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Microbial Cell Factories Nov 2020Human vagina is colonised by a diverse array of microorganisms that make up the normal microbiota and mycobiota. Lactobacillus is the most frequently isolated... (Review)
Review
Human vagina is colonised by a diverse array of microorganisms that make up the normal microbiota and mycobiota. Lactobacillus is the most frequently isolated microorganism from the healthy human vagina, this includes Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus iners, and Lactobacillus jensenii. These vaginal lactobacilli have been touted to prevent invasion of pathogens by keeping their population in check. However, the disruption of vaginal ecosystem contributes to the overgrowth of pathogens which causes complicated vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Predisposing factors such as menses, pregnancy, sexual practice, uncontrolled usage of antibiotics, and vaginal douching can alter the microbial community. Therefore, the composition of vaginal microbiota serves an important role in determining vagina health. Owing to their Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) status, lactobacilli have been widely utilised as one of the alternatives besides conventional antimicrobial treatment against vaginal pathogens for the prevention of chronic vaginitis and the restoration of vaginal ecosystem. In addition, the effectiveness of Lactobacillus as prophylaxis has also been well-founded in long-term administration. This review aimed to highlight the beneficial effects of lactobacilli derivatives (i.e. surface-active molecules) with anti-biofilm, antioxidant, pathogen-inhibition, and immunomodulation activities in developing remedies for vaginal infections. We also discuss the current challenges in the implementation of the use of lactobacilli derivatives in promotion of human health. In the current review, we intend to provide insights for the development of lactobacilli derivatives as a complementary or alternative medicine to conventional probiotic therapy in vaginal health.
Topics: Complementary Therapies; Female; Humans; Lactobacillus; Microbiota; Probiotics; Vagina; Vaginosis, Bacterial
PubMed: 33160356
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01464-4 -
Microbial Genomics Nov 2023Each year, 15 million infants are born preterm (<37 weeks gestation), representing the leading cause of mortality for children under the age of five. Whilst there is...
Each year, 15 million infants are born preterm (<37 weeks gestation), representing the leading cause of mortality for children under the age of five. Whilst there is no single cause, factors such as maternal genetics, environmental interactions, and the vaginal microbiome have been associated with an increased risk of preterm birth. Previous studies show that a vaginal microbiota dominated by is, in contrast to communities containing a mixture of genera, associated with full-term birth. However, this binary principle does not fully consider more nuanced interactions between bacterial strains and the host. Here, through a combination of analyses involving genome-sequenced isolates and strain-resolved metagenomics, we identify that strains from preterm pregnancies are phylogenetically distinct from strains from full-term pregnancies. Detailed analysis reveals several genetic signatures that distinguish preterm birth strains, including genes predicted to be involved in cell wall synthesis, and lactate and acetate metabolism. Notably, we identify a distinct gene cluster involved in cell surface protein synthesis in our preterm strains, and profiling the prevalence of this gene cluster in publicly available genomes revealed it to be predominantly present in the preterm-associated clade. This study contributes to the ongoing search for molecular biomarkers linked to preterm birth and opens up new avenues for exploring strain-level variations and mechanisms that may contribute to preterm birth.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Child; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Premature Birth; Lactobacillus; Vagina; Bacteria
PubMed: 38010361
DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001137 -
Frontiers in Reproductive Health 2021The ovulatory cycle has a significant influence on the microbial composition, according to the action of estrogen and progesterone on the stratified squamous epithelium,... (Review)
Review
The ovulatory cycle has a significant influence on the microbial composition, according to the action of estrogen and progesterone on the stratified squamous epithelium, due to an increase in epithelial thickness, glycogen deposition, and influence on local immunology. The 16S rRNA gene amplification and pyrosequencing study demonstrated that healthy women have community state types (CST), classified as; type "," with a predominance of , type II, with a predominance of , type III, where predominates, and type V with a predominance of . Type IV does not identify lactobacilli but a heterogeneous population of bacteria. There seems to be a relationship between increased vaginal bacterial diversity and poverty of lactobacilli with the complaining of vaginal dryness. With menopause, there appears to be a reduction in lactobacilli associated with higher serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and lower estrogen levels. The evaluation of Gram-stained vaginal smears in postmenopause women must take into account the clinical-laboratory correlation. We should observe two meanly possibilities, atrophy with few bacterial morphotypes, without inflammatory, infiltrate (atrophy without inflammation), and atrophy with evident inflammatory infiltrate (atrophy with inflammation or atrophic vaginitis). The relationship between the microbiome and postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms seems to be related to the bacterial vaginal population. However, more robust studies are needed to confirm this impression.
