Microbiology & Immunology Publications
Title
The vaginal Bifidobacterium flora in women of reproductive age
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1988
Journal
Canadian Journal of Microbiology
Volume
34
Issue
8
First Page
974
Last Page
978
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1139/m88-171
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that certain lactobacilli strains have the ability to interfere with the adherence and growth of uropathogenic bacteria. This interaction if believed to be important in the maintenance of a normal urogenital flora and in the prevention of infection in females. In the present study, Lactobacillus casei ssp. rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus acidophilus 76 were found to exert an inhibitory effect on pyelonephritogenic mutant Escherichia coli Hu 734 and E. coli ATCC 25922. The bioactivity of the inhibitor produced by strain GR-1 was retained under pH buffered conditions and was bactericidal. The bioactive substance was heat labile, not precipitated by up to 80% ammonium sulphate, and extractable in chloroform. The data indicated that the inhibitor is not lactic acid or hydrogen peroxide and has a molecular weight greater than 12 000 - 14 000. Human urine supported production of the inhibitor and reduced and delayed outgrowth of the E. coli. The ability of L. casei GR-1 and possibly other lactobacilli strains to produce inhibitors or uropathogenic bacteria may have clinical importance and significance in the microbial ecology of the urogenital tract.