Integrative Metagenomic and Culture-Based Profiling of Vaginal Microbiome Diversity among Ethnic Groups in Armenia

The vaginal microbiome (VMB) plays a crucial role in women’s reproductive health, yet its composition and variability among different ethnic groups in Armenia have not been previously investigated using metagenomic approaches. This study aimed to characterize and compare the VMB of women from three ethnic groups—Armenians, Yezidis, and Molokans—using classical microbiological methods, MALDI-TOF MS, and 16S rRNA amplicon-based metagenomic sequencing. The analyses revealed a high level of consistency between culture-based and metagenomic data. Among the studied groups, Armenian women exhibited the greatest microbial diversity at both species and phylum levels. In women with candidiasis, a marked reduction in lactobacilli abundance and an increased presence of pathogenic species were observed. Pregnant women generally displayed a balanced, lactobacilli-dominated microbiome, although opportunistic pathogens were occasionally detected, likely due to immune modulation during pregnancy. Regional and ethnic differences were most pronounced at the phylum level. These findings represent the first comprehensive metagenomic assessment of the VMB in Armenia, providing important insights into microbial diversity across ethnic groups and its implications for women’s reproductive health.