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Access Microbiology 2023Skin flora bacteria, such as , are the predominant contaminants of blood products used for transfusion. Platelet concentrates (PCs), a therapeutic product used to treat...
Skin flora bacteria, such as , are the predominant contaminants of blood products used for transfusion. Platelet concentrates (PCs), a therapeutic product used to treat patients with platelet deficiencies, are stored at ambient temperature under agitation, providing ideal conditions for bacterial proliferation. At Canadian Blood Services, PCs are screened for microbial contamination using the automated BACT/ALERT culture system. Positive cultures are processed and contaminating organisms are identified using the VITEK 2 system. Over a period of approximately 2 years, several PC isolates were identified as to a high level of confidence. However, since is associated with bacterial vaginosis and is not a common PC contaminant, a retrospective investigation revealed that in all cases was misidentified as . Our investigation demonstrated that the media type used to grow PC bacterial isolates can have a significant impact on the results obtained on the VITEK 2 system. Furthermore, other identification methods such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALD-TOF MS) and PCR amplification of the 16S RNA gene were only partially successful in the identification of . Therefore, our findings support a multiphasic approach when PC isolates are identified as by the VITEK 2 system for proper identification of using macroscopic, microscopic and other biochemical analyses.
PubMed: 37424557
DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000539.v3 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2021Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age and has been associated with serious health complications, mainly in pregnant...
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age and has been associated with serious health complications, mainly in pregnant women. It is characterized by a decrease in the number of species in the healthy vaginal microbiota and an overgrowth of strict and facultative anaerobic bacteria that develop a polymicrobial biofilm. Despite over 60 years of research investigating BV, its etiology is not fully understood. spp. is a crucial microorganism that contributes to the formation of the biofilm and the development of BV, but the role of other BV-associated bacteria is not clear. Nevertheless, (previously known as ) is a highly specific species for BV, and co-colonization with is thought to be a very specific diagnostic marker. The diagnosis of BV still presents some limitations, since currently used methods often fail to accurately detect BV. This work aims to develop a novel peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe targeting . This probe was further validated in a multiplex assay, which included a specific PNA probe, as a possible method for diagnosis of BV, and was compared with quantification by qPCR. The new PNA probe showed excellent sensitivity and specificity and could discriminate - biofilms, confirming the potential to be used for the detection of BV-associated pathogens.
Topics: Actinobacteria; Female; Gardnerella vaginalis; Humans; Pregnancy; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 34869078
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.779376 -
American Journal of Reproductive... Feb 2018Toll-like (TLR) receptor genetic variants have been implicated in bacterial vaginosis (BV). We determined whether TLR variants are associated with fastidious... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PROBLEM
Toll-like (TLR) receptor genetic variants have been implicated in bacterial vaginosis (BV). We determined whether TLR variants are associated with fastidious BV-associated microbes that are linked with infertility following pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
METHOD OF STUDY
Sneathia spp., Atopobium vaginae, BVAB1, and Ureaplasma urealyticum were measured in 250 women from the PID Evaluation and Clinical Health (PEACH) study. Relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated adjusting for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Principal component analysis was used to adjust for population stratification. A false discovery rate q-value of 0.05 was significant.
RESULTS
TLR2-1733C>A (P = .003) and TLR2-616A>G (P = .004) were associated with cervical A. vaginae. TLR2-1733C>A and TLR6-438C>T were associated with A. vaginae detection in the endometrium, but this was not significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons (FDR q-value = 0.06).
CONCLUSION
Host gene variants in TLR2 signaling pathways were modestly associated with cervical A. vaginae in women with clinical PID.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Corynebacterium; Corynebacterium Infections; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endometrium; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genotype; Humans; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Principal Component Analysis; Risk; Signal Transduction; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Toll-Like Receptors; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Young Adult
PubMed: 29286178
DOI: 10.1111/aji.12804 -
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases Feb 2009Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition that recurs frequently, adversely affecting women's lives, and is associated with complications including increased risk of... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition that recurs frequently, adversely affecting women's lives, and is associated with complications including increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and adverse pregnancy outcome.
RECENT FINDINGS
New molecular techniques have increased our understanding of the numerous bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis, and a biofilm containing mostly Gardnerella and Atopobium vaginae, which can persist after treatment has been described. Suppressive treatment with metronidazole gel can suppress recurrence. Physiological approaches such as acidification and probiotics have been investigated with variable results.
SUMMARY
Advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis allow the opportunity to improve treatments to prevent recurrence, which may require a combination of modalities. We must find ways to help affected women and reduce the complications associated with bacterial vaginosis.
