Once again about the benefits of circumcision
Scientists of the Translational Genomics Research Institute, working under the guidance of Dr. Lance Price, have found that the removal of the foreskin leads to a significant change in the composition of the microflora inhabiting the skin of the penis.
As part of the work, samples of the microflora of 156 Ugandans participating in the world's largest randomized clinical trial of the effects of male circumcision were analyzed. The results showed that a year after the removal of the foreskin carried out as part of the study, 33.3% fewer bacteria lived on the penises of men who underwent the procedure than on the penises of men in the control group. The decrease in the number of populations spread mainly to representatives of 12 species of bacteria, most of which belong to anaerobes – organisms whose vital activity is possible only in the absence of oxygen.
Earlier studies have shown that, among other positive aspects, circumcision reduces the risk of heterosexual men contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. For heterosexual infection, HIV particles falling on the foreskin must come into contact with their target – CD4+ T-lymphocytes. These cells are localized mainly in the blood and lymph nodes. The bacteria living on the penis can contribute to infection through two mechanisms: by attracting the T-lymphocytes themselves to the skin surface, as well as by stimulating the delivery of viral particles to target cells by immune cells of another type - Langerhans cells. The authors suggest that in the absence of the final target – T-lymphocytes – Langerhans cells would simply destroy viral particles. However, further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Despite the fact that interference with the natural microflora is usually unfavorable for the body, as, for example, in cases of colitis and yeast infections after antibiotic therapy, in this case it can have a positive effect. In any case, understanding the mechanisms underlying the protective effect of circumcision can help in the development of new HIV prevention strategies.
Article by Cindy M. Liu et al. Male Circumcision Significantly Reduces The Prevalence and Load of Genital Anaerobic Bacteria published in the journal mBio.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Translational Genomics Research Institute:
TGen-led study discovers dramatic changes in bacteria following male circumcision.
18.04.2013