Fallopian tube microbiota: evidence beyond DNA

Aims: To determine whether cultivation-dependent and -independent analyses identifying fallopian tube bacteria were associated with visually observable microbial cells in situ using scanning electron microscopy. Patients: Fallopian tubes were collected from pre- and post-menopausal women undergoing salpingectomies for benign disease or as prophylaxis. Materials and Methods: Fresh fallopian tube samples were processed for scanning electron microscopy to characterize fallopian tube ultrastructure. Histopathology was used to exclude fallopian tube abnormalities and for menstrual cycle staging of the endometrium. Results: Scanning electron microscopy revealed observable microbial cells in Fallopian tube samples. Conclusions: In the absence of inflammatory pathology, the Fallopian tube harbours a visually observable microbial population, which correlates with cultivation-dependent and cultivation-independent data, further refuting the sterility of this anatomical niche