scholarly journals Cationic amphiphiles against Gardnerella vaginalis resistant strains and bacterial vaginosis-associated pathogens

2019 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M Weeks ◽  
Alysha Moretti ◽  
Shuang Song ◽  
Kathryn E Uhrich ◽  
Andrey V Karlyshev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Cationic Amphiphiles ◽  
Commensal Microbiota ◽  
Head Groups ◽  
Vaginal Lactobacilli ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Infection Recurrence

ABSTRACT Antibiotic resistance and infection recurrence are critical issues in treating bacterial vaginosis, the most common vaginal disorder in women of reproductive age. Novel alternatives to traditional antibiotics, such as peptidomimetics, have the potential to address this challenge. Previously, two series of cationic amphiphiles (CAms) were developed with both hydrophilic head groups and non-polar domains, giving them the ability to self-assemble into supramolecular nanostructures with membrane-lytic properties. Those CAms were shown to be effective against biofilms of Gardnerella vaginalis while preserving the commensal microbiota. Two new series of CAms were designed with varying levels of flexibility between the hydrophilic head groups and the hydrophobic domains. Activities against the vaginal pathogen G. vaginalis ranged from 1.3 to 18.5 µM, while the tested vaginal lactobacilli were significantly more tolerant of CAms, with minimal inhibitory concentration values as high as 208 µM. Minimal biofilm bactericidal concentrations of the tested CAms ranged from 21.47 to <388.3 µM, and were lowest against resistant forms of G. vaginalis, while Lactobacillus biofilms were tolerant of concentrations ≥687 µM. Safety aspects of the CAms were also investigated, and they were found to be safe for use against vaginal ectocervical tissue.

scholarly journals Gemini Cationic Amphiphiles Control Biofilm Formation by Bacterial Vaginosis Pathogens

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ammar Algburi ◽  
Yingyue Zhang ◽  
Richard Weeks ◽  
Nicole Comito ◽  
Saskia Zehm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Planktonic Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cationic Amphiphiles ◽  
Promising Strategy ◽  
Head Groups ◽  
Conventional Antibiotics

ABSTRACT Antibiotic resistance and recurrence of bacterial vaginosis (BV), a polymicrobial infection, justify the need for novel antimicrobials to counteract microbial resistance to conventional antibiotics. Previously, two series of cationic amphiphiles (CAms) which self-assemble into supramolecular nanostructures with membrane-lytic properties were designed with hydrophilic head groups and nonpolar domains. The combination of CAms and commonly prescribed antibiotics is suggested as a promising strategy for targeting microorganisms that are resistant to conventional antibiotics. Activities of the CAms against Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC 14018, a representative BV pathogen, ranged from 1.1 to 24.4 μM. Interestingly, the tested healthy Lactobacillus species, especially Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 39268, were significantly more tolerant of CAms than the selected pathogens. In addition, CAms prevented biofilm formation at concentrations which did not influence the normal growth ability of G. vaginalis ATCC 14018. Furthermore, the biofilm minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC-Bs) of CAms against G. vaginalis ATCC 14018 ranged from 58.8 to 425.6 μM, while much higher concentrations (≥850 μM) were required to produce ≥3-log reductions in the number of biofilm-associated lactobacilli. The conventional antibiotic metronidazole synergized strongly with all tested CAms against planktonic cells and biofilms of G. vaginalis ATCC 14018. The synergism between CAms and the tested conventional antibiotic may be considered a new, effective, and beneficial method of controlling biofilm-associated bacterial vaginosis.

scholarly journals Features of vaginal microbiocenosis in women of reproductive age with overweight and obesity

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-57
Author(s):  
K.A. Gasparyan ◽  
V.K. Kondratyuk ◽  
I.G. Ponomareva ◽  
K.O. Kondratyuk ◽  
N.P. Dzis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Obese Patients ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Vaginal Microflora ◽  
Facultative Anaerobic ◽  
Anaerobic Microflora

