Lactobacillus strains isolated from the vaginal microbiota of healthy women inhibit Prevotella bivia and Gardnerella vaginalis in coculture and cell culture

The purpose of this study was to investigate how human vaginal isolates of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus jensenii, Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus crispatus inhibit the vaginosis-associated pathogens Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella bivia. Results show that all the strains in coculture condition reduced the viability of G. vaginalis and P. bivia, but with differing degrees of efficacy. The treatment of G. vaginalis- and P. bivia-infected cultured human cervix epithelial HeLa cells with L. gasseri strain KS120.1 culture or cell-free culture supernatant (CFCS) results in the killing of the pathogens that are adhering to the cells. The mechanism of the killing activity is not attributable to low pH and the presence of lactic acid alone, but rather to the presence of hydrogen peroxide and proteolytic enzyme-resistant compound(s) present in the CFCSs. In addition, coculture of G. vaginalis or P. bivia with L. gasseri KS120.1 culture or KS120.1 bacteria results in inhibition of the adhesion of the pathogens onto HeLa cells.     

In vitro antibacterial activity of Lactobacillus helveticus strain KS300 against diarrhoeagenic, uropathogenic and vaginosis-associated bacteria

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to investigate in vitro the antibacterial activity of the Lactobacillus helveticus strain KS300 against vaginosis-associated bacteria including Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella bivia, uropathogenic Escherichia coli, and diarrhoeagenic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. METHODS AND RESULTS: The KS300 strain inhibited the growth of G. vaginalis, P. bivia, S. typhimurium, and pathogenic E. coli. After direct co-culture, data show that the Lactobacillus strain decreased the viability of G. vaginalis, P. bivia, S. typhimurium, and pathogenic E. coli. The adhering KS300 strain inhibited the adhesion of G. vaginalis DSM 4944 and uropathogenic Dr-positive E. coli IH11128 onto HeLa cells. Moreover, the KS300 strain inhibited the internalization of uropathogenic Dr-positive E. coli IH11128 within HeLa cells and S. typhimurium SL1344 within Caco-2/TC7 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that L. helveticus strain KS300 is adhesive onto cultured human cells and has antagonistic activities against vaginosis-associated, uropathogenic and diarrhoeagenic pathogens. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Adhering L. helveticus strain KS300 is a potential probiotic strain displaying a strain-specific array of in vitro antibacterial activities.     

Real-time PCR分析滴虫性阴道炎患者微生物组成的变化

目的探寻滴虫性阴道炎患者阴道微生物组成的特点,为临床诊治及减少疾病的复发提供参考依据。方法选取2016年5-6月复旦大学附属华东医院妇科门诊45岁以下确诊为滴虫性阴道炎的育龄期患者16例,以同期18例45岁以下育龄期健康女性为对照,采集患者和健康人上阴道壁1/3处的分泌物,进行常规临床分析和革兰染色,并以21种常见的阴道细菌的特异引物进行Real-time PCR检测,分析并比较这些细菌在滴虫性阴道炎患者和健康人阴道内的组成及变化。结果在18例健康人中,其中13例的阴道微生物组成以乳酸杆菌(Lactobacillus)为优势菌,3例的阴道微生物组成无明显优势菌群或者优势菌不为检测的21种常见阴道微生物,2例的阴道微生物组成以加德纳菌为优势菌;在16例滴虫性阴道炎患者中,只有2例患者的阴道微生物菌群以乳酸杆菌为优势菌,14例以厌氧菌如普雷沃属(Prevotella)、纤毛菌(Leptotrichia)和斯尼思菌(Sneathia)为优势菌。经Metastats进行组间差异分析,结果表明Lactobacillus crispatus、Leptotrichia amnionii、Eggerthella sp.和Peptostreptococcus sp.在两组之间差异有统计学意义(P≤0.05)。PCoA主成分析结果亦显示滴虫性阴道炎患者的阴道常见21种微生物组成与健康人有显著差别。结论滴虫性阴道炎患者阴道内微生物组成的多样性增加,普雷沃属、纤毛菌及斯尼思菌的明显增高可能滴虫性阴道炎的炎症发生有关,此结果对于临床治疗滴虫性阴道炎的及减少复发提供新的方向,具有一定的指导意义。     

