Majoalane Ramatsebe
PhD Fellow; University of the Witwatersrand
I am a highly accomplished, quick learner with impressive hands-on knowledge base in academic training on molecular medicine and clinical microbiology and infectious diseases; with experience in HIV/AIDS and maternal health (especially the vaginal microbiome and adverse pregnancy outcomes). Regarded by colleagues and mentors as an outstanding individual who is committed to excellence in this field; as demonstrated by an exceptional academic achievement. Demonstrates thorough and detailed research capabilities. I aspire to make a difference in health issues pertaining to women and children, as they are the most vulnerable. With the current research topic: “Molecular evaluation of the association of the vaginal microbiome and adverse pregnancy outcomes in South Africa”, my involvement in this regard, has made me realise that we (medical science fraternity) are still yet to explore more on these types of research.
Abstract
An abnormal vaginal microbiome (VMB) during pregnancy has been suggested to be a risk factor for poor birth outcomes, including pre-term birth and stillbirth. We evaluated a quantitative nanofluidic Open Array assay to assess the composition of the VMB in South African pregnant women.
Pregnant Black-African women had vaginal swabs collected at delivery. Detailed demographic, clinical, and delivery information was recorded. An Open Array assay was set up to detect 52 microorganisms that are commonly found in the vaginal environment, including 42 bacteria, 6 viruses and 4 fungi. All respective reactions were optimised according to the Minimum Information for Publication of Quantitative Real-Time PCR experiments (MIQE).
Overall, 729 vaginal swab samples were collected, including 162 and 381 from women living with and without HIV, respectively. One hundred and fifty-five women delivered a pre-term baby and 31 had a stillbirth. All assays included in the open array assay were effective in amplifying their respective targets with high sensitivity, specificity, and linearity. The efficiencies of all assays ranged from 90% to 103%. Within the linear dynamic range, the correlation coefficients of all assays were ≥0.98. Further, all assays showed high analytical sensitivities with their respective primer and probe pairs with the limit of detection (LOD) equivalent to 10 copies per PCR for all respective assays, with the exception of primers/probes for the detection of Bacteroides vulgatus, Eggerthella lenta, Prevotella intermedia and Veilonella parvula in which the LOD was 10-fold less sensitive (100 copies per PCR).
We have successfully set up a custom nanofluidic PCR assay that can simultaneously detect 52 microorganisms. This assay will be used to test vaginal swabs in order to understand whether there is an association between the maternal VMB, which is amenable to interventions, and adverse birth outcomes. The results will be presented at a future meeting.