Specifically, vaginal lactobacilli are associated with lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in CVF (e.g., IL-1α and/or IL-8) (Sakai et al., 2004; Nikolaitchouk et al., 2008; Kyongo et al., 2012), and in the case of L. iners, higher levels of secretory leukocyte peptidase inhibitor (SLPI) (Nikolaitchouk et al., 2008), an antimicrobial peptide normally depleted in women with dysbiosis such as BV (Draper et al., 2000; Mitchell et al., 2009; Balkus et al., 2010; Dezzutti et al., 2011). The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is bacterial vaginosis.