Overweight and obesity play a negative role in gynecological and obstetric practicE.In women, the frequency of infectious pathology increases against the background of metabolic disorderS.The most common form of infectious vaginitis is bacterial urogenital candidiasis, in the etiological structure of which a significant role belongs to the fungi Candida albicans, as well as Candida non-albicans: C.glabrata, C.tropicalis, C.parapsilosis, C.krusei. Associations of Candida fungi with various representatives of opportunistic microflora, such as gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic, facultative-anaerobic and obligate-anaerobic microorganisms, are often formed. As a result, numerous bacterial pathogens multiply and the number of lactobacilli, which are usually part of the bacterial flora of the vagina, is significantly reduced. In bacterial vaginosis (BV), the concentration of anaerobic pathogens Peptostreptococcus sp, Gardnerella vaginalis, Peptostreptococcus Mobiluncus sp, Mycoplasma hominis can increase 100 timeS.Activation of Atopobium vaginae and Gardnerella vaginalis, which play a “key” role in the pathogenesis of BV, has been proven. The aim of the study was to study changes in the vaginal microbiome in women with candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis in order to improve existing treatment regimenS.We examined 120 women of reproductive age with overweight and obesity. The degree of microbial contamination was determined and the maximum possible spectrum of aerobic and facultative-anaerobic microflora was detected. In women with vulvovaginal candidiasis, overweight and obesity, a high concentration (lg5.8 CFU/ml) of Candida fungi was found, and in 95% of patients two-, three- and four-component associations of Candida fungi with various representatives of conditional pathogenic microflora. Lactobacillus deficiency was found in 58.3% of patients, and their complete absence – in 10.0%. Bacteriological examination of the vaginal contents of women with vaginosis and obesity revealed significant dysbiotic disorders of the vaginal microflora, three-, four- and even five-component associations of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic microflora with a predominance of anaerobeS.A low seeding level of lactobacilli (lg2.2 CFU/ml) was established. Thus, the gram-positive anaerobic and facultative anaerobic microflora of Firmicutes have a significant share in the spectrum of vaginal microflora in overweight and obese patients, in contrast to non-obese women of reproductive agE.In women of reproductive age with vulvovaginal candidiasis and obesity, in contrast to non-obese patients, a higher frequency of fungal-bacterial associations, a higher quantitative level of vaginal contamination by Candida albicans and non-albicans with a lack or general absence of lactoflora.

scholarly journals Criteria for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis using the test Femoflor-16

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 57-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika V. Nazarova ◽  
Elena V. Shipitsyna ◽  
Ekaterina N. Gerasimova ◽  
Alevtina M. Savicheva
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Vaginal Discharge ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Anaerobic Bacteria ◽  
Microscopic Investigation ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Nugent Score ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy ◽  
Amsel Criteria

Background. Bacterial vaginosis is disturbance of the balance of the vaginal microflora, associated with a number of infectious diseases of the urogenital tract and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this country, for the detection of vaginal dysbiotic conditions, the test Femoflor-16 (DNA-Technology, Moscow) is widely used, however interpretation algorithms of this test do not include the category of BV. Aim. The study aimed to elaborate diagnostic criteria for the detection of BV using Femoflor-16 test. Materials and methods. Women of reproductive age addressing a gynecologist with vaginal discharge were enrolled in the study. For clinical diagnosis of BV, the Amsel criteria were used, laboratory analysis for BV was performed via microscopic investigation of vaginal discharge using the Nugent score. Samples of vaginal discharge from all women were analyzed with the test Femoflor-16, intended for characterizing vaginal microbiocenosis using multiplex quantitative real-time PCR. Results. A total of 280 women were included in the study. BV was diagnosed in 86 women (31%) using the Amsel criteria, and in 81 women (29%) using the Nugent score. All groups of anaerobic bacteria included in Femoflor-16 test were shown to be associated with BV, with the exception of bacteria of the genus Mobiluncus, which are detected together with phylogenetically related but not BV-associated bacteria of the genus Corynebacterium. A low amount of lactobacilli (< 10% of total bacterial load) coupled with an elevated amount of Gardnerella vaginalis/Prevotella bivia/Porphyromonas (> 1%) and/or Eubacterium (> 2%) and/or Sneathia/Leptotrichia/Fusobacterium (> 0.1%) and/or Megasphaera/Veillonella/Dialister (> 0.1%) and/or Lachnobacterium/Clostridium (> 0.1%) and/or Peptostreptococcus (> 0.1%) and/or Atopobium vaginae (> 0.2%) detected BV with a sensitivity of 99% and specificity of 93%. Conclusions. Criteria for BV diagnosis using the test Femoflor-16 have been elaborated, which enable to detect BV or exclude it with a sensitivity of 99% and specificity of 93%. These criteria for BV and criteria of the test manufacturers for severe anaerobic dysbiosis determine to a large extent the same category of the vaginal microbiocenosis.

