIENTS WITH RECIDIVING CERVIC VAGINITIS/ POPULATION 3 - PATIENTS WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS/ POPULATION 4 - PATIENTS WITH REPEATED IMPLANT FAILURES (RIF)

• Current or previous infectious diseases (HAV, HBV, HCV, HIV, Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus)
• Chronic liver disease
• History of Clostridium difficile infections
• Recent (<3 months) therapy with antibiotics, immunosuppressive drugs, chemotherapy
• Chronic therapy with proton pump inhibitors
• Recent (<3 months) use of probiotics, laxatives or other aids (drugs / supplements) for the regulation of gastrointestinal activity
• Previous history of organ / tissue transplantation
• Recent onset of diarrhea
• Chronic diarrhea
• Chronic constipation
• Previous gastrointestinal surgery (eg gastric bypass)
• Recurring urinary tract infections (3 cases per year)
• Previous major acute cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, stroke)
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Hypertension
• eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) lower than 60ml / minute and / or diagnosis of nephropathy
• Chronic gastrointestinal disorders
• Systemic inflammatory diseases
• Suspicion, clinical diagnosis or previous history of cancer (<5 years)
• Autoimmune disorders or history of chronic and systemic autoimmune disorders
• Neurodegenerative disorders
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Hormonal and / or intrauterine contraceptive therapy
• Healthcare workers
• Operators work with animals
• Psychiatric conditions that reduce protocol compliance.