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Das S, Konwar BK. Influence of connatural factors in shaping vaginal microflora and ensuring its health. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:871-886. [PMID: 37676318 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07200-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Vaginal canal (VC) is exposed to the external environment affected by habitual factors like hygiene and sexual behaviour as well as physiological factors like puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, child birth and menopause. Healthy VC harbours beneficial microflora supported by vaginal epithelium and cervical fluid. Connatural antimicrobial peptide (AMPs) of female reproductive tract (FRT) conjunctly with these beneficial microbes provide protection from a large number of infectious diseases. Such infections may either be caused by native microbes of the VC or transitory microbes like bacteria or virus which are not a part of VC microflora. This review highlight's the role of hormones, enzymes, innate immunological factors, epithelial cells and vaginal mucus that support beneficial microbes over infectious ones thus, helping to maintain homeostasis in VC and further protect the FRT. We also discuss the prospective use of vaginal probiotics and AMPs against pathogens which can serve as a potential cure for vaginal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreaya Das
- Department of MBBT, Tezpur University, Napaam, Assam, 784028, India.
| | - Bolin K Konwar
- Department of MBBT, Tezpur University, Napaam, Assam, 784028, India
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2
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Das S, Konwar BK. Prophylactic application of vaginal lactic acid bacteria against urogenital pathogens and its prospective use in sanitary suppositories. Int Microbiol 2024; 27:179-202. [PMID: 37258658 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-023-00376-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Beneficial and pathogenic microbes coexist in the vaginal canal, where a diminishing population of lactic acid bacteria may cause recurring urogenital infections. Probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus vaginalis, and pathogenic microbes Enterococcus faecalis, Enterobacter cloacae, Shigella sp., Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia fergusonii were isolated from vaginal swabs. Lactobacillus sp. and their probiotic culture free supernatant (PCFS) inhibited the growth of the above-mentioned urogenital pathogens. L. crispatus produced both lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, exhibiting the best antimicrobial potential against the studied pathogens. Lyophilized L. crispatus had a shelf life of 12 months and the lyophilized PCFS also retained its antibacterial property with a minimum inhibition concentration of 1 μg/μL. Carboxy-methyl cellulose-alginate, a green alternative to super-absorbent polymers, was encapsulated with L. crispatus cells. The probiotic in its encapsulated state retained its viability for 21 days, and the bead showed 30% solvent absorptive capacity. PCFS-laced non-woven fabric displayed antibacterial property with no change in its physicochemical properties. These probiotic and postbiotic formulations have excellent prophylactic potential for urogenital infections. Such formulations can be exploited as additives in sanitary suppositories to enhance vaginal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreaya Das
- Department of MBBT, Tezpur University, Napaam-784028, Assam, India
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3
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Barba M, Toquet M, García-Roselló E, Gomis J, Quereda JJ, González-Torres P, Carbonetto B, Gómez-Martín Á. Description of the vaginal microbiota in nulliparous ewes during natural mating and pregnancy: preliminary signs of the male preputial microbiota modulation. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1224910. [PMID: 38274751 PMCID: PMC10808482 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1224910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The vaginal microbiota plays a key role in animals' health. Understanding its diversity and composition and associated changes occurring through the reproductive cycle represents valuable knowledge to disclose the mechanisms leading to dysbiosis and eventually to infection. Even if the human vaginal microbiota has been thoroughly studied, scarce research has been conducted on the vaginal microbiota of livestock. In this study, 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing was performed on vaginal samples of ten nulliparous ewes at three different sampling points: before the estrus synchronization protocol (T0), at the time of estrus before mating (Testrus), and the day of the pregnancy diagnosis (Tpreg). Preputial samples from the three males collected pre and post-mating were also analyzed. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the most abundant phyla in vaginal samples. The most abundant genera were Porphyromonas, Anaerococcus, and Peptinophilius. Vaginal microbiota biodiversity decreased during pregnancy. Tenericutes (Ureaplasma spp.) increased significantly at Tpreg in both pregnant and non-pregnant ewes. Differences were observed between pregnant and non-pregnant ewes at Tpreg where pregnant ewes had a significantly higher abundance of Actinobacillus spp. and Ureaplasma spp. Ewes that were diagnosed with pregnancy at Tpreg showed a decreased abundance of gram-negative bacteria such as Bacteroidales, Campylobacterales, and Enterobacteriales. In addition, a significant decrease in the relative abundances of genera within Firmicutes, such as Alloicoccus (Lactobacillales), Atopostipes (Lactobacillales), and an uncultured bacteria W5053 from Family XI (Firmicutes, Clostridiales) was observed in non-pregnant ewes at Tpreg. The four most abundant phyla in the rams' prepuce were the same as in the ewes' vagina. The most abundant genus was Corynebacterium. No major differences were observed in the ram's preputial microbiota between pre and post-mating samples. Nevertheless, the differences in the taxonomic composition of ewes' vaginal microbiota between Testrus and Tpreg could be explained by the exposure to the preputial microbiota. This study offers new insights into the effects of several key steps of the ewe's reproductive cycle such as estrus-synchronization protocol, mating, and pregnancy on ovine vaginal microbiota. The knowledge of the microbiota dynamics during the reproductive cycle can help improve the reproductive outcomes of dams by identifying biomarkers and putative probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Barba
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
- Agrifood Research and Technology Centre of Aragon (CITA), Teruel, Spain
| | - Marion Toquet
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Empar García-Roselló
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Gomis
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan J. Quereda
- Research Group Intracellular Pathogens: Biology and Infection, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pedro González-Torres
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
- Microomics Systems S.L., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Belén Carbonetto
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
- Microomics Systems S.L., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ángel Gómez-Martín
- Microbiological Agents Associated with Animal Reproduction (ProVaginBIO) Research Group, Departamento Producción y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública Veterinaria y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Carrer Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
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4
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Wu LY, Yang TH, Ou YC, Lin H. The role of probiotics in women's health: An update narrative review. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 63:29-36. [PMID: 38216265 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2023.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Probiotics, live microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts, have gained considerable attention for their potential role in maintaining women's health. This overview summarizes key clinical findings on the beneficial effects of probiotics in various aspects of women's health. Probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus species, contribute to vaginal health by promoting a balanced vaginal microbiome to prevent infections and maintain an acidic environment. In gynecologic conditions, probiotics show potential in preventing and managing bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and sexually transmitted infections. Probiotic supplementation has also been associated with improvements in metabolic parameters and menstrual irregularities in polycystic ovary syndrome patients. During pregnancy, probiotics may be helpful in reducing the risk of gestational diabetes, maternal group B streptococcal colonization, obstetric anemia, and postpartum mastitis. In recent years, the potential role of probiotics in the prevention and management of gynecologic cancer has gained attention. Further research is needed to better understand the specific mechanisms and determine the optimal Lactobacillus strains and dosages regimens for gynecologic cancer prevention and therapy. In conclusion, probiotics offer a non-invasive and cost-effective approach to support women's health and prevent obstetric and gynecologic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Ying Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Hwa Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Che Ou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chia-Yi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan
| | - Hao Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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5
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Omeershffudin UNM, Kumar S. Emerging threat of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: pathogenesis, treatment challenges, and potential for vaccine development. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:330. [PMID: 37688619 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03663-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The continuous rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious concern as it endangers the effectiveness of healthcare interventions that rely on antibiotics in the long run. The increasing resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria responsible for causing gonorrhea, to commonly used antimicrobial drugs, is a major concern. This has now become a critical global health crisis. In the coming years, there is a risk of a hidden epidemic caused by the emergence of gonococcal AMR. This will worsen the global situation. Infections caused by N. gonorrhoeae were once considered easily treatable. However, over time, they have become increasingly resistant to commonly used therapeutic medications, such as penicillin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. As a result, this pathogen is developing into a true "superbug," which means that ceftriaxone is now the only available option for initial empirical treatment. Effective management strategies are urgently needed to prevent severe consequences, such as infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease, which can result from delayed intervention. This review provides a thorough analysis of the escalating problem of N. gonorrhoeae, including its pathogenesis, current treatment options, the emergence of drug-resistant mechanisms, and the potential for vaccine development. We aim to provide valuable insights for healthcare practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in their efforts to combat N. gonorrhoeae antibiotic resistance by elucidating the multifaceted aspects of this global challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umairah Natasya Mohd Omeershffudin
