IL1B and bacterial vaginosis: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by commensal microbiota play an anti-inflammatory role in the gut (100); however, high concentrations (20 mM) of some SCFAs (acetate and butyrate) that are prevalent in BV induce PBMC production of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-1β at neutral pH, which resembles the pH of vagina.