Response of Gardnerella vaginalis biofilm to 5 days of moxifloxacin treatment

Polymicrobial communities are often recalcitrant to antibiotics. We tested whether the polymicrobial Gardnerella vaginalis biofilm can be eradicated with moxifloxacin. Twenty women with bacterial vaginosis were treated with 400 mg moxifloxacin for 5 days. The changes in the occurrence and proportions of Gardnerella, Atopobium and Lactobacillus spp. were assessed using FISH. The bacterial biofilm was investigated using desquamated epithelial cells of spontaneously voided urine and sections of vaginal biopsies. Fifteen of 20 women showed a significant and sustained clinical response to moxifloxacin according to Amsel and Nugent criteria. The concentrations of adherent bacteria decreased significantly. The incidence and proportion of Atopobium declined sustainably. The proportions of Lactobacillus in the biofilm mass increased following therapy. Initially, Gardnerella was the main component of the polymicrobial biofilm. Following treatment, Gardnerella was not accessible to FISH in the urine and vaginal samples of 75% of all women. Ten to 12 weeks after the end of therapy, Gardnerella biofilm was cumulatively present in 40%. This was not due to newly acquired disease, but due to reactivation of the persisting, but biochemically inactive biofilm. Despite clear clinical efficacy, and initially definite suppression of the biofilm, moxifloxacin was, similar to metronidazole, not able to eradicate the Gardnerella vaginalis biofilm in all patients.     

细菌性阴道病微生态与益生菌

细菌性阴道病(BV)是育龄妇女阴道炎的最常见原因,其特征是栖居在阴道内的乳酸杆菌减少导致阴道菌群平衡失调的复杂变化。用乳酸杆菌替代抗生素是治疗BV的一种有效的治疗措施。乳酸杆菌产生过氧化氢、乳酸、杆菌素能抑制引起BV的细菌生长。多胺在BV的病理机制中有重要作用。本研究拟综述BV患者阴道菌群的变化,免疫防御反应,阴道乳酸杆菌对BV的影响,多胺的意义,益生菌在治疗选择中的作用。     

乳杆菌泡腾片治疗细菌性阴道病

目的观察10例BV患者采用了信谊制药总厂生产的阴道嗜酸乳杆菌泡腾片1个疗程(7 d)后阴道菌群的变化。方法采用7种选择或非选择培养基对阴道分泌物的细菌总数、乳杆菌等7个指标进行检测。结果治疗后阴道中乳杆菌显著增多,厌氧革兰阴性杆菌显著减少(两者P<0.001)。细菌总数、肠杆菌、酵母菌和阴道加德纳菌均减少(P<0.01)。结论信谊阴道嗜酸乳杆菌泡腾片具有较好的调整阴道微生态平衡的作用。     

Evidence for Gardnerella vaginalis uptake and internalization by squamous vaginal epithelial cells: implications for the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common condition seen in premenopausal women, is associated with preterm labor, pelvic inflammatory disease, and delivery of low birth weight infants. Gardnerella vaginalis is the predominant bacterial species associated with BV, although its exact role in the pathology of BV is unknown. Using immunofluorescence, confocal and transmission electron microscopy, we found that VK2 vaginal epithelial cells take up G. vaginalis after exposure to the bacteria. Confocal microscopy also indicated the presence of internalized G. vaginalis within vaginal epithelial cells obtained from a subject with BV. Using VK2 cells and (35)S labeled bacteria in an invasion assay, we found that a 1 h uptake of G. vaginalis was 21.8-fold higher than heat-killed G. vaginalis, 84-fold compared to Lactobacillus acidophilus and 6.6-fold compared to Lactobacillus crispatus. Internalization was inhibited by pre-exposure of cells to cytochalasin-D. In addition, the cytoskeletal protein vimentin was upregulated in VK2 cells exposed to G. vaginalis, but there was no change in actin cytoskeletal polymerization/rearrangements or vimentin subcellular relocalization post exposure. Cytoskeletal protein modifications could represent a potential mechanism for G. vaginalis mediated internalization by vaginal epithelial cells. Finally, understanding vaginal bacteria/host interactions will allow us to better understand the underlying mechanisms of BV pathogenesis.     