scholarly journals Bacterial communities forming the vaginal micro-ecosystem in norm and in bacterial vaginosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 30-43
Author(s):  
Veronika V. Nazarova ◽  
Elena V. Shipitsyna ◽  
Kira V. Shalepo ◽  
Alevtina M. Savicheva
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Nugent Score ◽  
Facultative Anaerobes ◽  
Normal Microflora ◽  
Cluster 2

Background. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is disturbance of the vaginal microbiota, characterized by displacement of lactobacilli with anaerobic bacteria and capable of adversely affecting women’s reproductive health. In the development of BV, a wide spectrum of bacteria substantially differing in their properties is involved. Grouping vaginal bacterial communities into clusters, or types of microbiocenosis, might contribute to understanding of pathogenic mechanisms and elaboration of effective tools for diagnostics and therapy of the disease. Aim. Determination and comparative analysis of clusters of vaginal bacterial communities in norm and in BV. Materials and methods. Women of reproductive age were enrolled in the study. For the diagnosis of BV, the Nugent score was used. Vaginal swab samples from all women were analyzed with the test Femoflor-16, intended for evaluation of the vaginal microbiocenosis using multiplex quantitative real-time PCR. Two-step cluster analysis was applied for grouping bacterial communities. Differences between the clusters were evaluated using pairwise comparisons. Results. Of 280 women enrolled in the study, 172 had normal microflora, 27 – intermediate microflora, 81 – BV. In cluster analysis, 270 samples valid in PCR testing were included. All the vaginal bacterial communities were grouped into 4 clusters. Cluster 1 (n = 171) included cases when the vaginal microflora consisted mostly of lactobacilli. Cluster 2 (n = 11) encompassed cases of domination of aerobic microflora: Enterobacteriaceae, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Clusters 3 (n = 57) and 4 (n = 31) were connected with BV and included cases of prevailing of facultative anaerobes (Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae) and obligate anaerobes (Sneathia/Leptotrichia/Fusobacterium, Megasphaera/Veillonella/Dialister, Lachnobacterium/Clostridium), respectively. Nearly all cases of cluster 1 belonged to the category of normal microflora of the Nugent score. The majority of bacterial communities of cluster 2 matched intermediate microflora, cluster 3 – BV category with a score of 7 or 8, cluster 4 – BV category with a score of 9 or 10. The clusters differed significantly in vaginal рН, with the highest values observed for cluster 4. Conclusions. Vaginal bacterial communities are grouped into 4 main clusters, characterized by domination of lactobacilli, aerobes, facultative anaerobes or obligate anaerobes. The clusters belong to different categories of the Nugent score and differ significantly in vaginal pH.

