Effect of biofilm phenotype on resistance of Gardnerella vaginalis to hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid

Objective Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal disorder worldwide. Certain lactobacilli produce H2 02 and lactic acid, which normally suppress growth of anaerobes; however, in bacterial vaginosis, Gardnerella vaginalis and other anaerobes proliferate, and the number of lactobacilli decreas...

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Published inAmerican journal of obstetrics and gynecology Vol. 197; no. 2; pp. 170.e1 - 170.e7
Main Authors Patterson, Jennifer L., BS, Girerd, Philippe H., MD, Karjane, Nicole W., MD, Jefferson, Kimberly K., PhD
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Philadelphia, PA Mosby, Inc 01.08.2007
Elsevier
Subjects
biofilm
Biofilms
Biological and medical sciences
Drug Resistance, Bacterial
Gardnerella
Gardnerella vaginalis - drug effects
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Hydrogen Peroxide - pharmacology
Lactic Acid - pharmacology
Medical sciences
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Phenotype
vaginosis
vaginosis
Gardnerella
biofilm
Hydrogen peroxide
Eubacteria
Gynecology
Hydrogenperoxides
Bifidobacteriaceae
Obstetrics
Resistance
Gardnerella vaginalis
Phenotype
Actinobacteridae
Biofilm
Actinobacteria
Bacteria
Bifidobacteriales
Lactic acid
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Summary:Objective Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal disorder worldwide. Certain lactobacilli produce H2 02 and lactic acid, which normally suppress growth of anaerobes; however, in bacterial vaginosis, Gardnerella vaginalis and other anaerobes proliferate, and the number of lactobacilli decreases. G vaginalis colonizes the vaginal epithelium as a biofilm, which likely plays a role in colonization and relapsing infection. Study Design We developed an in vitro model for G vaginalis biofilm formation and compared susceptibilities of biofilms vs planktonic cultures to H2 02 and lactic acid. The structure and composition of the biofilm matrix were studied in order to design a method for biofilm dissolution. Results Biofilms tolerated 5-fold and 4-8 fold higher concentrations of H2 02 and lactic acid (respectively) than planktonic cultures. Proteolytic dissolution of biofilms reduced sensitivity to H2 02 and lactic acid. Conclusion Increased tolerance to H2 02 and lactic acid suggests that biofilm formation contributes to the survival of G vaginalis in the presence of lactobacilli.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:0002-9378
1097-6868
DOI:10.1016/j.ajog.2007.02.027