BackgroundTraditional research on the female reproductive tract (FRT) microbiome has focused on the dominance of bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus, as a marker of health. This bacteriocentric paradigm, however, cannot fully explain clinical enigmas like the high recurrence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) or the persistence of HPV infection.
This review introduces a new pan-microbiome framework that highlights the overlooked roles of the virome and mycobiome as the ecosystem’s neglected components.MethodsWe conducted a systematic scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for studies published up to October 2025.
Inclusion criteria focused on original research and metagenomic studies examining the female reproductive tract (FRT) virome, mycobiome, and bacteriome, specifically their interactions and clinical associations with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and HPV persistence. Data were extracted and synthesized to evaluate the pan-microbiome framework.ResultsThe virome and mycobiome, despite their low biomass, are increasingly recognized as potential ecosystem modulators.
Frontiers in Immunology published a clinical update in Infectious Disease on 10 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on What is the impact of the virome and mycobiome on female reproductive tract health?
A systematic scoping review.
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