Isolation, identification and susceptibility pattern of Gardnerella vaginalis in bacterial vaginosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shameem Akhter ◽  
Humayun Sattar ◽  
Ruhul Amin Miah ◽  
Ahmed Abu Saleh ◽  
Sharmeen Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Vaginal Discharge ◽  
Vaginal Swab ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Gram Stain ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
History Of ◽  
Abnormal Vaginal Discharge ◽  
And Control

Bacterial vaginosis is the commonest cause of abnormal vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age. A total 200 women aged 15- 45 years with history of abnormal vaginal discharge were included as study population. Fifty women without such history of discharge were taken as healthy control. Two vaginal swab samples were taken from each case and control. These swab samples were subjected to test by Gram stain (Nugent method) and culture. 21.5 % of the cases were diagnosed as bacterial vaginosis by Gram stain (Nugent method) and 21 % by culture. Clindamycin was susceptible to G. vaginalis in (90.5%) followed by metronidazol (76.1 %), chloramphenicol (71.4 %) and erythromycin (66.7 %). Out of 50 cases of recurrent bacterial vaginosis, G. vaginalis was isolated from 15 (30 %) cases, of which 5 (33.3 %) were sensitive and 10 (66.7 %) were resistant to metronidazol, while all 15 cases were sensitive to clindamycin.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmm.v5i1.15814 Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2011; 05 (01): 8-11

scholarly journals Comparative study of pap smear and microbiological pattern in bacterial vaginosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1039
Author(s):  
Girishma J. ◽  
Rupakala B. M. ◽  
Sunil Chavan
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Vaginal Discharge ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Pap Smears ◽  
Gram Stain ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Gram Staining ◽  
Gynecology And Obstetrics

Background: Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginal discharge among women in reproductive age group. It is characterized by an increased vaginal pH and loss of normal lactobacilli and overgrowth of anaerobes like Gardnerella vaginalis and other gram-negative rods. Purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics of pap smear and microbiological pattern in patients with abnormal vaginal discharge.Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital (RRMCH) Bangalore, India. All patients with vaginal discharge were included in the study. Vaginal discharge samples were sent to gram staining, culture and pap smear examination.Results: Of the 52 patients, 18 patients (34.6%) showed positive for bacterial vaginosis according to Nugent’s score. Of the 18 patients with positive Gram stains, 8 of them were positive for bacterial vaginosis according to pap’s smear (44%) and 10 had negative pap smears. In our study, of the 18 patients with positive Gram stains, 14 (77%) of them were positive for bacterial vaginosis according to culture.Conclusions: In the present study we found out that correlation of gram stain and pap smear was 44% whereas correlation of gram stain and culture was 77%. Hence, we conclude that gram stain and culture are preferred for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis rather than the pap smear evaluation.

scholarly journals Study of Trichomonas Vaginalis and Bacterial Vaginosis in Pap smear at a Tertiary Health Care Centre of Nepal

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 8-12
Author(s):  
Rakesh Pathak ◽  
P Pradhan ◽  
S Pudasaini ◽  
S Maharjan ◽  
AS Basnyat
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Disease Diagnosis ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Pap Smears ◽  
Vaginal Infections ◽  
Health Care Centre ◽  
Pap Screening

Cervical-vaginal infections are common problems in women of reproductive age presented with clinical features like white vaginal discharge, foul smelling odor and pruritis. Trichomonas vaginalis, Candidia and Gardnerella vaginalis are responsible for infectious vaginitis in creating anaerobic environment favoring Bacterial vaginosis caused by organisms like Gardnerella vaginalis, Chlamydia Trachomatis. Papanicolaou (Pap) smear examination is the simple, quick, painless routine screening test used for identification and detection of precancerous changes of uterine cervix as well as the cervico-vaginal infections resulting from bacterial, fungal and candida infections. The prime objective of the study was to identify the age wise distribution of cervical-vaginal infections and determine the frequency of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Bacterial vaginosis (BV). A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Pathology, Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu. A total of 163 cases of TV and BV diagnosed on Pap smear were taken for the study. However, 564 Pap smears were received in the Department of Pathology for cytological evaluation during the study period. Once the smears were stained, the presence of clue cells, cannon balls and Trichomonas were observed. Out of 564 Pap smears received during the study period, 163 cases were of BV, TV and combined BV and TV. These 163 cases were included in our study. The age ranged from 20 to 65 years with majority (19.1%) of the women belonging to 35-39 years and the mean age was 38.18 ± 10.18 years. There were 97 cases (17.2%) of BV, 50 cases (8.9%) of TV and 16 cases (2.8%) of TV and BV co-infection. Bacterial vaginosis was the most predominant type of cervicovaginal infection followed by TV infection and TV and BV co-infections. Trichomonas vaginalis may create an environment favoring the development of BV. Pap screening could be the beneficial tool in early disease diagnosis and helps in preventing further complications by starting appropriate treatment.

