Adherent biofilms in bacterial vaginosis.
Published
Journal Article
OBJECTIVE: Bacterial vaginosis is a common infectious disorder. Although known since ancient times, little progress has occurred in identifying causal factors. Our aims were to study the bacterial community structure and the spatial organization of microbiota on the epithelial surfaces of vaginal biopsy specimens. METHODS: We investigated the composition and spatial organization of bacteria associated with the vaginal epithelium in biopsy specimens from 20 patients with bacterial vaginosis and 40 normal premenopausal and postmenopausal controls using a broad range of fluorescent bacterial group-specific rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes. RESULTS: Bacterial vaginosis was associated with greater occurrence and higher concentrations of a variety of bacterial groups. However, only Gardnerella vaginalis developed a characteristic adherent biofilm that was specific for bacterial vaginosis. CONCLUSION: A biofilm comprised of confluent G vaginalis with other bacterial groups incorporated in the adherent layer is a prominent feature of bacterial vaginosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Swidsinski, A; Mendling, W; Loening-Baucke, V; Ladhoff, A; Swidsinski, S; Hale, LP; Lochs, H
Published Date
- November 2005
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 106 / 5 Pt 1
Start / End Page
- 1013 - 1023
PubMed ID
- 16260520
Pubmed Central ID
- 16260520
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0029-7844
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1097/01.AOG.0000183594.45524.d2
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States