Lactobacillus crispatus inhibits growth of Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae on a porcine vaginal mucosa model. Original paper
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Karen Pendergrass is a microbiome researcher specializing in microbiome-targeted interventions (MBTIs). She systematically analyzes scientific literature to identify microbial patterns, develop hypotheses, and validate interventions. As the founder of the Microbiome Signatures Database, she bridges microbiome research with clinical practice. In 2012, based on her own investigative research, she became the first documented case of FMT for Celiac Disease—four years before the first published case study.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, where the typically dominant Lactobacillus species are significantly reduced, leading to an overgrowth of anaerobic and facultative bacteria.
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Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
Researched by:
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Karen Pendergrass
ID
Karen Pendergrass
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was Studied?
The study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus crispatus on the growth of Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae using a porcine vaginal mucosa (PVM) model. It aimed to explore how Lactobacillus crispatus influences the growth of these pathogens and whether it could help prevent or inhibit infection through mechanisms such as the production of lactic acid and pH reduction.
Who was Studied?
The study focused on human clinical isolates of Lactobacillus crispatus, Gardnerella vaginalis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The researchers inoculated these isolates into the ex vivo PVM to observe their colonization, biofilm formation, and interactions.
What were the Most Important Findings?
The study revealed that Lactobacillus crispatus significantly inhibited the growth of both Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae on the porcine vaginal mucosa model. This inhibition occurred primarily due to the lactic acid production by L. crispatus, which lowered the vaginal pH to levels hostile to these pathogens. The results showed that both G. vaginalis and N. gonorrhoeae grew and formed biofilms at clinically relevant densities on PVM. In particular, the biofilm formation by G. vaginalis and N. gonorrhoeae was evident, and the presence of L. crispatus hindered this process. The production of lactic acid by L. crispatus was crucial for reducing the pH below 5.5, which subsequently inhibited pathogen growth. Conditioned media (CM) from L. crispatus cultures inhibited the growth of N. gonorrhoeae, even when the pH was adjusted to levels conducive for its growth.
What are the Implications of this Study?
The study demonstrates that Lactobacillus crispatus, a key member of the vaginal microbiota, plays a significant protective role against the colonization of harmful pathogens like Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It exerts direct antimicrobial effects and modulates vaginal pH through lactic acid production. By lowering pH, L. crispatus shows potential as both a therapeutic agent and a preventive measure against bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea. This finding supports the importance of maintaining a healthy vaginal microbiota dominated by Lactobacillus species to reduce susceptibility to infections. The PVM model serves as a valuable tool for studying the complex interactions between vaginal microbiota and pathogens, offering insights into the development of targeted microbiome-based interventions.