PubMed: 36304005
DOI: 10.3389/frph.2021.780931 -
MSphere Aug 2020Lactobacilli are dominant members of the "healthy" female urogenital microbiota. One of these species, , is routinely identified in the urinary microbiota of women both... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Lactobacilli are dominant members of the "healthy" female urogenital microbiota. One of these species, , is routinely identified in the urinary microbiota of women both with and without urinary tract symptoms. In March 2020, the new bacterial species was introduced, and phylogenetic and average nucleotide identity analysis identified eight strains that should be classified as members of the species. This prompted our phylogenomic study of all publicly available and genome sequences. While there is little variation in the 16S rRNA gene sequences, the core genome shows a clear distinction between genomes of the two species. We find eight additional strains of the species among these genomes. Furthermore, one strain, currently classified as UMB7784, is distinct from both and strains. As part of our comparative genomic study, we also investigated the genetic content that distinguishes these two species. Unique to the genomes are several genes related to catabolism of disaccharides. In contrast, genomes encode several cell surface and secreted proteins that are not found within the genomes. These -specific and -specific loci provide insight into phenotypic differences of these two species. species play a key role in the health of the urinary tract. For instance, and have been found to inhibit uropathogenic growth. While is typically found only within the microbiota of women without lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), has been found in the microbiota of women both with and without LUTS. With the recent introduction of the new species , several strains of were reclassified as based upon gene marker and average nucleotide identity. We took a phylogenomic and comparative genomic approach to ascertain the genetic determinants of these two species. Looking at a larger data set, we identified additional strains, including one distinct from other members of the species- UMB7784. Furthermore, we identified unique loci in each species that may have clinical implications.
Topics: DNA, Bacterial; Female; Genome, Bacterial; Genomics; Humans; Lactobacillus; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Species Specificity; Vagina
PubMed: 32817455
DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00560-20 -
MSphere Aug 2023, , , and are dominant species of the urogenital microbiota. Prior studies suggest that these species play a significant role in the urobiome of healthy females. In...
, , , and are dominant species of the urogenital microbiota. Prior studies suggest that these species play a significant role in the urobiome of healthy females. In our prior genomic analysis of all publicly available and genomes at the time ( = 43), we identified genes unique to these two closely related species. This motivated our further exploration here into their genotypic differences as well as into their phenotypic differences. First, we expanded genome sequence representatives of both species to 61 strains, including publicly available strains and nine new strains sequenced here. Genomic analyses conducted include phylogenetics of the core genome as well as biosynthetic gene cluster analysis and metabolic pathway analyses. Urinary strains of both species were assayed for their ability to utilize four simple carbohydrates. We found that strains can efficiently catabolize maltose, trehalose, and glucose, but not ribose, and strains can utilize maltose and glucose, but not trehalose and ribose. Metabolic pathway analysis clearly shows the lack of within strains, indicative of its inability to catabolize external sources of trehalose. While genotypic and phenotypic observations provide insight into the differences between these two species, we did not find any association with urinary symptom status. Through this genomic and phenotypic investigation, we identify markers that can be leveraged to clearly distinguish these two species in investigations of the female urogenital microbiota. IMPORTANCE We have expanded upon our prior genomic analysis of and strains, including nine new genome sequences. Our bioinformatic analysis finds that and cannot be distinguished by short-read 16S rRNA gene sequencing alone. Thus, to discriminate between these two species, future studies of the female urogenital microbiome should employ metagenomic sequencing and/or sequence species-specific genes, such as those identified here. Our bioinformatic examination also confirmed our prior observations of differences between the two species related to genes associated with carbohydrate utilization, which we tested here. We found that the transport and utilization of trehalose are key distinguishing traits of , which is further supported by our metabolic pathway analysis. In contrast with other urinary species, we did not find strong evidence for either species, nor particular genotypes, to be associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (or the lack thereof).