- Post Graduate Centre, Management and Science University, University Drive, Off Persiaran Olahraga, Section 13, 40100, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Management and Science University, Seksyen 13, 40100, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
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6
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Almolhim H, Elhassanny AEM, Abutaleb NS, Abdelsattar AS, Seleem MN, Carlier PR. Substituted salicylic acid analogs offer improved potency against multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae and good selectivity against commensal vaginal bacteria. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14468. [PMID: 37660222 PMCID: PMC10475031 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41442-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae represents a major threat to public health; without new effective antibiotics, untreatable gonococcal infections loom as a real possibility. In a previous drug-repurposing study, we reported that salicylic acid had good potency against azithromycin-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. We now report that the anti-gonococcal activity in this scaffold is easily lost by inopportune substitution, but that select substituted naphthyl analogs (3b, 3o and 3p) have superior activity to salicylic acid itself. Furthermore, these compounds retained potency against multiple ceftriaxone- and azithromycin-resistant strains, exhibited rapid bactericidal activity against N. gonorrhoeae, and showed high tolerability to mammalian cells (CC50 > 128 µg/mL). Promisingly, these compounds also show very weak growth inhibition of commensal vaginal bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Almolhim
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Ahmed E M Elhassanny
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Nader S Abutaleb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Abdallah S Abdelsattar
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Mohamed N Seleem
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Paul R Carlier
- Department of Chemistry and Virginia Tech Center for Drug Discovery, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, 833 S Wood St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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7
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Nami Y, Haghshenas B, Javanmard A, Samari M, Mohammadi N, Oroojalian F, Mokhtarzadeh A. A critical review of the recent concept of artificial mechanical uterus design in relation to the maternal microbiome: An Update to past researches. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 156:103828. [PMID: 36796148 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The microbiome in the female reproductive tract plays an essential role in immune modulation and reproductive health. However, various microbes become established during pregnancy, the balance of which plays a crucial role in embryonic development and healthy births. The contribution of disturbances in the microbiome profile to embryo health is poorly understood. A better understanding of the relationship between reproductive outcomes and the vaginal microbiota is needed to optimize the chances of healthy births. In this regards, microbiome dysbiosis refers to conditions in which the pathways of communication and balance within the normal microbiome are imbalanced due to the intrusion of pathogenic microorganisms into the reproductive system. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the natural human microbiome, with a focus on the natural uterine microbiome, mother-to-child transmission, dysbiosis, and the pattern of microbial change in pregnancy and parturition, and reviews the effects of artificial uterus probiotics during pregnancy. These effects can be studied in the sterile environment of an artificial uterus, and microbes with potential probiotic activity can be studied as a possible therapeutic approach. The artificial uterus is a technological device or biobag used as an incubator, allowing extracorporeal pregnancy. Establishing beneficial microbial communities within the artificial womb using probiotic species could modulate the immune system of both the fetus and the mother. The artificial womb could be used to select the best strains of probiotic species to fight infection with specific pathogens. Questions about the interactions and stability of the most appropriate probiotics, as well as dosage and duration of treatment, need to be answered before probiotics can be a clinical treatment in human pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Nami
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Branch for Northwest & West Region, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tabriz, Iran
| | - Babak Haghshenas
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center (RMRC), Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Arash Javanmard
- Animal Genetics and Breeding, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, 5166616471 Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - Mahya Samari
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Nahid Mohammadi
- Animal Genetics and Breeding, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, 5166616471 Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Oroojalian
- Department of Advanced Sciences and Technologies, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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8
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D'Alessandro M, Gottardi D, Parolin C, Glicerina VT, Vitali B, Lanciotti R, Patrignani F. Development and characterization of fermented soy milks containing encapsulated or non-encapsulated vaginal probiotics. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2023.114713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
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9
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Das S, Bhattacharjee MJ, Mukherjee AK, Khan MR. Recent advances in understanding of multifaceted changes in the vaginal microenvironment: implications in vaginal health and therapeutics. Crit Rev Microbiol 2023; 49:256-282. [PMID: 35312419 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2022.2049696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The vagina endures multifaceted changes from neonatal to menopausal phases due to hormonal flux, metabolite deposition, and microbial colonization. These features have important implications in women's health. Several pre-factors show dynamic characteristics according to the phases that shift the vaginal microbiota from anaerobes to aerobes which is a hallmark of healthy vaginal environment. These factors include oestrogen levels, glycogen deposition, and vaginal microstructure. In the adult phase, Lactobacillus is highly dominant and regulates pH, adherence, aggregation, immune modulation, synthesis of bacteriocins, and biosurfactants (BSs) which are antagonistic to pathogens. Maternal factors are protective by favouring the colonization of lactobacilli in the vagina in the neonatal phase, which diminishes with age. The dominance of lactobacilli and dysbiosis in the adult phase depends on intrinsic and extrinsic factors in women, which vary between ethnicities. Recent developments in probiotics used against vaginal microbiome dysbiosis have shown great promise in restoring the normal microbiota including preventing the loss of beneficial bacteria. However, further in-depth studies are warranted to ensure long-term protection by probiotics. This review highlights various aspects of the vaginal microenvironment in different phases of growth and diverse ethnicities. Furthermore, it discusses future trends for formulating more effective population-specific probiotics and implications of paraprobiotics and postbiotics as effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmita Das
- Division of Life Science, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, India
| | | | - Ashis K Mukherjee
- Division of Life Science, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, India.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Tezpur, India
| | - Mojibur Rohman Khan
- Division of Life Science, Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology, Guwahati, India
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10
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Giordani B, Abruzzo A, Parolin C, Foschi C, Laghi L, Marangoni A, Luppi B, Vitali B. Prebiotic Activity of Vaginal Lactobacilli on Bifidobacteria: from Concept to Formulation. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0200922. [PMID: 36602371 PMCID: PMC9927276 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02009-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut of babies born vaginally is rapidly colonized by Bifidobacterium spp. after birth, while in infants born by cesarean section (C-section), the presence of bifidobacteria drops dramatically, increasing the risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders. Considering that newborns naturally come into contact with maternal lactobacilli as they pass through the birth canal, the aim of this work is to exploit for the first time the bifidogenic activity exerted by the cell-free supernatants (CFSs) from lactobacilli of vaginal origin, belonging to the species Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Limosilactobacillus vaginalis, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. CFSs were recovered after 7 h, 13 h, and 24 h of fermentation and assessed for the ability to stimulate the planktonic growth and biofilms of Bifidobacterium strains belonging to species widely represented in the gut tract. A bifidogenic effect was observed for all CFSs; such activity was maximal for CFSs recovered in exponential phase and was strongly dependent on the species of lactobacilli. Importantly, no stimulating effects on an intestinal Escherichia coli strain were observed. CFSs from L. vaginalis BC17 showed the best bifidogenic profile since they increased bifidobacterial planktonic growth by up to 432% and biofilm formation by up to 289%. The CFS at 7 h from BC17 was successfully formulated with a hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel aimed at preventing and treating breast sores in lactating women and exerting bifidogenic activity in infants born mainly by C-section. IMPORTANCE Bifidobacteria in the gut tract of infants play crucial roles in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases and the maturation of the immune system. Consequently, strategies to trigger a bifidogenic shift in the infant gut are highly desirable. Evidences suggest that the presence of a maternal vaginal microbiota dominated by health-promoting lactobacilli and the development of a bifidobacterium-enriched gut microbiota in newborns are interconnected. In this context, we found out that the cell-free supernatants from lactobacilli of vaginal origin were able to effectively stimulate the proliferation of Bifidobacterium spp. grown in free-floating and biofilm forms. The cell-free supernatant from Limosilactobacillus vaginalis BC17 showed excellent bifidogenic behavior, which was preserved even after its incorporation into a nipple formulation for lactating women. Lactobacilli derivatives, such as cell-free supernatants, have gained increasing interest by virtue of their safer profile than that of living cells and can be proposed as an ecosustainable approach to favor gut colonization of infants by bifidobacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Giordani
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Angela Abruzzo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carola Parolin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Foschi
