scholarly journals Amylases in the Human Vagina

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenetta L. Nunn ◽  
Geremy C. Clair ◽  
Joshua N. Adkins ◽  
Kristin Engbrecht ◽  
Thomas Fillmore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Amylase Activity ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Bacterial Populations ◽  
Human Vagina ◽  
First Time ◽  
Cervicovaginal Mucus ◽  
Female Genital

ABSTRACT Dominance of Lactobacillus species in vaginal communities is a hallmark of healthy conditions in the female genital tract. Key nutrients for lactobacilli include sugars produced when glycogen is degraded by α-amylase in the vagina. While α-amylase activity has been demonstrated in vaginal fluids, it is unclear whether α-amylases are produced solely by the host, bacteria in the vagina, or both. We screened cervicovaginal mucus from 23 reproductive-age women, characterized the species composition of vaginal communities, measured vaginal pH, and determined levels of amylase activity, glycogen, and lactic acid. Based on differences in these measured variables, one sample from each of four individual donors was selected for metagenomic and proteomic analyses. Of eight putative bacterial amylases identified in the assembled bacterial metagenomes, we detected four in vaginal fluids. These amylases were produced by various bacteria in different vaginal communities. Moreover, no two communities were the same in terms of which bacteria were producing amylases. Although we detected bacterial amylases in vaginal fluids, there was no clear association between the bacterial species that was dominant in a community and the level of amylase activity. This association was likely masked by the presence of human α-amylase, which was also detected in vaginal fluids. Finally, the levels of amylase activity and glycogen were only weakly associated. Our findings show, for the first time, that multiple amylases from both bacterial and human origins can be present simultaneously in the vagina. This work also suggests that the link between glycogen, amylase, and Lactobacillus in the vagina is complex. IMPORTANCE In this study, we show that multiple bacteria in the vaginal community produce amylases that hydrolyze glycogen into simpler sugars (i.e., maltose and maltotriose). These sugars serve as “common goods” that sustain bacterial populations in vaginal communities. Given the temporal changes that are observed in the human vaginal microbiome, we expect the kinds of bacterial amylases produced will also vary over time. These differences influence the pool of resources that are broadly shared and shape the species composition of the vaginal bacterial community.

scholarly journals Mutual Preservation: A Review of Interactions Between Cervicovaginal Mucus and Microbiota

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stylianos Vagios ◽  
Caroline M. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
The Body ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Mucosal Surfaces ◽  
Cervicovaginal Mucus ◽  
Female Genital

At mucosal surfaces throughout the body mucus and mucins regulate interactions between epithelia and both commensal and pathogenic bacteria. Although the microbes in the female genital tract have been linked to multiple reproductive health outcomes, the role of cervicovaginal mucus in regulating genital tract microbes is largely unexplored. Mucus-microbe interactions could support the predominance of specific bacterial species and, conversely, commensal bacteria can influence mucus properties and its influence on reproductive health. Herein, we discuss the current evidence for both synergistic and antagonistic interactions between cervicovaginal mucus and the female genital tract microbiome, and how an improved understanding of these relationships could significantly improve women’s health.

scholarly journals Vaginal, Cervical and Uterine pH in Women with Normal and Abnormal Vaginal Microbiota

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Malene Risager Lykke ◽  
Naja Becher ◽  
Thor Haahr ◽  
Ebbe Boedtkjer ◽  
Jørgen Skov Jensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Uterine Cavity ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Ph Gradient ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Female Genital

Introduction: Healthy women of reproductive age have a vaginal pH around 4.5, whereas little is known about pH in the upper genital tract. A shift in the vaginal microbiota may result in an elevated pH in the upper genital tract. This might contribute to decreased fertility and increased risk of preterm birth. Therefore, we aimed to measure pH in different compartments of the female genital tract in both nonpregnant and pregnant women, stratifying into a normal and abnormal vaginal microbiota. Material and methods: In this descriptive study, we included 6 nonpregnant, 12 early-pregnant, and 8 term-pregnant women. A pH gradient was recorded with a flexible pH probe. An abnormal vaginal microbiota was diagnosed by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique for Atopobium vaginae; Sneathia sanguinegens; Leptotrichia amnionii; bacterial vaginosis-associated bacterium 1, 2, 3, and TM7; and Prevotella spp. among others. Results: In all participants we found the pH gradient in the lower reproductive canal to be most acidic in the lower vagina and most alkaline in the upper uterine cavity. Women with an abnormal vaginal microbiota had an increased pH in the lower vagina compared to the other groups. Conclusions: There is a pronounced pH gradient within the female genital tract. This gradient is not disrupted in women with an abnormal vaginal microbiota.

scholarly journals Temporal Stability and Biodiversity of Two Complex Antilisterial Cheese-Ripening Microbial Consortia

