Gardnerella vaginalis diversity and ecology in relation to vaginal symptoms.
Res Microbiol 2017;
168:837-844. [PMID:
28341009 DOI:
10.1016/j.resmic.2017.02.011]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gardnerella vaginalis was first described in 1953, and subsequently identified as the causative agent of a cluster of vaginal symptoms currently known as vaginosis. Research has so far failed to confirm whether and by which mechanism G. vaginalis initiates vaginosis, with, consequently, poor diagnostics and treatment outcomes. Recent molecular analyses of protein-coding genes demonstrate that the taxon G. vaginalis consists of at least four distinct species. This development may represent a critical turning point in clarifying ecological interactions and virulence factors contributing to symptoms and/or sequelae of vaginosis.
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