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Microbiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Laghi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Antonella Marangoni
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Luppi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Vitali
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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11
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Lebedeva OP, Popov VN, Syromyatnikov MY, Starkova NN, Maslov AY, Kozarenko ON, Gryaznova MV. Female reproductive tract microbiome and early miscarriages. APMIS 2023; 131:61-76. [PMID: 36511842 PMCID: PMC10107729 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Miscarriage is one of the main causes of reproductive loss, which can lead to a number of physical and psychological complications and other long-term consequences. However, the role of vaginal and uterine microbiome in such complications is poorly understood. To review the published data on the function of the female reproductive tract microbiome in the pathogenesis of early miscarriages. The articles published over the past 20 years and deposited in PubMed, Google Academy, Scopus, Elibrary, ResearchGate, and EBSCO databases were analyzed. The review presents new data on the impact of the vaginal and uterine microbiome on the local immunity, including defense against sexually transmitted infections, and its association with other factors of miscarriages. The studies on the microbiome of non-pregnant women with recurrent miscarriages in the anamnesis, patients undergoing IVF, and pregnant women with miscarriages, as well as new directions in the microbiome research are discussed. The majority of studies have demonstrated that the dominant species of the vaginal and uterine microbiome in patients with early miscarriages are non-Lactobacillus bacteria. As many of these bacteria have not previously been detected by cultural studies and their role in obstetric complications is not well defined, further research on the female reproductive tract microbiome, including the microbiome of the cervix uteri, is needed to develop new approaches for the prognosis and prevention of miscarriages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga P Lebedeva
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Belgorod National Research University, Belgorod, Russia.,Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, Voronezh, Russia
| | - Vasily N Popov
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, Voronezh, Russia.,Department of Genetics, Cytology, and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, Voronezh, Russia
| | - Mikhail Y Syromyatnikov
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, Voronezh, Russia.,Department of Genetics, Cytology, and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, Voronezh, Russia
| | | | - Alexander Y Maslov
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College, New York City, NY, USA.,Laboratory of Applied Genomic Technologies, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, Voronezh, Russia
| | - Olesya N Kozarenko
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, Voronezh, Russia.,Female Health Department, Yakovlevo Central District Hospital, Belgorod Region, Russia
| | - Mariya V Gryaznova
- Laboratory of Metagenomics and Food Biotechnology, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, Voronezh, Russia.,Department of Genetics, Cytology, and Bioengineering, Voronezh State University, Voronezh, Russia
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12
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Croatti V, Parolin C, Giordani B, Foschi C, Fedi S, Vitali B. Lactobacilli extracellular vesicles: potential postbiotics to support the vaginal microbiota homeostasis. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:237. [PMCID: PMC9664694 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01963-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Lactobacillus species dominate the vaginal microflora performing a first-line defense against vaginal infections. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by lactobacilli are considered mediators of their beneficial effects affecting cellular communication, homeostasis, microbial balance, and host immune system pathways. Up to now, very little is known about the role played by Lactobacillus EVs in the vaginal microenvironment, and mechanisms of action remain poorly understood.
Results
Here, we hypothesized that EVs can mediate lactobacilli beneficial effects to the host by modulating the vaginal microbiota colonization. We recovered and characterized EVs produced by two vaginal strains, namely Lactobacillus crispatus BC5 and Lactobacillus gasseri BC12. EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and physically characterized by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). EVs protein and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) content was also evaluated. We explored the role of EVs on bacterial adhesion and colonization, using a cervical cell line (HeLa) as an in vitro model. Specifically, we evaluated the effect of EVs on the adhesion of both vaginal beneficial lactobacilli and opportunistic pathogens (i.e., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Enterococcus faecalis). We demonstrated that EVs from L. crispatus BC5 and L. gasseri BC12 significantly enhanced the cellular adhesion of all tested lactobacilli, reaching the maximum stimulation effect on strains belonging to L. crispatus species (335% and 269% of average adhesion, respectively). At the same time, EVs reduced the adhesion of all tested pathogens, being EVs from L. gasseri BC12 the most efficient.
Conclusions
Our observations suggest for the first time that EVs released by symbiotic Lactobacillus strains favor healthy vaginal homeostasis by supporting the colonization of beneficial species and preventing pathogens attachment. This study reinforces the concept of EVs as valid postbiotics and opens the perspective of developing postbiotics from vaginal strains to maintain microbiota homeostasis and promote women’s health.
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13
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Menichini D, Chiossi G, Monari F, De Seta F, Facchinetti F. Supplementation of Probiotics in Pregnant Women Targeting Group B Streptococcus Colonization: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14214520. [PMID: 36364782 PMCID: PMC9657808 DOI: 10.3390/nu14214520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine if probiotic supplementation in pregnancy reduced maternal Group B streptococcus (GBS) recto-vaginal colonization in pregnant women at 35–37 weeks of gestation. Electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library) were searched from inception up to February 2022. We included RCTs assessing the effects of probiotic supplementation in pregnancy on GBS recto-vaginal colonization. The primary outcome was GBS-positive recto-vaginal cultures performed at 35–37 weeks of gestation. Secondarily, we evaluated obstetric and short-term neonatal outcomes. A total of 132 publications were identified; 9 full-length articles were reviewed to finally include 5 studies. Probiotic supplementation reduced vaginal GBS colonization: the GBS positive culture rate was estimated at 31.9% (96/301) in the intervention group compared to 38.6% (109/282) in the control group (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.40–0.94, I2 4.8%, p = 0.38). The treatment started after 30 weeks of gestation and was more effective in reducing GBS colonization (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.21–0.78, I2 0%, p = 0.55). Probiotic administration during pregnancy, namely in the third trimester, was associated with a reduced GBS recto-vaginal colonization at 35–37 weeks and a safe perinatal profile. Whether this new strategy could reduce the exposition of pregnant women to significant doses of antibiotics in labor needs to be evaluated in other trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Menichini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, International Doctorate School in Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0594225826
| | - Giuseppe Chiossi
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Francesca Monari
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Francesco De Seta
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health “IRCCS Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabio Facchinetti
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy
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14
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Silva JA, Marchesi A, Aristimuño Ficosecco MC, Nader‐Macías MEF. Functional and Safety Characterization of Beneficial Vaginal Lactic Acid Bacteria (
BVLAB
) for the Design of Vaginal Hygiene Products. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 133:3041-3058. [DOI: 10.1111/jam.15752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Alejandra Silva
- CERELA‐CONICET (Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina). Chacabuco 145. 4000. San Miguel de Tucumán. Argentina
| | - Antonella Marchesi
- CERELA‐CONICET (Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina). Chacabuco 145. 4000. San Miguel de Tucumán. Argentina
| | - María Cecilia Aristimuño Ficosecco
- CERELA‐CONICET (Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina). Chacabuco 145. 4000. San Miguel de Tucumán. Argentina
| | - María Elena Fátima Nader‐Macías
- CERELA‐CONICET (Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos‐ Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina). Chacabuco 145. 4000. San Miguel de Tucumán. Argentina
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15
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Sunkavalli A, McClure R, Genco C. Molecular Regulatory Mechanisms Drive Emergent Pathogenetic Properties of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Microorganisms 2022; 10:922. [PMID: 35630366 PMCID: PMC9147433 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the causative agent of the sexually transmitted infection (STI) gonorrhea, with an estimated 87 million annual cases worldwide. N. gonorrhoeae predominantly colonizes the male and female genital tract (FGT). In the FGT, N. gonorrhoeae confronts fluctuating levels of nutrients and oxidative and non-oxidative antimicrobial defenses of the immune system, as well as the resident microbiome. One mechanism utilized by N. gonorrhoeae to adapt to this dynamic FGT niche is to modulate gene expression primarily through DNA-binding transcriptional regulators. Here, we describe the major N. gonorrhoeae transcriptional regulators, genes under their control, and how these regulatory processes lead to pathogenic properties of N. gonorrhoeae during natural infection. We also discuss the current knowledge of the structure, function, and diversity of the FGT microbiome and its influence on gonococcal survival and transcriptional responses orchestrated by its DNA-binding regulators. We conclude with recent multi-omics data and modeling tools and their application to FGT microbiome dynamics. Understanding the strategies utilized by N. gonorrhoeae to regulate gene expression and their impact on the emergent characteristics of this pathogen during infection has the potential to identify new effective strategies to both treat and prevent gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwini Sunkavalli
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
| | - Ryan McClure
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA;
| | - Caroline Genco
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
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16