2003 ◽  
Vol 69 (7) ◽  
pp. 4012-4018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel Maoz ◽  
Ralf Mayr ◽  
Siegfried Scherer
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Microbial Consortia ◽  
Cheese Ripening ◽  
Safe Food ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Individual ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT The temporal stability and diversity of bacterial species composition as well as the antilisterial potential of two different, complex, and undefined microbial consortia from red-smear soft cheeses were investigated. Samples were collected twice, at 6-month intervals, from each of two food producers, and a total of 400 bacterial isolates were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and 16S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis. Coryneform bacteria represented the majority of the isolates, with certain species being predominant. In addition, Marinolactobacillus psychrotolerans, Halomonas venusta, Halomonas variabilis, Halomonas sp. (106 to 107 CFU per g of smear), and an unknown, gram-positive bacterium (107 to 108 CFU per g of smear) are described for the first time in such a consortium. The species composition of one consortium was quite stable over 6 months, but the other consortium revealed less diversity of coryneform species as well as less stability. While the first consortium had a stable, extraordinarily high antilisterial potential in situ, the antilisterial activity of the second consortium was lower and decreased with time. The cause for the antilisterial activity of the two consortia remained unknown but is not due to the secretion of soluble, inhibitory substances by the individual components of the consortium. Our data indicate that the stability over time and a potential antilisterial activity are individual characteristics of the ripening consortia which can be monitored and used for safe food production without artificial preservatives.

Five new species of Rhigonema Cobb, 1898 (Rhigonematida: Rhigonematidae) from the Philippines and Vietnam with observations on the morphology of the Indo-Malayan forms and nematophagy by R. voratum sp. n.

Nematology ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Hunt
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
The West ◽  
Oral Aperture ◽  
Female Tail ◽  
Tail Shape ◽  
First Time ◽  
Nouvelles Espèces ◽  
Female Genital

AbstractFive new species of Rhigonema are described and illustrated from the gut of diplopods collected from the Philippines and Vietnam. R. flabellifer sp. n., R. golovatchi sp. n., R. rigonanae sp. n., R. spiridonovi sp. n. and R. voratum sp. n. are differentiated from one another and the remaining species in the genus by a combination of characters including form of the cephalic extremity, development and extent of the pilose region, female genital tract type, male and female tail shape, spicule form and number and disposition of the copulatory papillae. Two species, both from polydesmid diplopods, bear an unusual pedunculate, flap-like projection on each sector of the triangular oral aperture and have only thirteen copulatory papillae. Such projections have only previously been described from R. lanceacauda, a species from the West Indies that also shares a reduced and similarly arranged complement of thirteen male papillae. The morphology, bionomics and distribution of Rhigonema are discussed and evidence presented for the first time that nematophagy is practised by at least one species in the genus. Rhigonema leonilae (Sanchez-Velazquez, 1979) comb. n. is proposed for Ruizia leonilae Sanchez-Velazquez, 1979. Cinq nouvelles especes de Rhigonema Cobb, 1898 (Rhigonematida: Rhigonematidae) des Philippines et du Vietnam et observations sur la morphologie des formes indo-malaises et la nematophagie chez R. voratum sp. n. - Cinq nouvelles especes de Rhigonema provenant des intestins de diplopodes collectes aux Philippines et au Vietnam sont decrites et illustrees. R. flabellifer sp. n., R. golovatchi sp. n., R. rigonanae sp. n., R. spiridonovi sp. n. et R. voratum sp. n. sont differencies les uns des autres et des autres especes du genre par une combinaison de caracteres incluant la forme de l'extremite cephalique, le developpement et l'etendue de la pilosite, le type de tractus genital femelle, la forme de la queue du male et de la femelle, la forme des spicules et le nombre et la repartition des papilles copulatrices. Deux especes, provenant toutes deux de Diplopodes Polydesmides, portent une projection inhabituelle, pedonculee, en forme de languette, sur chacun des secteurs de l'ouverture buccale triangulaire et comptent seulement treize papilles copulatrices. De telles projections n'ont ete precedemment decrites que chez R.lanceacauda, une espece originaire des Antilles, qui exhibe egalement un cortege reduit de treize papilles chez le male avec la meme repartition. La morphologie, le comportement et la repartition des Rhigonema sont discutes et la preuve est apportee pour la premiere fois que la nematophagie est pratiquee par au moins une espece de ce genre. Rhigonema leonilae (Sanchez-Velazquez, 1979) comb. n. est propose pour Ruizia leonilae Sanchez-Velazquez, 1979.

scholarly journals “Collinsella vaginalis” sp. nov., a new bacterial species cultivated from human female genital tract

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 19-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khoudia Diop ◽  
Florence Bretelle ◽  
Pierre-Edouard Fournier ◽  
Didier Raoult ◽  
Florence Fenollar
Keyword(s):  
Genital Tract ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Human Female ◽  
Female Genital

scholarly journals Mullerian adenosarcoma of the cervix: case report

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 335
Author(s):  
Akinfenwa T. Atanda ◽  
Osondu C. Agu ◽  
Abubakar K. Modu K. Modu
Keyword(s):  
Genital Tract ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Rare Tumours ◽  
Histopathological Evaluation ◽  
Optimum Management ◽  
Reproductive Age Group ◽  
Female Genital

