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Frontiers in Microbiology 2020The high incidence of bacterial vaginosis recurrence is common after treatment with an antibiotic agent and suggests the need for new treatments to prevent this. We...
The high incidence of bacterial vaginosis recurrence is common after treatment with an antibiotic agent and suggests the need for new treatments to prevent this. We conducted a randomized trial to evaluate the ability of maltose gel to treat bacterial vaginosis. Eighteen female rhesus macaques were randomly assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, to receive maltose gel or placebo gel by syringe to the fornix of the vagina for five consecutive days. We used 16S rRNA sequencing data from 70 swab samples of vaginal secretions in two groups in total on days 0, 3, and 5 after medication initiation and days 3 and 5 after medication withdrawal for the study of microbiome composition. We found that, in the placebo control group, there was no significant change in the composition and abundance of vaginal microbiota during the follow-up period. In the maltose gel test group, the abundance of in the vagina microbiota increased gradually with the prolongation of the treatment time on Days 3 and 5 (ANOVA = 6.99e-5 < 0.01) but began to decrease after the withdrawal of maltose gel, which was different from that of the control group. Correspondingly, the diversity and abundance of BV-related bacteria, , , , , , and , decreased on Day 0 to Day 5 of medication and increased after drug withdrawal in the maltose gel test group. The study confirms that maltose gel can facilitate the proliferation of and promote the transition of the vaginal microbiota from BV-related bacteria dominant to dominant in the rhesus macaque.
PubMed: 33240248
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.594065 -
Infection and Immunity Feb 2021Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a vaginal dysbiotic condition linked to negative gynecological and reproductive sequelae. Flagellated bacteria have been identified in women... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a vaginal dysbiotic condition linked to negative gynecological and reproductive sequelae. Flagellated bacteria have been identified in women with BV, including spp. and BV-associated bacterium-1 (BVAB1), an uncultivated, putatively flagellated species. The host response to flagellin mediated through Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) has not been explored in BV. Using independent discovery and validation cohorts, we examined the hypothesis that TLR5 deficiency-defined by a dominant negative stop codon polymorphism, rs5744168-is associated with an increased risk for BV and increased colonization with flagellated bacteria associated with BV (BVAB1, , and ). TLR5 deficiency was not associated with BV status, and TLR5-deficient women had decreased colonization with BVAB1 in both cohorts. We stimulated HEK-hTLR5-overexpressing NF-κB reporter cells with whole, heat-killed or and with partially purified flagellin from these species; as BVAB1 is uncultivated, we used cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) fluid supernatant from women colonized with BVAB1 for stimulation. While heat-killed and CVL fluid from women colonized with BVAB1 stimulate a TLR5-mediated response, heat-killed did not. In contrast, partially purified flagellin from both species stimulated a TLR5-mediated response We observed no correlation between vaginal interleukin 8 (IL-8) and flagellated BVAB concentrations among TLR5-sufficient women. Interspecies variation in accessibility of flagellin recognition domains may be responsible for these observations, as reflected in the potentially novel flagellin products encoded by species versus those encoded by BVAB1.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cohort Studies; Female; Flagellin; Genes, Bacterial; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Humans; Middle Aged; Mobiluncus; Toll-Like Receptor 5; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Washington; Young Adult
PubMed: 33199356
DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00060-20 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2020Vaginal infection is a gynecological problem in women of reproductive age with multiple health outcomes. The most common forms of infection include bacterial vaginosis...