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Morales B, Spadetto L, Calvo MÀ, Yeste M, Arosemena L, Rigau T, Rivera del Alamo MM. Evaluation of the Probiotic In Vitro Potential of Lactic Acid-Producing Bacteria from Canine Vagina: Possible Role in Vaginal Health. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060796. [PMID: 35327193 PMCID: PMC8944649 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The use of microorganisms with probiotic capacity, obtained from the natural microbiota itself, is an alternative tool for the treatment and prevention of some animal pathologies. In this study, a total of 94 bitches were sampled in order to identify the lactic acid-producing microbiota of the vagina. Following the general isolation of the vaginal microbiota, 100 strains of lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) were identified. Through Gram staining and basic biochemical tests (catalase, oxidase and haemolysis), 13 LAB strains with possible probiotic capacity were selected to undergo an evaluation of resistance to gastrointestinal conditions (pH, lysozyme, bile salts and hydrogen peroxide) and safety and efficacy in vitro (resistance to antibiotics and antimicrobial capacity by disk diffusion). After the selection, only 3 of 100 strains showed in vitro probiotic potential. Abstract Lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB) are being widely studied due to their probiotic potential. The aim of the present study was to determine and identify the presence of LAB from canine vaginal samples, as well as to evaluate their probiotic in vitro potential. Ninety-four bitches were included in the study. Vaginal samples were obtained by means of a sterile swab and streaked on Man Rogosa Sharpe agar plates. A total of 100 LAB strains were obtained and submitted to Gram stains and basic biochemical tests, which included catalase, oxidase and haemolysis tests. Thirteen strains belonging to the genera Lactobacillus (n = 10), Lactococcus (n = 2) and Pediococcus (n = 1) were selected as potential probiotics and further subjected to evaluation of resistance to gastrointestinal conditions (pH, lysozyme, bile salts and hydrogen peroxide) and safety and efficacy in vitro (resistance to antibiotics and antimicrobial capacity). Only three strains, one Lactobacillus lactis and two Lactobacillus plantarum, accomplished the requirements for being considered as potential in vitro probiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Morales
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (B.M.); (M.À.C.); (L.A.)
| | - Livia Spadetto
- Toxicology Research Group, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain;
| | - Maria Àngels Calvo
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (B.M.); (M.À.C.); (L.A.)
| | - Marc Yeste
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Griona, 17071 Girona, Spain;
| | - Leonardo Arosemena
- Department of Animal Health and Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (B.M.); (M.À.C.); (L.A.)
| | - Teresa Rigau
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain;
- Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Maria Montserrat Rivera del Alamo
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain;
- Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Correspondence:
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17
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Control of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogenic Staphylococci Associated with Vaginal Infection Using Biosurfactants Derived from Potential Probiotic Bacillus Strain. FERMENTATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation8010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Biosurfactants exhibit antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. They can be used as therapeutic agents and in the fight against infectious diseases. Moreover, the anti-adhesive properties against several pathogens point to the possibility that they might serve as an anti-adhesive coating agent for medical inserts and prevent nosocomial infections, without using synthetic substances. In this study, the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, cell surface hydrophobicity, and antioxidative activities of biosurfactant extracted from Bacillus sp., against four pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus spp. associated with vaginal infection, were studied. Our results have shown that the tested biosurfactant possesses a promising antioxidant potential, and an antibacterial potency against multidrug clinical isolates of Staphylococcus, with an inhibitory diameter ranging between 27 and 37 mm, and a bacterial growth inhibition at an MIC of 1 mg/ mL, obtained. The BioSa3 was highly effective on the biofilm formation of different tested pathogenic strains. Following their treatment by BioSa3, a significant decrease in bacterial attachment (p < 0.05) was justified by the reduction in the optical (from 0.709 to 0.111) following their treatment by BioSa3. The antibiofilm effect can be attributed to its ability to alter the membrane physiology of the tested pathogens to cause a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of over 50% of the surface hydrophobicity. Based on the obtained result of the bioactivities in the current study, BioSa3 is a good candidate in new therapeutics to better control multidrug-resistant bacteria and overcome bacterial biofilm-associated infections by protecting surfaces from microbial contamination.
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18
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Unravelling the functional and technological potential of soy milk based microencapsulated Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus gasseri. J Funct Foods 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2021.104745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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19
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Dijokaite A, Humbert MV, Borkowski E, La Ragione RM, Christodoulides M. Establishing an invertebrate Galleria mellonella greater wax moth larval model of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. Virulence 2021; 12:1900-1920. [PMID: 34304706 PMCID: PMC8312596 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1950269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococcus) causes the human sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea. Studying gonococcal pathogenesis and developing new vaccines and therapies to combat the increasing prevalence of multi-antibiotic resistant bacteria has made use of many ex vivo models based on human cells and tissues, and in vivo vertebrate models, for example, rodent, pig and human. The focus of the current study was to examine the utility of the invertebrate greater wax moth Galleria mellonella as an in vivo model of gonococcal infection. We observed that a threshold of ~106 - 107 gonococci/larva was required to kill >50% of larvae (P < 0.05), and increased toxicity correlated with reduced health index scores and pronounced histopathological changes such as increases in the total lesion grade, melanized nodules, hemocyte reaction, and multifocal adipose body degeneration. Larval death was independent of the expression of pilus or Opa protein or LOS sialylation within a single gonococcal species studied, but the model could demonstrate relative toxicity of different isolates. N. meningitidis, N. lacatamica and gonococci all killed larvae equally, but were significantly less toxic (P > 0.05) than Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Larvae primed with nontoxic doses of gonococci were more susceptible to subsequent challenge with homologous and heterologous bacteria, and larval survival was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in infected larvae after depletion of their hemocytes with clodronate-liposomes. The model was used to test the anti-gonococcal properties of antibiotics and novel antimicrobials. Ceftriaxone (P < 0.05) protected larvae from infection with different gonococcal isolates, but not azithromycin or monocaprin or ligand-coated silver nanoclusters (P > 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiste Dijokaite
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, Academic School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
| | - Maria Victoria Humbert
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, Academic School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
| | - Emma Borkowski
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Roberto M La Ragione
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, Academic School of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, UK
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20
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Severgnini M, Camboni T, Ceccarani C, Morselli S, Cantiani A, Zagonari S, Patuelli G, Pedna MF, Sambri V, Foschi C, Consolandi C, Marangoni A. Distribution of ermB, ermF, tet(W), and tet(M) Resistance Genes in the Vaginal Ecosystem of Women during Pregnancy and Puerperium. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121546. [PMID: 34959501 PMCID: PMC8705968 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The inhabitants of the vaginal ecosystem can harbor genetic determinants conferring antimicrobial resistance. However, detailed data about the distribution of resistance genes in the vaginal microbiome of pregnant women are still lacking. Therefore, we assessed the presence of macrolide (i.e., erm genes) and tetracycline (i.e., tet genes) resistance markers in the vaginal environment of Caucasian women at different gestational ages. Furthermore, the detection of resistance genes was related to the composition of the vaginal microbiota. A total of 228 vaginal samples, collected at different trimesters of pregnancy or during the puerperium, were tested for the presence of ermB, ermF, tet(W), and tet(M) by in-house end-point PCR assays. The composition of the vaginal microbiota was assessed through a microscopic evaluation (i.e., Nugent score) and by means of sequencing V3–V4 hypervariable regions of the bacterial 16 rRNA gene. Overall, the most detected resistance gene was tet(M) (76.7%), followed by ermB (55.2%). In 17% of women, mainly with a ‘normal’ vaginal microbiota, no resistance genes were found. Except for tet(W), a significant correlation between the positivity of resistance genes and a dysbiotic vaginal status (i.e., bacterial vaginosis (BV)) was noticed. Indeed, samples positive for at least one resistance determinant were characterized by a decrease in Lactobacillus spp. and an increase of BV-related genera (Prevotella, Gardnerella, Atopobium, Sneathia). A high predominance of vaginal Lactobacillus spp. (>85%) was associated with a lower risk of tet(W) gene detection, whereas the presence of Megasphaera (>1%) increased the risk of positivity for all analyzed genes. Different types of vaginal microbiota are associated with peculiar resistance profiles, being a lactobacilli-dominated ecosystem poor in or free of resistance genes. These data could open new perspectives for promoting maternal and neonatal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Severgnini
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, 20054 Segrate, Italy; (M.S.); (T.C.); (C.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Tania Camboni
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, 20054 Segrate, Italy; (M.S.); (T.C.); (C.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Camilla Ceccarani
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, 20054 Segrate, Italy; (M.S.); (T.C.); (C.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Sara Morselli
- Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (S.M.); (A.C.); (V.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Alessia Cantiani
- Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (S.M.); (A.C.); (V.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Sara Zagonari
- Family Advisory Health Centres, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (S.Z.); (G.P.)