Bacterial vaginosis among a group of married Jordanian women: occurrence and laboratory diagnosis

A total of 310 vaginal swabs collected from a group of married Jordanian women complaining of vaginal discharge were examined for bacterial vaginosis. The scoring system of Nugent for the interpretation of Gram staining was employed. This system revealed the presence of the condition in 29.7% of patients. Results obtained using the scoring system correlated significantly with the detection of clue cells and the scarcity of white blood cells in the vaginal discharge. An inverse relationship was found between bacterial vaginosis and Lactobacillus morphotypes determined by Gram staining. No definite relationship was detected between bacterial vaginosis and the recovery of Gardnerella vaginalis by culture as this organism was isolated from swabs which according to the Nugent criterion were negative for bacterial vaginosis. Bacterial vaginosis among the women investigated was more prevalent than vaginitis caused by Trichomonas vaginalis or yeasts.     

Selection and identification of anaerobic lactobacilli producing inhibitory compounds against vaginal pathogens

Two strains of Lactobacillus crispatus (15L08 and 21L07) and one strain of Lactobacillus jensenii (5L08) were selected from amongst 100 isolates from the vaginas of healthy premenopausal women for properties relevant to mucosal colonization and the production of H2O2 and/or bacteriocin-like compound. All three strains self-aggregated and adhered to vaginal epithelial cells, displacing well-known vaginal pathogens, such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans. Lactobacillus crispatus 15L08 was characterized as a potential H2O2 producer. A high level of bacteriocin-like compound was synthesized by L. jensenii 5L08, with a bactericidal mode of action for G. vaginalis, C. albicans and Escherichia coli. However, H2O2-dependent activity alone was not sufficient to inhibit the growth of C. albicans. Simultaneous actions of H2O2 and bacteriocin-like compound produced by lactobacilli may be important for antagonizing pathogenic bacteria. These strains of lactobacilli may be excellent candidates for eventual use as probiotics to restore the normal microbial communities in the vaginal ecosystem.     

利用X-Neu5Ac为底物测定唾液酸酶活性在诊断细菌性阴道病的价值

目的利用5溴-4氯-3吲哚乙酰基神经氨酸盐（X-Neu5Ac）为底物测定阴道唾液酸酶活性诊断细菌性阴道病（bacterial vaginosis,BV）的价值.方法健康妇女30例,临床Amsel法诊断为BV的患者45例,共计75例进行了阴道分泌物分析和检测,并与唾液酸酶活性法诊断作了对比研究.取阴道分泌物作为标本分别进行唾液酸酶活性和阴道菌群定量分析,检测细菌包括乳酸杆菌、类杆菌、肠杆菌、葡萄球菌、肠球菌和阴道加德纳菌.唾液酸酶活性测定利用的底物为X-Neu5Ac,特异活性用其产物 ——甲氧基苯酚的纳摩尔数来表示.结果阴道液唾液酸酶活性测定诊断细菌性阴道病的敏感性、特异性、阳性预期值和阴性预期值分别为88.9%、90%、93%和84.3%.唾液酸酶法在检测细菌性阴道病上和传统的Amsel法比较,差异无显著性（P＞0.05）.唾液酸酶阳性组Gv活菌数（6.96 log CFU/g）明显高于唾液酸酶阴性组（2.05 log CFU/g）（P＜0.01）.唾液酸酶阳性组产H2O2阴道乳杆菌（LB＋）活菌数（4.26 Log CFU/g）明显低于唾液酸酶阴性组（8.66 Log CFU/g）（P＜0.01）.唾液酸酶阳性组与唾液酸酶阴性组两组的阴道液中需氧菌活菌数差异无显著性（P＞0.05）,主要包括金黄色葡萄球菌、肠球菌和肠杆菌.结论利用X-Neu5Ac作为唾液酸酶的底物测定唾液酸酶活性的方法是诊断细菌性阴道病的有效检测方法.阴道内唾液酸酶活性增强,厌氧菌数量增加,LB＋数量减少,提示BV发生恶化.     

