Hans Verstraelen1, Alexander Swidsinski2. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vulvovaginal Disease Clinic, Ghent University & Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. 2. Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Laboratory for Molecular Genetics, Polymicrobial Infections and Biofilms, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Bacterial vaginosis is conventionally appreciated as a temporary community disturbance of the vaginal microbiota, though really involving self-organization as a resilient biofilm community. We will briefly review here how recent findings on this matter may affect practice and research in this field. RECENT FINDINGS: The rapidly expanding literature base on the vaginal microbiome is largely based on 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) and cpn60 gene sequencing, with few studies accounting thus far for spatial microbiota organization. The putative sexually transmitted disease profile of bacterial vaginosis inferred from epidemiologic research, may concur with its biofilm nature, notably involving spread of dispersed cells or cell aggregates between hosts. De novo biofilm formation in response to prolonged vaginal ecosystem pressure should be considered a pathogenetic model as well. Biofilm assays may not only aid epidemiologic research, but also add to monitoring therapeutic efficacy of novel treatments. Therapeutic research thus far is largely confined to inhibition of in-vitro biofilm formation, though a recent innovative clinical trial involved a combinational approach of metronidazole and a surfactant, specifically aiming for the biofilm. SUMMARY: Bacterial vaginosis research will further benefit from biofilm assays complementing taxonomy-based data, and this already translates in a novel treatment paradigm.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Bacterial vaginosis is conventionally appreciated as a temporary community disturbance of the vaginal microbiota, though really involving self-organization as a resilient biofilm community. We will briefly review here how recent findings on this matter may affect practice and research in this field. RECENT FINDINGS: The rapidly expanding literature base on the vaginal microbiome is largely based on 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) and cpn60 gene sequencing, with few studies accounting thus far for spatial microbiota organization. The putative sexually transmitted disease profile of bacterial vaginosis inferred from epidemiologic research, may concur with its biofilm nature, notably involving spread of dispersed cells or cell aggregates between hosts. De novo biofilm formation in response to prolonged vaginal ecosystem pressure should be considered a pathogenetic model as well. Biofilm assays may not only aid epidemiologic research, but also add to monitoring therapeutic efficacy of novel treatments. Therapeutic research thus far is largely confined to inhibition of in-vitro biofilm formation, though a recent innovative clinical trial involved a combinational approach of metronidazole and a surfactant, specifically aiming for the biofilm. SUMMARY:Bacterial vaginosis research will further benefit from biofilm assays complementing taxonomy-based data, and this already translates in a novel treatment paradigm.
Authors: Joana Castro; Ângela Lima; Lúcia G V Sousa; Aliona S Rosca; Christina A Muzny; Nuno Cerca Journal: Front Cell Infect Microbiol Date: 2022-01-05 Impact factor: 5.293