| | - Giulia Patuelli
- Family Advisory Health Centres, 48121 Ravenna, Italy; (S.Z.); (G.P.)
| | | | - Vittorio Sambri
- Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (S.M.); (A.C.); (V.S.); (A.M.)
- Unit of Microbiology, Greater Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47023 Cesena, Italy;
| | - Claudio Foschi
- Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (S.M.); (A.C.); (V.S.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0512144513
| | - Clarissa Consolandi
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, 20054 Segrate, Italy; (M.S.); (T.C.); (C.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Antonella Marangoni
- Microbiology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40128 Bologna, Italy; (S.M.); (A.C.); (V.S.); (A.M.)
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21
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In Silico and In Vitro Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Potential of Bacillus cereus Isolated from Apis dorsata Gut against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10111401. [PMID: 34827339 PMCID: PMC8614935 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10111401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health and development concern on a global scale. The increasing resistance of the pathogenic bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antibiotics necessitates efforts to identify potential alternative antibiotics from nature, including insects, which are already recognized as a source of natural antibiotics by the scientific community. This study aimed to determine the potential of components of gut-associated bacteria isolated from Apis dorsata, an Asian giant honeybee, as an antibacterial against N. gonorrhoeae by in vitro and in silico methods as an initial process in the stage of new drug discovery. The identified gut-associated bacteria of A. dorsata included Acinetobacter indicus and Bacillus cereus with 100% identity to referenced bacteria from GenBank. Cell-free culture supernatants (CFCS) of B. cereus had a very strong antibacterial activity against N. gonorrhoeae in an in vitro antibacterial testing. Meanwhile, molecular docking revealed that antimicrobial lipopeptides from B. cereus (surfactin, fengycin, and iturin A) had a comparable value of binding-free energy (BFE) with the target protein receptor for N. gonorrhoeae, namely penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 1 and PBP2 when compared with the ceftriaxone, cefixime, and doxycycline. The molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) study revealed that the surfactin remains stable at the active site of PBP2 despite the alteration of the H-bond and hydrophobic interactions. According to this finding, surfactin has the greatest antibacterial potential against PBP2 of N. gonorrhoeae.
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22
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Wu X, Kitahara G, Suenaga T, Naramoto K, Sekiguchi S, Goto Y, Osawa T. Association of intrauterine presence of Lactobacillus spp. with inflammation and pathogenic bacteria in the uterus in postpartum dairy cows. J Reprod Dev 2021; 67:340-344. [PMID: 34602527 PMCID: PMC8668369 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to clarify the influence of Lactobacillus spp. on the degree of endometrial inflammation in the postpartum period and the
relationship between Lactobacillus spp. and pathogenic bacteria in the endometrium of postpartum dairy cows. Endometrial samples were collected from 41
Holstein-Friesian cows at 4 and 8 weeks postpartum using cytobrushes for polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) count and bacterial culture to isolate Lactobacillus
spp., Escherichiacoli, and Trueperella pyogenes. The 4-week samples were divided into four groups (E+L+), (E+L−),
(E−L+), (E−L−) according to whether endometritis was diagnosed (E+) and Lactobacillus spp. was isolated (L+). The diagnostic criterion for cytological
endometritis was > 18% PMN. The average PMN% in the E+L+ group was lower than that in the E+L-group (P < 0.05) at 8 weeks postpartum. There were no significant correlations between the
number of colonies of Lactobacillus spp. and E. coli or between that of Lactobacillus spp. and T. pyogenes.
Lactobacillus spp. could reduce PMN% in dairy cows with endometritis during the puerperal period. In conclusion, the intrauterine presence of
Lactobacillus spp. may have a positive effect on uterine involution in postpartum dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Wu
- Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan
| | - Go Kitahara
- Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.,Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Suenaga
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Kanami Naramoto
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Satoshi Sekiguchi
- Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.,Laboratory of Animal Infectious Disease and Prevention, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Goto
- Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.,Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Takeshi Osawa
- Graduate School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-1692, Japan.,Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
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Kumar A, Singh SK, Kant C, Verma H, Kumar D, Singh PP, Modi A, Droby S, Kesawat MS, Alavilli H, Bhatia SK, Saratale GD, Saratale RG, Chung SM, Kumar M. Microbial Biosurfactant: A New Frontier for Sustainable Agriculture and Pharmaceutical Industries. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1472. [PMID: 34573103 PMCID: PMC8469275 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current scenario of changing climatic conditions and the rising global population, there is an urgent need to explore novel, efficient, and economical natural products for the benefit of humankind. Biosurfactants are one of the latest explored microbial synthesized biomolecules that have been used in numerous fields, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food processing, and environment-cleaning industries, as a source of raw materials, for the lubrication, wetting, foaming, emulsions formulations, and as stabilizing dispersions. The amphiphilic nature of biosurfactants have shown to be a great advantage, distributing themselves into two immiscible surfaces by reducing the interfacial surface tension and increasing the solubility of hydrophobic compounds. Furthermore, their eco-friendly nature, low or even no toxic nature, durability at higher temperatures, and ability to withstand a wide range of pH fluctuations make microbial surfactants preferable compared to their chemical counterparts. Additionally, biosurfactants can obviate the oxidation flow by eliciting antioxidant properties, antimicrobial and anticancer activities, and drug delivery systems, further broadening their applicability in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Nowadays, biosurfactants have been broadly utilized to improve the soil quality by improving the concentration of trace elements and have either been mixed with pesticides or applied singly on the plant surfaces for plant disease management. In the present review, we summarize the latest research on microbial synthesized biosurfactant compounds, the limiting factors of biosurfactant production, their application in improving soil quality and plant disease management, and their use as antioxidant or antimicrobial compounds in the pharmaceutical industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kumar
- Agriculture Research Organization, Volcani Center, Department of Postharvest Science, Rishon Lezzion 50250, Israel; (A.K.); (A.M.); (S.D.)
| | - Sandeep Kumar Singh
- Centre of Advance Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India; (S.K.S.); (D.K.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Chandra Kant
- Department of Botany, Dharma Samaj College, Aligarh 202001, India;
| | - Hariom Verma
- Department of Botany, B.R.D. Government Degree College, Sonbhadra, Duddhi 231218, India;
| | - Dharmendra Kumar
- Centre of Advance Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India; (S.K.S.); (D.K.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Prem Pratap Singh
- Centre of Advance Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India; (S.K.S.); (D.K.); (P.P.S.)
| | - Arpan Modi
- Agriculture Research Organization, Volcani Center, Department of Postharvest Science, Rishon Lezzion 50250, Israel; (A.K.); (A.M.); (S.D.)
| | - Samir Droby
- Agriculture Research Organization, Volcani Center, Department of Postharvest Science, Rishon Lezzion 50250, Israel; (A.K.); (A.M.); (S.D.)