Mullerian adenosarcomas are rare tumours that may be found in any part of the female genital tract including cervix. They are more common in the reproductive age group and rare among blacks. When they present in the cervix they may be clinically misdiagnosed as an endocervical polyp and histologically as an adenofibroma. Clinical presentation is mostly as irregular vagina bleeding and as a mass in the vagina. Meticulous histopathological evaluation is crucial for its optimum management.

scholarly journals Microperforate hymen with infertility: rare case report

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 1259
Author(s):  
Aditi Jindal ◽  
Rama Thakur
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Health Care Centre ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Rare Case Report ◽  
First Time ◽  
Female Genital

Female genital tract anomalies are rare but may have a serious impact on the reproductive health. Here we are going to discuss a rare case of pin point hymenal opening. Here the patient presented to us with primary infertility. She presented to a health care centre for the first time therefore she had never been examined. After all the initial investigations a diagnosis of micro perforate hymen was made. She was posted in OT for hymenectomy. She underwent excision of the hymenal tissue and the edges were sutured to the introitus to prevent reclosure of the hymen. She had an uneventful postoperative period. Patient was discharged after complete recovery at 5th post-operative day. She resumed sexual functions 6 weeks after the surgery. These anomalies usually require surgical interventions. Correct surgical intervention is required for a better psychological and reproductive health.

scholarly journals Classification and diagnosis of congenital malformations of the female genital tract according to ESHRE/ESGE

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 53-60
Author(s):  
Anastasios Makedos ◽  
Grigoris Grimbizis
Keyword(s):  
Genital Tract ◽  
Congenital Malformations ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
Female Population ◽  
Key Points ◽  
Proper Diagnosis ◽  
Female Genital

Congenital malformations of the female genital tract affect 4-7% of the female population. They are mainly detected at reproductive age during the investigation for infertility. Accurate classification is vital for the effective management. In need of a more detailed description of these anomalies, clinical usefulness and simplicity ESHRE and ESGE introduced in 2013 the new classification system and further in 2016, at the Thessaloniki consensus they introduced guidance on proper diagnosis with the use of the available diagnostic procedures. In the current review the most important key points of both consensuses are described.

scholarly journals High levels of ca125 in a patient with large uterine fibroid.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-170
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Zacharis ◽  
Konstantinos Dafopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Abdominal Mass ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Uterine Fibroids ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Benign Tumors ◽  
Caucasian Woman ◽  
Cancer Antigen 125 ◽  
Cancer Antigen ◽  
Present Case Report ◽  
Female Genital

Uterine leiomyomas, also known as uterine fibroids, are the most common benign tumors of the female genital tract and affect 60 to 80% of women at their reproductive age. Although elevated tumor markers may be measured in benign gynaecological diseases, the association of uterine fibroids with increased levels of serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) has not been proven to date. In the present case report we present a rare case of a 21-year-old Caucasian woman attended to our outpatient department with hypermenorrhea and pelvic discomfort that was treated for an enlarged intra-abdominal mass with an abnormally high CA-12 (777.3 U/mL).

scholarly journals The incidence detection of tuberculosis in patients with infertility and abnormal uterine bleed: a study in North Indian population

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 3041
Author(s):  
Simmanjit Kaur ◽  
Unmesh Santpur ◽  
Sunita Mor
Keyword(s):  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Uttar Pradesh ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Genital Tuberculosis ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Female Genital Tuberculosis ◽  
Acute Form ◽  
Reproductive Age Group ◽  
Hiv Negative ◽  
Female Genital

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health problem, responsible for ill health among millions of people each year. TB ranks as the second leading cause of death from an infectious disease worldwide, after the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The latest estimates included in this report are that there were 9.0 million new TB cases in 2013 and 1.5 million TB deaths (1.1 million among HIV-negative people and 0.4 million among HIV-positive people). In India the incidence of genital tuberculosis is nearly about 18%. And in female genital tract it is estimated that 18% in India suffer from genital TB.Methods: The study was carried-out during November 2014 to March 2016 at Maharishi Markandeshwar deemed to be University, MMIMSR Mullana (Ambala).  A total of 100 females of reproductive age attending the Gynaecology Outpatient were finally recruited on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: In our study majority i.e. 39 (39.0%) patient were found in the group of 20-29 years of age followed by 38 (38.0%) patients in the group of 30-39 years of age. Only 23 (23.0%) were found in the group of 40-49 years of age. In our study majority i.e. 54 (54.0%) patients were from Haryana followed by 44 (44.0%) patients were from Uttar Pradesh and only 2 (2.0%) patients were from Punjab. Out of 100 patients majority i.e. 76 (76.0%) patients had negative TB with either of investigation and only 24 (24.0%) patients had positive TB with either of investigation.Conclusions: Female genital tuberculosis affects the females of reproductive age group. The disease manifests itself as pelvic inflammatory disease in its acute form with menstrual irregularities and later infertility, and is almost always secondary to a primary lesion elsewhere.

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