Saccharomyces cerevisiae–based Probiotic as Novel Anti-microbial Agent for Therapy of Bacterial Vaginosis Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
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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.
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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
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
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 potential therapeutic effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae-based probiotic as a novel antimicrobial agent in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV). The researchers aimed to evaluate whether this yeast-based probiotic could inhibit the growth of BV-associated pathogenic bacteria and restore vaginal microbial balance, offering an alternative to standard antibiotic treatments.
Who was Studied?
The study utilized in vitro models to assess the antimicrobial activity of the S. cerevisiae-based probiotic against a range of bacterial strains associated with bacterial vaginosis, including Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, Mobiluncus curtisii, and others. No human or animal participants were involved; rather, laboratory strains of pathogenic bacteria were cultured and tested against the probiotic formulation.
What were the most Important Findings?
The study revealed that the S. cerevisiae-based probiotic demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against key BV-associated pathogens. Specifically, the probiotic effectively inhibited the growth of G. vaginalis, A. vaginae, M. curtisii, and Prevotella bivia in vitro. Notably, the inhibition was dose-dependent, with higher concentrations of the probiotic resulting in greater suppression of these pathogens. Importantly, the probiotic did not affect beneficial Lactobacillus species such as L. crispatus and L. jensenii, which are critical for maintaining vaginal health. This selectivity highlights a significant microbial signature, the probiotic selectively targeted pathogenic bacteria associated with dysbiosis while sparing commensal, health-associated bacteria. Additionally, the study suggested that the probiotic may modulate the vaginal microbiome by reducing the overgrowth of anaerobic pathogens without disrupting the protective lactobacilli.
What are the Implications of this Study?
The findings of this study have significant implications for the management of bacterial vaginosis. Current BV treatments rely heavily on antibiotics, which often lead to recurrence and may disrupt the vaginal microbiota by eliminating beneficial lactobacilli alongside pathogens. The yeast-based probiotic offers a non-antibiotic therapeutic strategy that can selectively inhibit BV-associated pathogens while preserving or even promoting beneficial microbial populations. This approach could potentially reduce recurrence rates, limit the development of antibiotic resistance, and improve vaginal microbiome resilience. For clinicians, this highlights a promising avenue for microbiome-informed interventions in BV management that target dysbiosis while maintaining microbial balance.
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.