| | - Mahipal Singh Kesawat
- Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Sri Sri University, Cuttack 754006, India;
| | - Hemasundar Alavilli
- Department of Bioresources Engineering, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea;
| | - Shashi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea;
| | | | - Rijuta Ganesh Saratale
- Research Institute of Biotechnology and Medical Converged Science, Dongguk University, Seoul 10326, Korea;
| | - Sang-Min Chung
- Department of Life Science, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul 10326, Korea;
| | - Manu Kumar
- Department of Life Science, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul 10326, Korea;
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24
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das Neves Selis N, de Oliveira HBM, Leão HF, Dos Anjos YB, Sampaio BA, Correia TML, Almeida CF, Pena LSC, Reis MM, Brito TLS, Brito LF, Campos GB, Timenetsky J, Cruz MP, Rezende RP, Romano CC, da Costa AM, Yatsuda R, Uetanabaro APT, Marques LM. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains isolated from spontaneously fermented cocoa exhibit potential probiotic properties against Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:198. [PMID: 34187371 PMCID: PMC8243870 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02264-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Probiotics are important tools in therapies against vaginal infections and can assist traditional antibiotic therapies in restoring healthy microbiota. Recent research has shown that microorganisms belonging to the genus Lactobacillus have probiotic potential. Thus, this study evaluated the potential in vitro probiotic properties of three strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, isolated during the fermentation of high-quality cocoa, against Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Strains were evaluated for their physiological, safety, and antimicrobial characteristics. Results The hydrophobicity of L. plantarum strains varied from 26.67 to 91.67%, and their autoaggregation varied from 18.10 to 30.64%. The co-aggregation of L. plantarum strains with G. vaginalis ranged from 14.73 to 16.31%, and from 29.14 to 45.76% with N. gonorrhoeae. All L. plantarum strains could moderately or strongly produce biofilms. L. plantarum strains did not show haemolytic activity and were generally sensitive to the tested antimicrobials. All lactobacillus strains were tolerant to heat and pH resistance tests. All three strains of L. plantarum showed antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens. The coincubation of L. plantarum strains with pathogens showed that the culture pH remained below 4.5 after 24 h. All cell-free culture supernatants (CFCS) demonstrated activity against the two pathogens tested, and all L. plantarum strains produced hydrogen peroxide. CFCS characterisation in conjunction with gas chromatography revealed that organic acids, especially lactic acid, were responsible for the antimicrobial activity against the pathogens evaluated. Conclusion The three strains of L. plantarum presented significant probiotic characteristics against the two pathogens of clinical importance. In vitro screening identified strong probiotic candidates for in vivo studies for the treatment of vaginal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan das Neves Selis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia e Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Pavilhão Max de Menezes, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Salobrinho, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Hellen Braga Martins de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia e Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Pavilhão Max de Menezes, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Salobrinho, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Hiago Ferreira Leão
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Yan Bento Dos Anjos
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Almeida Sampaio
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Thiago Macêdo Lopes Correia
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Carolline Florentino Almeida
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Larissa Silva Carvalho Pena
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Mariane Mares Reis
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Thamara Louisy Santos Brito
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Laís Ferraz Brito
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Barreto Campos
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Jorge Timenetsky
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Professor Lineu Prestes, 2415, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariluze Peixoto Cruz
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Rachel Passos Rezende
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia e Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Pavilhão Max de Menezes, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Salobrinho, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Carla Cristina Romano
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia e Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Pavilhão Max de Menezes, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Salobrinho, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Andréa Miura da Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia e Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Pavilhão Max de Menezes, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Salobrinho, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Microbiologia da Agroindústria, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Salobrinho, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Regiane Yatsuda
- Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Trovatti Uetanabaro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia e Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Pavilhão Max de Menezes, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Salobrinho, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Laboratório de Microbiologia da Agroindústria, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Salobrinho, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Lucas Miranda Marques
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia e Biotecnologia de Microrganismos, Pavilhão Max de Menezes, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Salobrinho, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, CEP 45662-900, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil. .,Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus Anísio Teixeira, Rua Hormindo Barros, 58, CEP 45029-094, Vitória da Conquista, BA, Brazil.
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25
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Abbasi A, Aghebati-Maleki L, Homayouni-Rad A. The promising biological role of postbiotics derived from probiotic Lactobacillus species in reproductive health. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021; 62:8829-8841. [PMID: 34152234 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.1935701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent investigations have meaningfully developed our knowledge of the features of the reproductive microbiome/metabolome profile and their relations with host responses to offer an optimal milieu for the development of the embryo during the peri-implantation period and throughout pregnancy. In this context, the establishment of homeostatic circumstances in the Female Reproductive Tract (FRT), in various physiological periods, is a significant challenge, which appears the application of postbiotics can facilitate the achievement of this goal. So, currently, scientific literature confirms that postbiotics due to their antimicrobial, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties can be considered as a novel biotherapeutic approach. Future investigation in this field will shed more translational mechanistic understanding of the interaction of the postbiotics derived from vaginal Lactobacilli with females' health and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Abbasi
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition & Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Aziz Homayouni-Rad
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Nutrition & Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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26
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Han Y, Liu Z, Chen T. Role of Vaginal Microbiota Dysbiosis in Gynecological Diseases and the Potential Interventions. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:643422. [PMID: 34220737 PMCID: PMC8249587 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.643422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaginal microbiota dysbiosis, characterized by the loss of Lactobacillus dominance and increase of microbial diversity, is closely related to gynecological diseases; thus, intervention on microbiota composition is significant and promising in the treatment of gynecological diseases. Currently, antibiotics and/or probiotics are the mainstay of treatment, which show favorable therapeutic effects but also bring problems such as drug resistance and high recurrence. In this review, we discuss the role of vaginal microbiota dysbiosis in various gynecological infectious and non-infectious diseases, as well as the current and potential interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhaoxia Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tingtao Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China.,National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institute of Translational Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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27
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Foschi C, Parolin C, Giordani B, Morselli S, Luppi B, Vitali B, Marangoni A. Lactobacillus crispatus BC1 Biosurfactant Counteracts the Infectivity of Chlamydia trachomatis Elementary Bodies. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9050975. [PMID: 33946391 PMCID: PMC8147163 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9050975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Lactobacilli-derived biosurfactants (BS) have shown promising effects as antimicrobial molecules. Since Lactobacillus crispatus plays a crucial role in maintaining vaginal eubiosis, BS from this species could represent novel therapeutic agents to counteract sexually transmitted pathogens, such as Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). The aim of the present study was to assess the inhibitory effects of a BS produced by the vaginal strain L. crispatus BC1 on the infectivity of CT elementary bodies (EBs). For concentrations ranging between 1 and 0.5 mg/mL at 60-min contact time, L. crispatus BC1 BS displayed a highly significant anti-CT activity, with about 50% reduction of EB infectivity towards HeLa cells. To identify the components responsible for chlamydial inhibition, a panel of selected fatty acids, including those present in BS lipopeptidic structure, was tested against CT EBs. Pentadecanoic acid, myristic acid, β-hydroxy-myristic acid, and β-hydroxy-palmitic acid were able to significantly reduce EBs infectivity up to 5–0.5 µg/mL, concentrations that resulted to be non-toxic for HeLa cells. These data can contribute to the understanding of the biological role of lactobacilli in the vaginal niche, as well as to promote the application of their produced BS as an innovative and antibiotic-sparing anti-chlamydial strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Foschi
- Microbiology, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.F.); (S.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Carola Parolin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (B.L.); (B.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-2088750
| | - Barbara Giordani
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (B.L.); (B.V.)
| | - Sara Morselli
- Microbiology, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.F.); (S.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Barbara Luppi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (B.L.); (B.V.)
| | - Beatrice Vitali
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (B.G.); (B.L.); (B.V.)
| | - Antonella Marangoni
- Microbiology, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.F.); (S.M.); (A.M.)
