Description
The first nearly-complete genomes of BVAB1 derived from vaginal metagenomes
Johanna B. Holm, PhD, Michael France, PhD, Elias McComb, Bing Ma, PhD, Rebecca Brotman, MPH, PhD, Jacques Ravel, PhD
University of Maryland, MD, USA
Bacterial Vaginosis Associated Bacteria 1 (BVAB1) is an elusive bacterial species found in the human vagina that belongs to the family Lachnospiraceae within the order Clostridiales, and as its name suggests, is often associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV). In reproductive health BV is of concern due to the elevated risk for HIV, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae acquisition as well as preterm birth . BVAB1 has been shown to be associated with BV persistence after metronidazole treatment and increased vaginal inflammation, and to confer a higher risk of puerperal infections. To date BVAB1 has not been cultivated, which has made it difficult to understand its diseases associated features. We present here the first seven near-complete genomes of BVAB1, derived from metagenomes of cervicovaginal lavages. These genomes were reconstructed from 7 separate vaginal metagenomes using MegaHit and Anvi'o, and average nucleotide identity was calculated using FastANI. The genomes were 1.5-1.7 Mb long, with an average of 1,527 genes, CheckM-estimated genome completion of 98.2%, and >98% average nucleotide identity to each other. These genomes will be a valuable resource and will contribute to our understanding of the heterogenous etiologies of bacterial vaginosis.