Topics: Female; Humans; Vagina; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Maltose; Lactobacillus; Genotype
PubMed: 37366621
DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00562-22 -
IDCases 2022is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive rod usually found in the normal microbiota of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract. Frequently dismissed as a...
is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive rod usually found in the normal microbiota of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract. Frequently dismissed as a contaminant, it is implicated in several diseases. We describe a rare case of endocarditis caused by in an immunocompetent 40 year-old male patient with a history of mitral valve repair. He presented complaining of asthenia and his laboratory results showed a moderate increase in inflammatory markers. A trans-thoracic echocardiography confirmed a vegetation on the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, with associated severe mitral insufficiency. Blood cultures revealed the significant growth of The patient developed an acute abdomen with intestinal ischemia and occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery, requiring urgent surgical laparotomy. A cerebral MRI showed multiple minor emboli in the frontal and left parietal cortex. The patient consequently underwent surgery to have his mitral valve replaced with a mechanical valve. L. was isolated in culture from the mitral valve and from a mesenteric artery thrombus. After one week of combined amoxicillin and gentamicin therapy, ampicillin alone was continued for a total of six weeks and the patient could be discharged in a good general condition. Only five cases of are described in literature, and they mainly affect immunocompromised hosts. In our case, a long delay between the start of symptoms and the full onset of the disease was observed. tolerance of Lactobacilli to penicillin is a key determinant of therapy choice.
PubMed: 35079575
DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2022.e01401 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2019IgA-coated live in the mucous layer of the human or mammalian intestine in close proximity to epithelial cells. They act as potential probiotics for functional food...
IgA-coated live in the mucous layer of the human or mammalian intestine in close proximity to epithelial cells. They act as potential probiotics for functional food development, but their physiological regulation has not yet been studied. We isolated IgA-targeted ( IgA21) and lumen lactic acid bacterial strains ( FS1) from the fecal microbiota of a healthy woman. C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal (CON) or high fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks and then treated with IgA21 or FS1 for 4 weeks. HFD caused dyslipidemia, mucosal barrier damage, and intestinal microbiota abnormalities. Only IgA21 significantly inhibited dyslipidemia and gut barrier damage. This was related to significant up-regulation of mucin-2, PIgR mRNA expression, and colonic butyrate production ( < 0.05 vs. HFD). Unlike IgA21, FS1 caused a more pronounced gut dybiosis than did HFD, and, in particular, it induced a significant decrease in the S24-7 group and an increase in ( < 0.05 vs. CON). In conclusion, IgA-coated and non-coated lactic acid bacteria of gut have been demonstrated to differentially affect the intestinal barrier and serum lipids. This indicates that IgA-bound bacteria possess the potential to more easily interact with the host gut to regulate homeostasis.
PubMed: 31178854
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01179 -
Cell Reports. Medicine Aug 2022Maternal asthma status, prenatal exposures, and infant gut microbiota perturbation are associated with heightened risk of atopy and asthma risk in childhood,...
Maternal asthma status, prenatal exposures, and infant gut microbiota perturbation are associated with heightened risk of atopy and asthma risk in childhood, observations hypothetically linked by intergenerational microbial transmission. Using maternal vaginal (n = 184) and paired infant stool (n = 172) samples, we identify four compositionally and functionally distinct Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota clusters (VCs) that relate to prenatal maternal health and exposures and infant serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) status at 1 year. Variance in bacteria shared between mother and infant pairs relate to VCs, maternal allergy/asthma status, and infant IgE levels. Heritable bacterial gene pathways associated with infant IgE include fatty acid synthesis and histamine and tryptophan degradation. In vitro, vertically transmitted Lactobacillus jensenii strains induce immunosuppressive phenotypes on human antigen-presenting cells. Murine supplementation with L. jensenii reduces lung eosinophils, neutrophilic expansion, and the proportion of interleukin-4 (IL-4) CD4 T cells. Thus, bacterial and atopy heritability are intimately linked, suggesting a microbial component of intergenerational disease transmission.