Vaginal infection is a gynecological problem in women of reproductive age with multiple health outcomes. The most common forms of infection include bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VC), and aerobic vaginitis (AV). Our main goals were to evaluate different types of vaginal infections in Ecuadorian women in a large urban area (Quito) and to characterize the vaginal microbiota colonization by opportunistic species. We collected vaginal swabs and epidemiological surveys from 414 women from June 2016 to July of 2017. We analyzed vaginal samples for the presence of any vaginal infection. The microbiological examination was done through Gram-stain, wet mount smears, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays using primers for target genes, such as 16S rRNA (Atopobium vaginae, Mobiluncus mulieris, and Gardnerella species), ddl (Enterococcus faecalis), adk (Escherichia coli) and KER1 (Candida albicans) genes. Most women showed a healthy vaginal microbiota (66.7%). Nearly one-tenth (10.4%) of the participants had intermediate microbiota, and the remaining women (22.9%) had a single vaginal infection (BV, AV, or VC) or coinfections. From the 95 participants that had an infection, AV was the main diagnosed vaginal infection (51.6%), followed by BV (24.2%) and finally VC (7.4%). The remaining women (16.8%) showed coinfections, being BV and AV the most common coinfection. Using univariable logistic regression analyses we found an increased odds of healthy microbiota in women with a sexual partner (P = 0.02, OR = 1.64). Also, women in a free union relationship (P = 0.000, OR = 16.65) had an increased odds of having coinfections. On the other hand, the use of birth control (condom OR = 0.388 or other contraceptive method OR = 0.363) was associated with significantly lower odds of intermediate microbiota (P ≤ 0.05). We found no statistically significant differences between women with infection and a particular group age. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses we initially found an increased odds of having BV in women with M. mulieris (P = 0.020, OR = 4.98) and Gardnerella species (P = 0.010, OR = 4.16). Women with E. coli showed an increased odds of having AV (P = 0.009, OR = 2.81). The presence of C. albicans in women showed an increased odds of having VC (P = 0.007, OR = 17.94). Finally, women with M. mulieris showed a reverse odds of having healthy microbiota (P = 0.008, OR = 0.06). We found no statistically significant differences between women with symptomatic and asymptomatic infections or the presence of Enterococcus faecalis. We found using logistic regression analyses that M. mulieris was the most prevalent opportunistic pathogen among women with vaginal infection. Further studies should evaluate the possibility to use M. mulieris as a potential key predictor for vaginal infections.
Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Ecuador; Female; Humans; Microbiota; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Vagina; Vaginal Diseases; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Young Adult
PubMed: 33110095
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74655-z -
Anaerobe Dec 2020We evaluated the Cutibacterium acnes prevalence in prostatic biopsies and characterized the strains at a molecular level. 18 out of 36 biopsies (50%) were sterile after...
We evaluated the Cutibacterium acnes prevalence in prostatic biopsies and characterized the strains at a molecular level. 18 out of 36 biopsies (50%) were sterile after seven days in culture. C. acnes was observed in only two biopsies. Its prevalence was low (5.6%). Finally, the molecular characterization revealed diverse clusters including phylotypes IA, IB and II.
Topics: Aged; Bifidobacterium; Biopsy; France; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Hospitals; Humans; Male; Mobiluncus; Prevalence; Propionibacteriaceae; Prospective Studies; Prostate
PubMed: 33080373
DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2020.102286 -
PeerJ 2020Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common vaginal infections worldwide. It is associated with the presence of a dense polymicrobial biofilm on the vaginal...
BACKGROUND
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common vaginal infections worldwide. It is associated with the presence of a dense polymicrobial biofilm on the vaginal epithelium, formed mainly by species. The biofilm also contains other anaerobic species, but little is known about their role in BV development.
AIM
To evaluate the influence of different culture media on the planktonic and biofilm growth of six cultivable anaerobes frequently associated with BV, namely sp., , , , and .
METHODS
A total of nine different culture media compositions, including commercially available and chemically defined media simulating genital tract secretions, were tested in this study. Planktonic cultures and biofilms were grown under anaerobic conditions (10% carbon dioxide, 10% helium and 80% nitrogen). Planktonic growth was assessed by optical density measurements, and biofilm formation was quantified by crystal violet staining.
RESULTS
Significant planktonic growth was observed for sp., and in New York City III broth, with or without ascorbic acid supplementation. Biofilm quantification showed high in vitro biofilm growth for sp., and in almost all culture media excluding Brucella broth. Contrary, only New York City III broth was able to promote biofilm formation for , and .
CONCLUSIONS
Our data demonstrate that New York City III broth relative to the other tested media is the most conducive for future studies addressing polymicrobial biofilms development as this culture medium allowed the formation of significant levels of single-species biofilms.
