Impact of Experimental Tuberculosis on Fertility of Female BALB/c Mice.

The study revealed no effects of pregnancy and childbirth on the course of tuberculosis in female BALB/c mice after aerosol infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, we demonstrated a negative effect of tuberculosis infection on the fertility of infected females, which manifested in a longer period from mating to pregnancy and in a smaller litter size. Impaired reproductive function in response to the effect of the systemic infectious process was accompanied by the development of immunosuppression confirmed by an immunological test (delayed-type hypersensitivity to tuberculin) and the formation of genital tract dysbiosis during pregnancy and postpartum period.

Attenuated Strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis BN: Characteristics.

We evaluated the vaccine properties of a novel attenuated strain of M. tuberculosis BN (Mtb BN) and its impact on the gut microbiota in inbred female mice in comparison with a virulent strain Mtb H37Rv and a vaccine strain BCG. The Mtb BN strain demonstrated the highest anti-tuberculosis vaccine effect in I/St mice highly susceptible to tuberculosis infection and the same effect as BCG in mice of the recombinant strain B6.I-100 and in ß2 microglobulin gene knockout mice. No adverse effects of the new Mtb BN strain on the gut microbiota of BALB/c mice were revealed. The virulent strain Mtb H37Rv and the vaccine strain BCG decreased the main indicators of normocenosis (Bifidobacterium spp., Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, Akkermansia, and Erysipelotrichaceae) and led to disappearance of Clostridium perfingens, E. coli, Pseudomonas spp., which contributed to reduction of species diversity and the development of dysbiosis.

Efficacy of BCG Vaccination Depends on Host Genetics.

We studied the effectiveness of anti-tuberculosis vaccination with BCG in mice of inbred strains and F1 hybrids (highly resistant to tuberculosis infection) that represent a wide range of genetically determined differences in susceptibility to infection with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The greatest relative effect was found in susceptible mice, with the exception of highly susceptible I/St mice that were practically not protected by vaccination. Despite significant effect of vaccination in inbred mice, their resistance to M. tuberculosis infection did not exceed that of non-vaccinated highly resistant F1 hybrids.

Changes in Microbiota and Development of Nonspecific Inflammation of Genitals in Female C57Bl/6 Mice after Aerosol Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Infectious process even at the initial stage after aerosol infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis induced rapid changes in vaginal microbiota in mice. Rapid decrease in both the quantity and diversity of microbiota was noted, and then, partial recovery of normal flora was observed. Changes in vaginal microbiota was detected as soon as in 3-7 days after lung infection, while inflammatory changes appeared by day 35. At the early stage of infection, no signs of inflammation were observed, neither M. tuberculosis nor its DNA were detected in mouse genital organs.

Peculiarities of the Inflammatory Process in the Reproductive Organs of C57Bl/6 Female Mice with Experimental Tuberculosis.

Intravenous infection of C57Bl/6 female mice with M. tuberculosis H37Rv led to involvement of the lungs and dissemination of the tuberculous infection to the abdominal and pelvic organs. M. tuberculosis were detected in the lungs and spleen in 14, 35, and 90 days and in the uterine horns in 90 days after infection. Morphological analysis of organs showed successive development of exudative necrotic tuberculosis of the lungs, acute and chronic nonspecific inflammation in the reproductive organs (vagina, uterus, and uterine horns). The inflammatory process in the reproductive organs was associated with the development of anaerobic dysbiosis, that was most pronounced in 35 days after infection. Antituberculous therapy was followed by reduction of M. tuberculosis count in the lungs and spleen in 60 and 90 days after infection, eliminatation of M. tuberculosis in the uterine horns, arrest of nonspecific inflammation in female reproductive organs, recovery of the balance between aerobic and anaerobic microflora, and development of candidiasis of the urogenital mucosa.

[The impact of tuberculosis and chemotherapy on female reproductive health]. / Vliianie tuberkuleznoi infektsii i khimioterapii na reproduktivnoe zdorov'e zhenshchiny.

The paper outlines a concise review of Russian and foreign literature on the specific features of the course of respiratory tuberculosis in reproductive-aged women. It shows the impact of active tuberculosis and massive chemotherapy on the reproductive system, analyzes clinical symptoms, immediate and long-term consequences, and prognosis of future reproductive function. The timely diagnosis and optimal correction of reproductive disorders in women with respiratory tuberculosis can improve their quality of life, fertile capacities, and birth of a successive healthy offspring.