Topics: Animals; Asthma; Bacteria; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Immune Tolerance; Immunoglobulin E; Infant; Mice; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35932762
DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100713 -
Journal of Community Hospital Internal... Mar 2020is a gram-positive bacillus in the female genital tract believed to be a commensal organism that inhibits the growth of more virulent pathogens. is a gram-negative...
is a gram-positive bacillus in the female genital tract believed to be a commensal organism that inhibits the growth of more virulent pathogens. is a gram-negative bacillus species also typically commensal in the female genital tract. as the primary causative agent in perinephric abscesses and bacteremia has been documented, albeit very uncommon and opportunistic. is not classically associated with perinephric abscesses but has been implicated in rare cases of pelvic inflammatory disease and tubo-ovarian abscesses. In this report, we present a 26-year-old immunocompetent woman with a recent history of nephrolithiasis treated with lithotripsy, ureteral stent placement and removal, and antibiotics who was admitted for fever and severe right flank pain. Imaging showed a right-sided renal and perinephric abscesses colonized by and . Blood cultures were also positive for species. Per literature review, intravenous ceftriaxone and metronidazole were administered with successful resolution of abscesses and negative repeat blood cultures. To our knowledge, this is the first case of simultaneous renal system abscesses caused by and species. Nephrolithiasis and prior antibiotics likely contributed to the opportunistic pathogenesis in this otherwise immunocompetent patient.
PubMed: 32850056
DOI: 10.1080/20009666.2020.1742494 -
Microbial Cell Factories Sep 2017Lactobacillus species produce biosurfactants that can contribute to the bacteria's ability to prevent microbial infections associated with urogenital and...
BACKGROUND
Lactobacillus species produce biosurfactants that can contribute to the bacteria's ability to prevent microbial infections associated with urogenital and gastrointestinal tracts and the skin. Here, we described the biological and physicochemical properties of biosurfactants produced by Lactobacillus jensenii P and Lactobacillus gasseri P.
RESULTS
The biosurfactants produced by L. jensenii P and L. gasseri P reduced the water surface tension from 72 to 43.2 mN m and 42.5 mN m as their concentration increased up to the critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of 7.1 and 8.58 mg mL, respectively. Maximum emulsifying activity was obtained at concentrations of 1 and 5 mg mL for the P and P strains, respectively. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data revealed that the biomolecules consist of a mixture of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. The gas chromatography-mass spectrum analysis of L. jensenii P biosurfactant showed a major peak for 14-methypentadecanoic acid, which was the main fatty acid present in the biomolecule; conversely, eicosanoic acid dominated the biosurfactant produced by L. gasseri P. Although both biosurfactants contain different percentages of the sugars galactose, glucose and ribose; rhamnose was only detected in the biomolecule produced by L. jensenii P. Emulsifying activities were stable after a 60-min incubation at 100 °C, at pH 2-10, and after the addition of potassium chloride and sodium bicarbonate, but not in the presence of sodium chloride. The biomolecules showed antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Candida albicans, with MIC values of 16 µg mL, and against Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumoniae at 128 µg mL. The biosurfactants also disrupted preformed biofilms of microorganisms at varying concentrations, being more efficient against E. aerogenes (64%) (P biosurfactant), and E. coli (46.4%) and S. saprophyticus (39%) (P biosurfactant). Both strains of lactobacilli could also co-aggregate pathogens.
CONCLUSIONS
This report presents the first characterization of biosurfactants produced by L. jensenii P and L. gasseri P. The antimicrobial properties and stability of these biomolecules indicate their potential use as alternative antimicrobial agents in the medical field for applications against pathogens that are responsible for infections in the gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts and the skin.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Bacteria; Bacterial Adhesion; Bacterial Infections; Biofilms; Candida albicans; Escherichia coli; Humans; Lactobacillus; Lactobacillus gasseri; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Surface-Active Agents
PubMed: 28927409
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-017-0769-7