PubMed: 32974104
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9917 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2020The vaginal microbiota of healthy women typically has low diversity, which increases after perturbations. Among these, lifestyle associated with certain sexual and...
The vaginal microbiota of healthy women typically has low diversity, which increases after perturbations. Among these, lifestyle associated with certain sexual and antimicrobial practices may be associated with higher diversity. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the vaginal microbiota in the cervicovaginal and introital sites in sexually active Amerindians (N = 82) spanning urbanization, and in urban mestizos (N = 29), in the Venezuelan Amazonas. HPV status was also considered. Sampling was performed in an urban gradient from remote villages to a town, and women were individually classified by the degree of urbanization (low, medium, and high). Amerindian cervicovaginal and introital microbiota diversity were not associated with major changes in urbanization or ethnicity. There was a non-significant trend of increased diversity with urbanization, with a few taxa found overrepresented in urban Amerindians (Brevibacterium linens and Peptoniphilus lacrimalis) or mestizos (Mobiluncus mulieris and Prevotella sp.). Among all women, cervicovaginal and introital samples clustered, respectively, in four and two community state types (CSTs), where most profiles were dominated by Lactobacillus iners, Gardnerella vaginalis or were highly diverse profiles. HPV status did not associate with microbial diversity. In conclusion, no association was found between urban level and the vaginal microbiome in Amerindian women, and little difference was found between ethnicities. L. iners and high diversity profiles, associated with vaginal health outcomes, prevail in these populations.
Topics: Biodiversity; Cervix Uteri; Cluster Analysis; Female; Geography; Humans; Microbiota; Papillomavirus Infections; Urbanization; Vagina; Venezuela; American Indian or Alaska Native
PubMed: 32719372
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69111-x -
Frontiers in Medicine 2020colonization is important to maintain urogenital flora stability and prevent pathogenic infection. Different species have distinct properties and effects on the...
colonization is important to maintain urogenital flora stability and prevent pathogenic infection. Different species have distinct properties and effects on the urogenital flora. To select probiotics that colonize the vagina and provide protection against pathogenic infection, we evaluated the adhesion of five strains and their inhibitory effects on the adhesion of pathogens to vaginal epithelial cells (VECs). (1) adhesion experiments: VK2/E6E7 and primary VECs were used to evaluate the adhesion of two and three strains. The adhesion of these five strains was compared. (2) Adhesion inhibition experiments: The inhibitory effects of the five strains on the adhesion of pathogens (, and ) were evaluated by adhesion exclusion, displacement, and competition experiments. (1) adhesion was stronger in the primary VECs than in the VK2/E6E7 VECs ( < 0.05). The adhesion of the three strains was stronger than that of the two strains ( < 0.05). 4# showed the strongest adhesion. (2) The exclusion, displacement, and competition experiments showed that all five strains significantly inhibited the adhesion of the seven pathogenic strains to the VECs ( < 0.05). The displacement effect was stronger than the exclusion and competition effects of each strain. (3) The results of the exclusion, displacement, and competition experiments indicated that 1# showed the strongest adhesion inhibition of and . 3# showed the strongest adhesion inhibition of , whereas 4# showed the strongest adhesion inhibition of , and . The source of the VECs might not affect the selection of the most adhesive strain. showed stronger VEC adhesion than . The degree of antagonism of the strains toward the different pathogens varied. This result provides incentives for personalized clinical treatment.
PubMed: 32637420
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00284 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2020Pregnancy outcomes and women's health are directly affected by vaginal microbiota. This microbiota consists of a dynamic ecosystem of various microbes in different...
