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CompletedNCT00576797VMUpdated Feb 2, 2016

Genomic Tools for Studying the Ecology of the Human Vaginal Microflora

An observational study in Healthy, sponsored by Emory University. Completed at 3 sites in United States. Open to female participants aged 12 Years to 45 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2016-02-02.

Sponsored by Emory University · Observational

Study type
Observational
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
396
Ages
12 Years to 45 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

The human vagina contains a large number of normal bacteria. These bacteria are important because provide protection against other bacteria that may cause disease. Several important diseases are linked to abnormal bacteria in the vagina. Women with abnormal bacteria in the vagina are more likely to be infected with human immunodeficiency virus, the virus that causes AIDS. Also women with unusual bacteria in their vagina are more likely to deliver a premature baby when they are pregnant. For these reasons, it is important to have a better understanding of the normal bacteria of the vagina.Some bacteria found in the vagina can not be grown in a laboratory. Our preliminary studies indicate a very wide variety of bacteria in the vagina. Also we have shown there are some differences between African American and Caucasian women. The goal of our study is to study the bacteria in the vagina of normal women using the latest technology. This technology involves study the bacterial DNA present in the normal microbes in the vagina

Read the detailed description

The normal vaginal bacteria in healthy women of reproductive age plays a key role in preventing successful colonization by "undesirable" organisms including those responsible for bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infections. Our long-term goal is to develop an accurate understanding of the vagina microbial ecosystem in normal, healthy women as an essential prerequisite for comprehending how the normal microflora reduces the risk of acquiring these common vaginal infections.

Four hundred women will be recruited such that there will be equal distribution among four self-declared ethnic groups (Caucasian, African-American, Hispanic and Asian). These groupings were selected based on the original Forney study that identified different distributions supergroups of dominant vaginal microflora between African-American and Caucasian women.

The experimental focus of this proposal is to use a combination of culture-independent methods (T-RFLP of 16S rRNA, 16SrRNA and recA genes sequence analysis and community genomics) to develop tools aimed at advancing our understanding of the composition and role of individual organisms and communities that make up the ecosystems of human vaginas . The specific aims are designed to develop genomic tools for the research and clinical scientific community to study the ecology of the human vaginal microflora

02

Conditions studied

  • Healthy

Keywords

  • vaginal
  • bacteria
  • microflora
  • bacterial DNA
  • To determine the normal bacteria in the vagina
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Emory University is the lead sponsor of 1,386 studies on the registry; 236 are open to participants now.

Of its 229 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 174 (76%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
12 Years to 45 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Asian, African American, Hispanic, or Cauasian women between the ages of 12 to 45 years old

Inclusion criteria

  • Between the ages of 12 and 45
  • Regular menstrual cycles from 21 to 35 days long
  • Normal healthy volunteer
  • Negative urine pregnancy test
  • Ability to understand and sign informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Used douches, vaginal medications or suppositories, feminine sprays, genital wipes, or contraceptive spermicides in the past 48 hours
  • Sexually active in the past 48 hours (involving female genitalia)
  • Pregnancy (by history or testing)
  • Use of antibiotics or antifungal drugs within the past 30 days
  • Have chronic illnesses such as kidney failure, diabetes or HIV/AIDS
  • Self-reported vaginal discharge in the past 48 hours
  • Currently menstruating
  • Currently participating in a drug or treatment clinical research trial
  • Received a vaccine within the last 30 days
  • Received a vaccine against a bacterial infection
  • Currently using NuvaRing for contraception
  • Any other condition that in the opinion of the investigator would place the subject in unacceptable risk for participation in the study
05

Study design

Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
396 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No
Biospecimen retention
Samples with dna
06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. descriptive analysis of vaginal microbiome

    Time frame: completed

Secondary outcomes

  1. correlate vaginal microbiome to other demographic information, Nugent score and vaginal pH

    Time frame: completed

07

Study locations

3 sites
  • Emory University
    Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
  • Adolescent and Young Adult Center (AYAC),UMB
    Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
  • Center for Vaccine Development, University of Maryland
    Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Feb 2, 2016, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00576797
Lead sponsor
Emory University
Collaborators
University of Maryland, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Responsible party
Kevin Ault, MD (Principal Investigator, Emory University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Dec 19, 2007
Start date
May 2008
Primary completion
Jan 2009
Completion
Jan 2009
Last update
Feb 2, 2016

Study contacts

Jacques Ravel, phD
principal investigator · University of Maryland

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is completed, as verified in Feb 2016. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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