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Category: Clinical Microbiology; Bacterial Pathogenesis
Colonization of the Vaginal and Urethral Mucosa, Page 1 of 2
< Previous page | Next page > /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555817619/9781555813239_Chap28-1.gif /docserver/preview/fulltext/10.1128/9781555817619/9781555813239_Chap28-2.gifAbstract:
This chapter examines the current knowledge of urogenital bacterial microbiota in women and explores methods to manipulate the organisms to restore and maintain health. One study that effectively monitored colonization of two newborns from birth showed that the primary colonizers in the first week of life in vaginally born, breast-fed babies are Escherichia coli, Clostridium, Enterobacter, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus, with bifidobacteria not appearing until the second week. In terms of urogenital colonization, most studies have focused on the transfer of pathogens, such as group B streptococci, from mother to newborn. Proteomic studies have shown that the protein composition of the urine fluctuates, with stone formers having higher concentrations of albumin. There is considerable knowledge about how sexually transmitted disease pathogens such as gonococci, herpes simplex virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) interact with the host, but the focus of this chapter is on bacterial and yeast populations on the vaginal and urethral mucosa. Given that Candida colonizes up to 60% of women deemed to have a healthy vaginal mucosa, more studies are needed to understand which hosts react in an inflammatory and symptomatic manner and to determine the triggers for this response. Vaccine development such as the recent use of L. jensenii recombined to express the CD4 receptor for HIV will continue for some pathogens, as will the search for new remedies for viral infections.
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Atomic force microscopy image of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, illustrating the ability to examine nanoscale forces at the bacterial surface interface. Courtesy of Jonathan Hui and Jana Jass.
Atomic force microscopy image of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1, illustrating the ability to examine nanoscale forces at the bacterial surface interface. Courtesy of Jonathan Hui and Jana Jass.
Vaginal health versus disease: what sways the balance?
Vaginal health versus disease: what sways the balance?
Lactobacillus reuteri (formerly L. fermentum) RC-14 (depicted on the right) colonizes the vagina, displaces pathogens, and sends signals to fimbriated uropathogenic E. coli (left) that down regulate some virulence factor activity.
Lactobacillus reuteri (formerly L. fermentum) RC-14 (depicted on the right) colonizes the vagina, displaces pathogens, and sends signals to fimbriated uropathogenic E. coli (left) that down regulate some virulence factor activity.
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of Lactobacillus strains by using ApaI. Lanes: 1 and 6, low-range pulsed-field gel electrophoresis marker; 2, L. reuteri RC-14, 3, L. reuteri ATCC 23272 (DSM 20016); 4, L. reuteri NCIMB 702656; 5, L. reuteri NCIMB 701359. Note the significant difference between strain RC-14 and the other L. reuteri strains.
Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of Lactobacillus strains by using ApaI. Lanes: 1 and 6, low-range pulsed-field gel electrophoresis marker; 2, L. reuteri RC-14, 3, L. reuteri ATCC 23272 (DSM 20016); 4, L. reuteri NCIMB 702656; 5, L. reuteri NCIMB 701359. Note the significant difference between strain RC-14 and the other L. reuteri strains.