Genetic and biochemical diversity of Gardnerella vaginalis strains isolated from women with bacterial vaginosis

Gardnerella vaginalis is considered a substantial player in the progression of bacterial vaginosis (BV). We analysed 17 G. vaginalis strains isolated from the genital tract of women diagnosed with BV to establish a potential link between genotypes/biotypes and the expression of virulence factors, vaginolysin (VLY) and sialidase, which are assumed to play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of BV. Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis revealed two G. vaginalis genotypes. Gardnerella vaginalis isolates of genotype 2 appeared more complex than genotype 1 and were subdivided into three subtypes. Biochemical typing allowed us to distinguish four different biotypes. A great diversity of the level of VLY production among the isolates of G. vaginalis may be related to a different cytotoxicity level of the strains. We did not find any correlation between VLY production level and G. vaginalis genotype/biotype. In contrast, a link between G. vaginalis genotype and sialidase production was established. Our findings on the diversity of VLY expression level in different clinical isolates and linking sialidase activity with the genotype of G. vaginalis could help to evaluate the pathogenic potential of different G. vaginalis strains.     

In vitro inhibitory activity of human vaginal lactobacilli against pathogenic bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis in Kenyan women

Lactobacilli have been shown to inhibit in vitro growth of many pathogens and have been used as probiotics to treat a broad range of gastrointestinal and/or vaginal disorders. We sought to determine the in vitro inhibitory potential of lactobacilli of vaginal origin to some bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), to characterize the inhibitory substances produced by these lactobacilli and to assess H₂O₂ production. Vaginal specimens were obtained by swabbing the lateral vaginal walls from 107 women two months following BV treatment. One hundred and fifty eight Lactobacillus spp. were isolated in 82 of the 107 women. Lactobacillus jensenii was the predominant strain isolated among these women (29/158; 18.4%). Among 158 culture supernatants tested for antibacterial activity against BV-associated bacteria, none inhibited the growth of Bacteroides fragilis while 23% (37/158), 28% (45/158) and 29% (46/158) inhibited the growth of Prevotella bivia, Gardnerella vaginalis and Mobiluncus spp. respectively. The lactobacilli produced supernatants with a pH range between 2.62 and 6.71; the highly acidic (pH 2–3.99) supernatants were more inhibitory to the indicator strains. There was significant reduction in the mean zones of inhibition following chemical and physical treatment of the supernatants (p = 0.0025). Acid, bacteriocins and H₂O₂ demonstrated potential for antagonism of the bacterial pathogens. These substances may augment each other rather that each working independently on the pathogens.     

Microbial interactions in the vaginal ecosystem, with emphasis on the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis

During bacterial vaginosis (BV), populations of lactobacilli which are generally dominant in the vagina of overtly healthy women are replaced by other facultative and anaerobic microorganisms. Some Lactobacillus strains produce hydrogen peroxide and all produce lactic acid; however, the antagonistic role of these metabolites in vivo remains controversial. Positive interactions among BV-associated organisms may contribute to the pathogenesis of BV and its sequelae.     

The use of the biotherapeutic agent Zhlemik for correcting the microflora in bacterial vaginosis

The vaginal microflora in 11 women suffering with bacterial vaginosis was corrected by BTA "Zlemik" contained highly adhesive strain Lactobacillus. BTA was administered intravaginal in dose 1 suppositoria at night during 15 days. It was established in majority cases that clinical symptoms and discharges have disappeared. The value of pH has decreased from 5.6-6.2 to 4.6-4.8. After biotherapeutic therapy significantly increased of the levels of Lactobacillus and percentage of the presence Bifidobacterium. The number of non-spore-forming obligatory anaerobic bacteria, Streptococcus and Gardnerella decreased in 10 and 100 times respectively.     

The influence of anaerobic bacteria and mycoplasma isolated from the genital tract on mast cell activation

Nowadays, it is known that mast cells, numerously appearing in all organs and being a source of a wide range of mediators and cytokines, are involved both in physiological and pathological processes. The aim of our study was to examine whether vaginal bacteria, especially those participating in Bacterial vaginosis, are able to activate mast cells to mediators secretion. The study was done on rat peritoneal mast cells. The mast cells were incubated in vitro with suspensions of Bacteroides capillosus, Actinomyces naeslundii (2 strains), Peptostreptococcus spp., Lactobacillus fermentum (2 strains), Mycoplasma hominis or Ureaplasma urealyticum killed by temperature. Activation of mast cells was estimated on the basis of histamine release. It was established that M. hominis, U. urealyticum and B. capillosus strongly stimulated rat mast cells to histamine secretion (histamine release 53.0%, 17.4% and 10.0%, respectively). Histamine release induced by Peptostreptococcus spp., A. naeslundii and L. fermentum was lower (at a range of 2.4%-8.2%). The obtained results can suggest that presumably interactions between vaginal bacteria and placental mast cells could influence the course of pregnancy.     