Pregnancy outcomes and women's health are directly affected by vaginal microbiota. This microbiota consists of a dynamic ecosystem of various microbes in different ratios, which in healthy conditions protect the vaginal epithelium from infections. However, cases of vaginal infection are regularly diagnosed in women of reproductive age, contributing to more severe outcomes. Therefore, our main goal was to determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV), aerobic vaginitis (AV), and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) among Ecuadorian pregnant and non-pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 217 women between 13 and 40 years old seeking primary healthcare in Carlos Andrade Marin Hospital (HCAM), Gynecological-Obstetric Hospital Isidro Ayora (HGOIA) and Center for Teaching Health Cipriana Dueñas during October 2018 to February 2019. The classical characterization of the vaginal microbiota was performed through microscopy by the Nugent criteria to evaluate the presence of BV, healthy and intermediate microbiota, by the criteria of Donders to determine the presence of AV and by the Marot-Leblond criteria to diagnose VVC. DNA extraction from vaginal samples and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis was performed to characterize the presence of spp., spp., and spp. Finally, quantification of the lactobacilli was performed by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for samples from women with normal vaginal microbiota and women with AV. Our results showed 52% of women with healthy microbiota, 7% with intermediate microbiota, and 41% with vaginal dysbiosis, comprising 27% with AV, 8% with BV and 4% with VVC and 2% with co-infections or co-dysbiosis. Additionally, a higher amount of lactobacilli were found in pregnant women when compared to non-pregnant women, while AV cases were characterized by a significant drop of spp., more precisely, between 1E3 and 1E5 colony forming units (CFU)/ml. Finally, women with normal vaginal microbiota showed an average load of lactobacilli between 1E6 and 1E7 CFU/ml. This pilot study showed no statistically significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women, pointing to the possibility to use lactobacilli quantification for the prevention of future vaginal infections.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Lactobacillus; Microbiota; Pilot Projects; Pregnancy; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Vagina; Young Adult
PubMed: 32637367
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00303 -
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Jul 2020Here, the antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance mechanisms, and clonality of sp. isolates recovered from gynecological outpatients in China were investigated....
Here, the antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance mechanisms, and clonality of sp. isolates recovered from gynecological outpatients in China were investigated. Compared to , exhibited higher antimicrobial resistance to metronidazole, clindamycin, and tetracycline. Whole-genome sequencing indicated that the clindamycin resistance gene (X) was located on a transposable element, Tn, which was composed of two IS sequences. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that spp. had high diversity, with isolates being grouped into several sporadic clades.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; China; Clindamycin; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mobiluncus; Phylogeny
PubMed: 32513795
DOI: 10.1128/AAC.00780-20 -
Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease Jul 2020The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that 5% monolaurin vaginal gel, a naturally occurring monoglyceride shown to have antimicrobial effects on vaginal... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that 5% monolaurin vaginal gel, a naturally occurring monoglyceride shown to have antimicrobial effects on vaginal pathogens without affecting Lactobacillus species, cures bacterial vaginosis (BV).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a multicenter, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial comparing 5% monolaurin vaginal gel to vehicle placebo (glycol-based) gel administered twice daily for 3 days. Nonpregnant, nonbreastfeeding women between ages 18 and 50 years were recruited and BV confirmed. Primary outcome was clinical cure assessed by resolution of all 4 Amsel criteria. Secondary outcomes included safety and tolerability assessed by solicited urogenital adverse events. Exploratory outcomes included colony counts for vaginal microbes associated with healthy vaginal flora (Lactobacillus species) and the dysbiosis often associated with BV (Gardnerella species and Mobiluncus species). A 2:1 test article to placebo randomization scheme was planned.
RESULTS
One hundred nine women participated with 73 randomized to the treatment arm and 36 to the placebo arm. There was no significant difference in clinical cure for BV (p = .42) with 17% of the monolaurin group and 25% of the placebo group achieving clinical cure. Lactobacilli species counts increased in the monolaurin group compared with placebo (1.0 × 10 vs -5.2 × 10). Two thirds of both groups reported solicited urogenital adverse events, but these were mild to moderate with no significant difference between groups (p = .24).
CONCLUSIONS
Monolaurin was no more clinically or microbiologically effective than placebo in curing BV. Future research should explore whether monolaurin may be used to increase Lactobacilli species.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Laurates; Middle Aged; Monoglycerides; Placebos; Treatment Outcome; Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; Vaginosis, Bacterial; Young Adult
PubMed: 32379102
DOI: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000543