Topics: Actinobacteria; Biofilms; Chemoprevention; Female; Gardnerella; Humans; Metronidazole; Secondary Prevention; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 19532085
DOI: 10.1097/QCO.0b013e32832180c6 -
Genome Announcements Sep 2015We report the draft genome sequence of a vaginal isolate of Atopobium vaginae vaginae (strain 44061), an organism linked to bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common...
We report the draft genome sequence of a vaginal isolate of Atopobium vaginae vaginae (strain 44061), an organism linked to bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common gynecological infection in the United States. This species is often highly resistant to metronidazole, which is a front-line therapy for BV. Strain 44061 is a metronidazole-susceptible isolate (MIC, 16 µg/ml), and its genome sequence will be useful for comparative studies to elucidate the molecular basis of metronidazole resistance in this species.
PubMed: 26337886
DOI: 10.1128/genomeA.00991-15 -
Sexually Transmitted Infections Mar 2013To investigate if the participation of Atopobium vaginae, Megasphaera sp. and Leptotrichia sp. in the bacterial community of bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with...
OBJECTIVES
To investigate if the participation of Atopobium vaginae, Megasphaera sp. and Leptotrichia sp. in the bacterial community of bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with distinct patterns of this condition.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional controlled study, 205 women with BV and 205 women with normal flora were included. Vaginal rinsing samples were obtained for measuring the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and bacterial sialidases. Real-time PCR was used to quantify the BV-associated bacteria and to estimate the total bacterial load using the 16S rRNA. Principal component analysis (PCA) using the measured parameters was performed to compare the BV samples with lower and higher loads of the species of interest.
RESULTS
Higher bacterial load (p<0.001), levels of interleukin 1-β (p<0.001) and sialidase activity (p<0.001) were associated with BV. Women with BV and higher relative loads of A vaginae, Megasphaera sp. and Leptotrichia sp. presented increased sialidase activity, but unchanged cytokine levels. PCA analysis did not indicate a different pattern of BV according to the loads of A vaginae, Megasphaera sp. and Leptotrichia sp.
CONCLUSIONS
Greater participation of A vaginae, Megasphaera sp. and Leptotrichia sp. in vaginal bacterial community did not indicate a less severe form of BV; moreover, it was associated with increased sialidase activity.
Topics: Actinobacteria; Adolescent; Adult; Bacterial Load; Biota; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cytokines; Female; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Leptotrichia; Megasphaera; Middle Aged; Neuraminidase; RNA, Bacterial; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Vaginal Douching; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Young Adult
PubMed: 23076402
DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2012-050616 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Feb 2004Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial syndrome characterized by a change in vaginal flora away from predominantly Lactobacillus species. The cause of BV is...
BACKGROUND
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial syndrome characterized by a change in vaginal flora away from predominantly Lactobacillus species. The cause of BV is unknown, but the condition has been implicated in diverse medical outcomes. The bacterium Atopobium vaginae has been recognized only recently. It is not readily identified by commercial diagnostic kits. Its clinical significance is unknown but it has recently been isolated from a tuboovarian abcess.
METHODS
Nucleotide sequencing of PCR amplified 16S rRNA gene segments, that were separated into bands within lanes on polyacrylamide gels by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), was used to examine bacterial vaginal flora in 46 patients clinically described as having normal (Lactobacillus spp. predominant; Nugent score < or = 3) and abnormal flora (Nugent score > or = 4). These women ranged in age from 14 to 48 and 82% were African American.
RESULTS
The DGGE banding patterns of normal and BV-positive patients were recognizably distinct. Those of normal patients contained 1 to 4 bands that were focused in the centre region of the gel lane, while those of BV positive patients contained bands that were not all focused in the center region of the gel lane. More detailed analysis of patterns revealed that bands identified as Atopobium vaginae were present in a majority (12/22) of BV positive patients, while corresponding bands were rare (2/24) in normal patients. (P < 0.001) Two A. vaginae isolates were cultivated from two patients whose DGGE analyses indicated the presence of this organism. Two A. vaginae 16S rRNA gene sequences were identified among the clinical isolates. The same two sequences were obtained from DGGE bands of the corresponding vaginal flora. The sequences differed by one nucleotide over the short (approximately 300 bp) segment used for DGGE analysis and migrated to slightly different points in denaturing gradient gels. Both isolates were strict anaerobes and highly metronidazole resistant.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that A. vaginae may be an important component of the complex bacterial ecology that constitutes abnormal vaginal flora. This organism could play a role in treatment failure if further studies confirm it is consistently metronidozole resistant.
Topics: Actinobacteria; Adolescent; Adult; Anti-Infective Agents; Bacteria, Anaerobic; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Female; Humans; Metronidazole; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Pregnancy; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 15018635
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-4-5 -
The Journal of Infectious Diseases Sep 2006We investigated associations between Atopobium vaginae and bacterial vaginosis (BV) and the role that A. vaginae plays in recurrent BV after oral metronidazole therapy. (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
We investigated associations between Atopobium vaginae and bacterial vaginosis (BV) and the role that A. vaginae plays in recurrent BV after oral metronidazole therapy.
