Clinical microbiology articles from across Nature Portfolio

In this issue of Nature Metabolism, a gut bacterial glucosidase that degrades the antidiabetic drug acarbose is linked to poor treatment response. Its widespread distribution in the human microbiome could compromise the efficacy of acarbose treatment in many patients.

Brown et al. perform a randomized trial with 218 women and show that the copper intrauterine device contraceptive disrupts the vaginal microbiota.

Probiotics given to preterm infants not only persist but restructure early-life microbiota, which presents an opportunity to optimize developmental outcomes and a responsibility to fully understand the long-term consequences.

Elizabeth Anne Bukusi is a research professor in obstetrics and gynaecology and global health at the University of Washington and a senior principal clinical research scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Her research focuses on sexually transmitted infections, reproductive health and HIV prevention, care and treatment.

Understanding the interplay between the microbiome and menopause holds promise for new interventions to alleviate menopausal symptoms and improve quality of life for women.