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28
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Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Are Effectively Inhibited by Lactobacilli with Probiotic Properties Isolated from Brazilian Cupuaçu ( Theobroma grandiflorum) Fruit. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:6626249. [PMID: 33997030 PMCID: PMC8102102 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6626249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, certain Lactobacillus sp. have emerged in health care as an alternative therapy for various diseases. Based on this, this study is aimed at evaluating in vitro the potential probiotics of five lactobacilli strains isolated from pulp of cupuaçu fruit fermentation against Gardnerella vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Our lactobacilli strains were classified as safe for use in humans, and they were tolerant to heat and pH. Our strains were biofilm producers, while hydrophobicity and autoaggregation varied from 13% to 86% and 13% to 25%, respectively. The coaggregation of lactobacilli used in this study with G. vaginalis and N. gonorrhoeae ranged from 15% to 36% and 32% to 52%, respectively. Antimicrobial activity was present in all tested Lactobacillus strains against both pathogens, and the growth of pathogens in coculture was reduced by the presence of our lactobacilli. Also, all tested lactobacilli reduced the pH of the culture, even in incubation with pathogens after 24 hours. The cell-free culture supernatants (CFCS) of all five lactobacilli demonstrated activity against the two pathogens with a halo presence and CFCS characterization assay together with gas chromatography revealed that lactic acid was the most abundant organic acid in the samples (50% to 62%). Our results demonstrated that the organic acid production profile is strain-specific. This study revealed that cupuaçu is a promising source of microorganisms with probiotic properties against genital pathogens. We demonstrated by in vitro tests that our Lactobacillus strains have probiotic properties. However, the absence of in vivo tests is a limitation of our work due to the need to evaluate the interaction of our lactobacilli with pathogens in the vaginal mucosa. We believe that these findings may be useful in developing a product containing our lactobacilli and their supernatants in order to support with vaginal health.
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29
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De Giani A, Zampolli J, Di Gennaro P. Recent Trends on Biosurfactants With Antimicrobial Activity Produced by Bacteria Associated With Human Health: Different Perspectives on Their Properties, Challenges, and Potential Applications. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:655150. [PMID: 33967992 PMCID: PMC8104271 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.655150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The attention towards the bacteria associated with human health is growing more and more, above all regarding the bacteria that inhabit the niches offered by the human body, i.e., the gastrointestinal tract, skin, vaginal environment, and lungs. Among the secondary metabolites released by microorganisms associated with human health, little consideration is given to the biosurfactants, molecules with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic nature. Their role in the complex human environment is not only the mere biosurfactant function, but they could also control the microbiota through the quorum sensing system and the antimicrobial activity. These functions protect them and, accordingly, the human body principally from microbial and fungal pathogens. Consequently, nowadays, biosurfactants are emerging as promising bioactive molecules due to their very different structures, biological functions, low toxicity, higher biodegradability, and versatility. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive perspective of biosurfactants with antimicrobial activity produced by bacteria associated with the human body and related to everything human beings are in contact with, e.g., food, beverages, and food-waste dumping sites. For the first time, the role of an "-omic" approach is highlighted to predict gene products for biosurfactant production, and an overview of the available gene sequences is reported. Besides, antimicrobial biosurfactants' features, challenges, and potential applications in the biomedical, food, and nutraceutical industries are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patrizia Di Gennaro
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
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30
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Dabee S, Passmore JAS, Heffron R, Jaspan HB. The Complex Link between the Female Genital Microbiota, Genital Infections, and Inflammation. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e00487-20. [PMID: 33558324 PMCID: PMC8091093 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00487-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The female genital tract microbiota is part of a complex ecosystem influenced by several physiological, genetic, and behavioral factors. It is uniquely linked to a woman's mucosal immunity and plays a critical role in the regulation of genital inflammation. A vaginal microbiota characterized by a high abundance of lactobacilli and low overall bacterial diversity is associated with lower inflammation. On the other hand, a more diverse microbiota is linked to high mucosal inflammation levels, a compromised genital epithelial barrier, and an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections and other conditions. Several bacterial taxa such as Gardnerella spp., Prevotella spp., Sneathia spp., and Atopobium spp. are well known to have adverse effects; however, the definitive cause of this microbial dysbiosis is yet to be fully elucidated. The aim of this review is to discuss the multiple ways in which the microbiota influences the overall genital inflammatory milieu and to explore the causes and consequences of this inflammatory response. While there is abundant evidence linking a diverse genital microbiota to elevated inflammation, understanding the risk factors and mechanisms through which it affects genital health is essential. A robust appreciation of these factors is important for identifying effective prevention and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smritee Dabee
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jo-Ann S Passmore
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- CAPRISA Centre of Excellence in HIV Prevention, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Heather B Jaspan
- Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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31
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D’Alessandro M, Parolin C, Bukvicki D, Siroli L, Vitali B, De Angelis M, Lanciotti R, Patrignani F. Probiotic and Metabolic Characterization of Vaginal Lactobacilli for a Potential Use in Functional Foods. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9040833. [PMID: 33919838 PMCID: PMC8070825 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The main aim of this work was to verify the metabolic and functional aptitude of 15 vaginal strains belonging to Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Limosilactobacillus vaginalis (previously Lactobacillus vaginalis), already characterized for their technological and antimicrobial properties. In order to evaluate the metabolic profile of these vaginal strains, a phenotype microarray analysis was performed on them. Functional parameters such as hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, deconjugation of bile salts, adhesion to an intestinal cell line (Caco-2), and a simulated digestion process were evaluated for these strains. A good number of these strains showed hydrophobicity values higher than 70%. Regarding the auto-aggregation assay, the most promising strains were L. crispatus BC9 and BC1, L. gasseri BC10 and BC14, and L. vaginalis BC17. Moreover, L. crispatus BC4, BC6, BC7, and BC8 were characterized by strong bile salts hydrolase activity (BHS). In addition, L. crispatus BC8 and L. vaginalis BC17 were characterized by a medium ability to adhere to Caco-2 cells. Data related to digestion process showed a strong ability of vaginal lactobacilli to withstand this stress. In conclusion, the data collected show the metabolic versatility and several exploitable functional properties of the investigated vaginal lactobacilli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita D’Alessandro
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy; (L.S.); (R.L.); (F.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Carola Parolin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (C.P.); (B.V.)
| | - Danka Bukvicki
- Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Jevremovac”, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Lorenzo Siroli
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy; (L.S.); (R.L.); (F.P.)
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-Food Research, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Beatrice Vitali
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (C.P.); (B.V.)
| | - Maria De Angelis
- Department of Soil, Plant, and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Rosalba Lanciotti
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy; (L.S.); (R.L.); (F.P.)
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-Food Research, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Patrignani
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy; (L.S.); (R.L.); (F.P.)
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-Food Research, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
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Laghi L, Zagonari S, Patuelli G, Zhu C, Foschi C, Morselli S, Pedna MF, Sambri V, Marangoni A. Vaginal metabolic profiles during pregnancy: Changes between first and second trimester. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0249925. [PMID: 33831087 PMCID: PMC8031435 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, the vaginal microbiome plays an important role in both maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Throughout pregnancy, the vaginal microbial composition undergoes significant changes, including a decrease in overall diversity and enrichment with Lactobacillus spp. In turn, the modifications in the microbial profiles are associated with shifts in the composition of vaginal metabolites. In this study, we characterized the vaginal metabolic profiles throughout pregnancy at two different gestational ages, correlating them with a microscopic evaluation of the vaginal bacterial composition. A total of 67 Caucasian pregnant women presenting to the Family Advisory Health Centres of Ravenna (Italy) were enrolled and a vaginal swab was collected at gestational ages 9–13 weeks (first trimester) and 20–24 weeks (second trimester). The composition of the vaginal microbiome was assessed by Nugent score and women were divided in ‘H’ (normal lactobacilli-dominated microbiota), ‘I’ (intermediate microbiota), and ‘BV’ (bacterial vaginosis) groups. Starting from the cell-free supernatants of the vaginal swabs, a metabolomic analysis was performed by means of a 1H-NMR spectroscopy. From the first to the second trimester, a greater number of women showed a normal lactobacilli-dominated microbiota, with a reduction of cases of dysbiosis. These microbial shifts were associated with profound changes in the vaginal metabolic profiles. Over the weeks, a significant reduction in the levels of BV-associated metabolites (e.g. acetate, propionate, tyramine, methylamine, putrescine) was observed. At the same time, the vaginal metabolome was characterized by higher concentrations of lactate and of several amino acids (e.g. tryptophan, threonine, isoleucine, leucine), typically found in healthy vaginal conditions. Over time, the vaginal metabolome became less diverse and more homogeneous: in the second trimester, women with BV showed metabolic profiles more similar to the healthy/intermediate groups, compared to the first trimester. Our data could help unravel the role of vaginal metabolites in the pathophysiology of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Laghi
- Department of Agro-Food Science and Technology, Centre of Foodomics, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | | | | | - Chenglin Zhu
- Department of Agro-Food Science and Technology, Centre of Foodomics, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Claudio Foschi
- Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Sara Morselli
- Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Federica Pedna
- Unit of Microbiology, Greater Romagna Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Unit of Microbiology, Greater Romagna Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena, Italy
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The cause of bacterial vaginosis, the most common cause of vaginal discharge in women, remains controversial. We recently published an updated conceptual model on bacterial vaginosis pathogenesis, focusing on the roles of Gardnerella vaginalis and Prevotella bivia as early colonizers and Atopobium vaginae and other bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria (BVAB) as secondary colonizers in this infection. In this article, we extend the description of our model to include a discussion on the role of host-vaginal microbiota interactions in bacterial vaginosis pathogenesis. RECENT FINDINGS Although G. vaginalis and P. bivia are highly abundant in women with bacterial vaginosis, neither induce a robust inflammatory response from vaginal epithelial cells. These early colonizers may be evading the immune system while establishing the bacterial vaginosis biofilm. Secondary colonizers, including A. vaginae, Sneathia spp., and potentially other BVAB are more potent stimulators of the host-immune response to bacterial vaginosis and likely contribute to its signs and symptoms as well as its adverse outcomes. SUMMARY Elucidating the cause of bacterial vaginosis has important implications for diagnosis and treatment. Our current bacterial vaginosis pathogenesis model provides a framework for key elements that should be considered when designing and testing novel bacterial vaginosis diagnostics and therapeutics.