METHODS
Women with abnormal vaginal discharge or odor were enrolled in a cross-sectional study (n=358); the proportion of those infected with Gardnerella vaginalis and A. vaginae was determined by polymerase chain reaction. Women with BV (Nugent score [NS] 7-10 or 4-6 with > or =3 Amsel criteria; n=139) were treated with oral metronidazole (400 mg twice a day for 7 days) and examined at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months or until they reached an NS of 7-10 and recurrence of A. vaginae and G. vaginalis infection was established.
RESULTS
A. vaginae and G. vaginalis were highly sensitive for BV--96% (95% confidence interval [CI], 91%-98%) and 99% (95% CI, 97%-100%), respectively. However, A. vaginalis was more specific for BV (77% [95% CI, 71%-82%]) than was G. vaginalis (35% [95% CI, 29%-42%]). G. vaginalis was detected in 100% and A. vaginae in 75% of women with recurrent BV; higher organism loads were present in women with recurrent BV. A. vaginae was rarely detected without G. vaginalis, and women in whom both organisms were detected had higher rates of recurrent BV (83%) than women infected with G. vaginalis only (38%) (P<.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Infection with A. vaginae is more specific for BV than infection with G. vaginalis. The higher recurrence rates in women in whom both A. vaginae and G. vaginalis were detected suggest that A. vaginae makes a significant contribution to BV. However, its etiological role remains unclear.
Topics: Actinobacteria; Administration, Oral; Adult; Anti-Infective Agents; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gardnerella vaginalis; Humans; Metronidazole; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Recurrence; Time Factors; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 16941351
DOI: 10.1086/506621 -
Journal of Medical Virology May 2023The vaginal microbiome has emerged as potentially influencing the natural history of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections and their clinical impact. We aimed to...
The vaginal microbiome has emerged as potentially influencing the natural history of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections and their clinical impact. We aimed to characterize the vaginal microbiome in samples from 807 high-risk HPVs (Hr-HPV) positive women with a mean age of 41.45 ± 10.79 years who participated in the Regional Cervical Cancer Screening Program from the Northern Region of Portugal. Microbiome analysis was performed with commercial kits for the detection of 21 microorganisms. The most frequent microorganisms were Ureaplasma parvum (52.5%), Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) (34.5%), Atopobium vaginae (AV) (32.6%), Lacto (30.7%), and Mycoplasma hominis (MH) (23.5%). The distribution according to age reveals that MH, Mega1, GV, BVab2, AV, and Mob were more prevalent in women older than 41 years of age (p < 0.050), while Lacto is significantly decreased in this group (23.5% vs. 39.4%, p < 0.001; RR = 0.47). The risk analysis showed that Hr-HPV-16/-18 and Hr-HPV-9val genotypes are associated with an increased risk of developing cervical abnormalities, while Lacto (p < 0.001; odd ratio [OR] = 0.33), GV (p = 0.0111; OR = 0.41), AV (p = 0.033; OR = 0.53) and Mob (p = 0.022; OR = 0.29) are associated with protection. Similar results were found for the risk of development atypical squamous cells cannot exclude HSIL/high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. Overall, the multivariate analysis confirmed that lactobacillus and bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (GV, AV, and Mob) are associated with protection against the development of cervical abnormalities. This study provides important data to be included in the future management of risk stratification for Hr-HPV-positive women.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; Papillomavirus Infections; Early Detection of Cancer; Microbiota; Papillomaviridae
PubMed: 37212334
DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28762 -
Oncology Letters Apr 2023Cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer are the three most common types of gynecologic cancer. As a hub, the vagina connects the site of gynecological cancer with the... (Review)
Review
Cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer are the three most common types of gynecologic cancer. As a hub, the vagina connects the site of gynecological cancer with the external environment. Lactobacilli participate in the formation of a healthy vaginal microenvironment as the first line of defense against pathogen invasion; a dysbiotic vaginal microenvironment loses its original protective function and is associated with the onset, metastasis, poor efficacy and poor prognosis of gynecological cancer. The early diagnosis of cancer is the key to improve the survival time of patients with cancer. The screening of and , and other microbial markers, can assist the diagnosis of gynecological cancer, and screen out the high-risk population as early as possible. With the in-depth study of the microbes in tumor tissues, reasearchers have analyzed the immunological associations of microorganisms in tumor tissues. Due to the structural-functional interconnection between the organ of gynecological tumorigenesis and the vagina, the present study aims to review the relationship between vaginal and tumor microorganisms and gynecological cancer in terms of occurrence, screening, treatment and prognosis.
PubMed: 36936020
DOI: 10.3892/ol.2023.13739