健康妇女及3例细菌性阴道病患者阴道菌群的非培养分析

根据Amsel标准及Nugent标准,确诊筛选健康妇女及细菌性阴道病(bacterial vaginosis,BV)患者各3例.提取其阴道分泌物样本的总DNA,构建16S rRNA基因克隆文库,并对阳性克隆进行ARDRA和测序分析.结果表明,健康妇女样本的基因文库中,分别以卷曲乳酸杆菌(L.crispatus)和惰性乳酸杆菌(L. iners)的克隆子占较大比例,另外存在少量的阴道乳酸杆菌(L.vaginalis)或詹氏乳酸杆菌(L.jensenii)的克隆子.BV患者样本的基因文库中,克隆子所代表的菌种类型明显增多,但均以阴道加德纳氏菌(Gardnerella vaginalis)和阴道阿托波氏菌(Atopobium vaginae)的克隆子占较大比例,且无乳酸杆菌克隆子.说明健康妇女阴道菌群的种类单一,以乳酸杆菌占优势,L. iners为优势菌种之一;BV患者阴道菌群的种类复杂多样,但均以Gardnerella vaginalis及Atopobium vaginae共同占优势.     

健康妇女及3例细菌性阴道病患者阴道菌群的非培养分析

根据Amsel标准及Nugent标准, 确诊筛选健康妇女及细菌性阴道病(bacterial vaginosis, BV)患者各3例。提取其阴道分泌物样本的总DNA, 构建16S rRNA基因克隆文库, 并对阳性克隆进行ARDRA和测序分析。结果表明, 健康妇女样本的基因文库中, 分别以卷曲乳酸杆菌(L. crispatus)和惰性乳酸杆菌(L. iners)的克隆子占较大比例, 另外存在少量的阴道乳酸杆菌(L. vaginalis)或詹氏乳酸杆菌(L. jensenii)的克隆子。BV患者样本的基因文库中, 克隆子所代表的菌种类型明显增多, 但均以阴道加德纳氏菌(Gardnerella vaginalis)和阴道阿托波氏菌(Atopobium vaginae)的克隆子占较大比例, 且无乳酸杆菌克隆子。说明健康妇女阴道菌群的种类单一, 以乳酸杆菌占优势, L. iners为优势菌种之一; BV患者阴道菌群的种类复杂多样, 但均以Gardnerella vaginalis及Atopobium vaginae共同占优势。     

需氧菌阴道炎、细菌性阴道病阴道菌群分析

用阴道分泌物直接涂片、革兰染色、选择性培养分离和细菌预成酶谱分析等微生物学方法和生物化学方法,分析了正常女性、AV、BV患者的阴道菌群。正常女性阴道中以乳酸杆菌为主,产H2O2乳酸杆菌的检出率89%,AV的致病菌主要是革兰阳性率需氧菌、检出率可达80%,其中金黄色葡萄球菌,粪肠球菌和埃希氏大肠菌较为常见,B族链球菌的检出率较低;BV的致病菌主要是厌氧菌,以革兰阴性厌氧菌的检出率最高,加德纳菌的检出率不足40%。48例BV患者中有8例合并AV感染,31例AV患者中有6例合并BV感染。细菌谱分析发现,AV患者易感染消化链球菌、普雷沃菌等厌氧菌和加德纳菌,BV患者易感染粪肠球菌、大肠埃希菌等需氧菌。     

Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis in Women Attending Family Planning Clinics

Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in 242 women attending family planning clinics in Concepción, Chile was studied using the Nugent criteria. The syndrome was present in 33.1% of women. No statistical difference was found between the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis and the of oral contraceptives (31.9%) or intrauterine devices (33.1%). The sensitivity and specificity of the Nugent criteria compared with the Amsel criteria were 86.7% and 91.0%, respectively. Vaginal fluid pH and appearance had low specificity in this population. Microorganisms associated with bacterial vaginosis were Gardnerella vaginalis (96.3%), Prevotella/Porphyromonas (70%),Mobiluncus spp. (48.8%), Mycoplasma hominis (21.3%) and Ureaplasma urelyticum 21.3). These results suggest that preventive actions and management of clinical infection to prevent complications are needed.