In Vivo Confirmation of the Antimicrobial Effect of Probiotic Candidates against Gardnerella vaginalis.

Hyemin Kim,Yonggyeong Kim,Chang-Ho Kang

doi:10.3390/microorganisms9081690

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is caused by a microbial imbalance of the vaginal ecosystem, causing genital discomfort and potentially even various complications in women. Moreover, research on the treatment or prevention of BV is increasing. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial and anti-inflammation effects of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Ligilactobacillus salivarius MG242, Limosilactobacillus fermentum MG901, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MG989 in a BV-induced mice model. The oral administration of the LAB significantly inhibited the growth of Gardnerella vaginalis up to 43% (p < 0.05). The LAB downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and myeloperoxidase (p < 0.05). Upon histological examination, the exfoliation of epithelial cells in the vaginal tissues was found to be reduced in the probiotic administration group compared to the infected group. In addition, the LAB tolerated the gastric and/or intestinal simulated conditions and proliferated, showing potential in promoting health based on hemolysis activity, antibiotic susceptibility, enzyme activity, and lactic acid production. Altogether, our results showed that the investigated LAB may be a good food ingredient candidate for ameliorating BV in women.

Highlights

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age
The present study investigated the beneficial advantages of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in a BV-induced mice model and demonstrated that the strains ameliorated BV
The LAB showed antimicrobial efficacy and reduced the vaginal epithelial tissue exfoliation caused by G. vaginalis infection in vitro or in vivo

Summary

Introduction

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. BV causes genital discomfort (exudate, pruritus, dyspareunia, or malodorous discharge) or complications (pelvic inflammatory disease, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and infections of the post-operative wound, among others) [1,2]. The overgrowth of certain pathogenic bacterial genera, such as Gardnerella, Prevotella, Megasphaera, Atopobium, or Dialister, causes vaginal inflammatory disease in the genital mucosa [3,4]. Some strains of G. vaginalis are a major contributor to bacterial vaginosis due to its strong adherence to vaginal cells and its biofilm-forming capacity, which serves as a platform for the attachment of other BV-related species [5,6]. The currently available pharmaceuticals for BV rely on antibiotics, such as metronidazole or clindamycin [6,7].

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