ST6GALNAC4 and bacterial vaginosis: For example, CST-IV-A, which is associated with molecular BV in this study, has been previously linked to persistent BV in a cohort of Kenyan women36 and HIV incidence in a separate cohort of African women.37 If this holds true across populations, certain subtypes of BV may be more likely to persist and simultaneously increase the risk of sexually transmitted conditions such as CT, as shown in this study, or HIV, as observed in Africa.