In addition to providing more comprehensive surveys of vaginal microbial communities, 16S rRNA gene sequencing has led to the identification of previously unrecognized BV‐associated bacteria in the order Clostridiales; BVAB1, BVAB2 and BVAB3 (now isolated and classified as Mageeibacillus indolicus) 159, 160, 161, and cpn60 sequencing has been utilized to resolve different G. vaginalis subgroups which may have variable clinical and pathological relevance for BV 162, 163, 164, 165, 166. The gene discussed is HSPD1; the disease is bacterial vaginosis.