scholarly journals Microbiological, behavioral and anamnestic predictor factors of bacterial vaginosis in women with vaginal discharge

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 32-42
Author(s):  
Elena V Shipitsyna ◽  
Tatyana A Khusnutdinova ◽  
Olga S Ryzhkova ◽  
Anna A Krysanova ◽  
Olga V Budilovskaya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Vaginal Discharge ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Vaginal Microflora ◽  
Normal Microflora ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Predictor Factors

Introduction. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the primary cause of pathological vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age. Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae are considered key components of the vaginal microflora in BV. Etiology, pathogenesis and modes of transmission of BV are actively studied, however these questions still remain unanswered. Objective: investigate predictor factors of BV in women with vaginal discharge. Material and methods. In total, 318 women were included. As clinical material, vaginal samples were used. BV was diagnosed using the Nugent method. For quantitative determination of G. vaginalis and A. vaginae DNA, real-time PCR was used. Behavioral and anamnestic data were obtained from questionnaire filled out by the patients. Results. BV was diagnosed in 27 % of women. G. vaginalis and A. vaginae DNA was detected, respectively, in 93 % and 83 % of patients with BV, 73 % and 59 % - with intermediate microflora, 52 % and 38 % - with normal microflora. Difference between the three types of microflora in the frequency and concentrations of these microorganisms were statistically significant. Detection of G. vaginalis and A. vaginae were significant predictor factors of BV (OR 12.2; 95 % CI 5.1-29.4 and OR 7.9; 95 % CI 4.2-14.9, respectively), with chances to diagnose BV being manifold increased when clinically significant concentrations of these bacteria were detected (≥3×106 and ≥8×105 DNA copies/ml for G. vaginalis and A. vaginae, respectively). Detection of clue cells in Gram stained preparations was shown to be the strongest BV predictor (OR 765.6; 95 % CI 99.6-5883.2). Conclusions. BV is diagnosed in more than one fourth of women with vaginal discharge. Detection of G. vaginalis and A. vaginae, especially in clinically significant concentrations, and clue cells in Gram stained preparations are significant predictor factors of BV.

scholarly journals The Female Vaginal Microbiome in Health and Bacterial Vaginosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodi Chen ◽  
Yune Lu ◽  
Tao Chen ◽  
Rongguo Li
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Gardnerella Vaginalis ◽  
Obstetric Outcomes ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Vaginal Microbiome ◽  
Sharp Decline ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

The vaginal microbiome is an intricate and dynamic microecosystem that constantly undergoes fluctuations during the female menstrual cycle and the woman’s entire life. A healthy vaginal microbiome is dominated by Lactobacillus which produce various antimicrobial compounds. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by the loss or sharp decline in the total number of Lactobacillus and a corresponding marked increase in the concentration of anaerobic microbes. BV is a highly prevalent disorder of the vaginal microbiota among women of reproductive age globally. BV is confirmed to be associated with adverse gynecologic and obstetric outcomes, such as sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and preterm birth. Gardnerella vaginalis is the most common microorganism identified from BV. It is the predominant microbe in polymicrobial biofilms that could shelter G. vaginalis and other BV-associated microbes from adverse host environments. Many efforts have been made to increase our understanding of the vaginal microbiome in health and BV. Thus, improved novel and accurate diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for BV have been developed. This review covers the features of vaginal microbiome, BV, BV-associated diseases, and various strategies of diagnosis and treatment of BV, with an emphasis on recent research progresses.

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