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Lim KYL, Mullally CA, Haese EC, Kibble EA, McCluskey NR, Mikucki EC, Thai VC, Stubbs KA, Sarkar-Tyson M, Kahler CM. Anti-Virulence Therapeutic Approaches for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Antibiotics (Basel) 2021; 10:antibiotics10020103. [PMID: 33494538 PMCID: PMC7911339 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10020103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
While antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is seen in both Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis, the former has become resistant to commonly available over-the-counter antibiotic treatments. It is imperative then to develop new therapies that combat current AMR isolates whilst also circumventing the pathways leading to the development of AMR. This review highlights the growing research interest in developing anti-virulence therapies (AVTs) which are directed towards inhibiting virulence factors to prevent infection. By targeting virulence factors that are not essential for gonococcal survival, it is hypothesized that this will impart a smaller selective pressure for the emergence of resistance in the pathogen and in the microbiome, thus avoiding AMR development to the anti-infective. This review summates the current basis of numerous anti-virulence strategies being explored for N. gonorrhoeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Y. L. Lim
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Christopher A. Mullally
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Ethan C. Haese
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Emily A. Kibble
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Nicolie R. McCluskey
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia
| | - Edward C. Mikucki
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Van C. Thai
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Keith A. Stubbs
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Mitali Sarkar-Tyson
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
| | - Charlene M. Kahler
- Marshall Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; (K.Y.L.L.); (C.A.M.); (E.C.H.); (E.A.K.); (N.R.M.); (E.C.M.); (V.C.T.); (M.S.-T.)
- Correspondence:
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Aho EL, Ogle JM, Finck AM. The Human Microbiome as a Focus of Antibiotic Discovery: Neisseria mucosa Displays Activity Against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:577762. [PMID: 33343520 PMCID: PMC7744932 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.577762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are a serious global health problem. This organism has developed disturbing levels of antibiotic resistance, resulting in the need for new approaches to prevent and treat gonorrhea. The genus Neisseria also includes several members of the human microbiome that live in close association with an array of microbial partners in a variety of niches. We designed an undergraduate antibiotic discovery project to examine a panel of nonpathogenic Neisseria species for their ability to produce antimicrobial secondary metabolites. Five strains belonging to the N. mucosa species group displayed activity against other Neisseria in delayed antagonism assays; three of these were active against N. gonorrhoeae. The antimicrobial compound secreted by N. mucosa NRL 9300 remained active in the presence of catalase, trypsin, and HEPES buffer, and effectively inhibited a DNA uptake mutant of N. gonorrhoeae. Antimicrobial activity was also retained in an ethyl acetate extract of plate grown N. mucosa NRL 9300. These data suggest N. mucosa produces an antimicrobial secondary metabolite that is distinct from previously described antigonococcal agents. This work also serves as a demonstration project that could easily be adapted to studying other members of the human microbiome in undergraduate settings. We offer the perspective that both introductory and more advanced course-based and apprentice-style antibiotic discovery projects focused on the microbiome have the potential to enrich undergraduate curricula and we describe transferrable techniques and strategies to facilitate project design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen L Aho
- Department of Biology, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, United States
| | - Jenie M Ogle
- Department of Biology, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, United States
| | - Anna M Finck
- Department of Biology, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, United States
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Chee WJY, Chew SY, Than LTL. Vaginal microbiota and the potential of Lactobacillus derivatives in maintaining vaginal health. Microb Cell Fact 2020; 19:203. [PMID: 33160356 PMCID: PMC7648308 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01464-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human vagina is colonised by a diverse array of microorganisms that make up the normal microbiota and mycobiota. Lactobacillus is the most frequently isolated microorganism from the healthy human vagina, this includes Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus iners, and Lactobacillus jensenii. These vaginal lactobacilli have been touted to prevent invasion of pathogens by keeping their population in check. However, the disruption of vaginal ecosystem contributes to the overgrowth of pathogens which causes complicated vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Predisposing factors such as menses, pregnancy, sexual practice, uncontrolled usage of antibiotics, and vaginal douching can alter the microbial community. Therefore, the composition of vaginal microbiota serves an important role in determining vagina health. Owing to their Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) status, lactobacilli have been widely utilised as one of the alternatives besides conventional antimicrobial treatment against vaginal pathogens for the prevention of chronic vaginitis and the restoration of vaginal ecosystem. In addition, the effectiveness of Lactobacillus as prophylaxis has also been well-founded in long-term administration. This review aimed to highlight the beneficial effects of lactobacilli derivatives (i.e. surface-active molecules) with anti-biofilm, antioxidant, pathogen-inhibition, and immunomodulation activities in developing remedies for vaginal infections. We also discuss the current challenges in the implementation of the use of lactobacilli derivatives in promotion of human health. In the current review, we intend to provide insights for the development of lactobacilli derivatives as a complementary or alternative medicine to conventional probiotic therapy in vaginal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wallace Jeng Yang Chee
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Shu Yih Chew
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
| | - Leslie Thian Lung Than
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor Malaysia
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Sanches JM, Giraldo PC, Bardin MG, Amaral R, Discacciati MG, Rossato L. Laboratorial Aspects of Cytolytic Vaginosis and Vulvovaginal Candidiasis as a Key for Accurate Diagnosis: A Pilot Study. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GINECOLOGIA E OBSTETRÍCIA 2020; 42:634-641. [PMID: 33129219 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1715139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify clinical, microscopic, and biochemical characteristics that differentiate cytolytic vaginosis (CV) from vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). METHODS The present cross-sectional study analyzed the vaginal contents of 24 non-pregnant women aged 18 to 42 years who were attended at the Genital Infections Clinic at Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (CAISM-UNICAMP). They were diagnosed either with (CV = 8, VVC = 8) or without vulvovaginitis or vaginal dysbiosis (controls). The socio-demographic, clinical, and gynecological data were obtained from a detailed patient interview. Samples of the vaginal contents were collected for analysis of vaginal pH, gram stain, and specific fungal culture. The Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the differences between the groups. Odds ratios were used to compare the categorical variables. The significance level was considered at p < 0.05. RESULTS Both women with CV and VVC had a lumpy vaginal discharge (p = 0,002) and vaginal hyperemia (p = 0.001), compared with controls. The inflammatory process was more intense in the VVC group (p = 0.001). In the CV group, there was statistical significance for the lactobacillus amount (p = 0.006), vaginal epithelium lysis (p = 0.001), and vaginal pH (p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION Cytolytic vaginosis and VVC diagnoses rarely differ on clinical characteristics but have different laboratorial findings. The present study highlights the importance of conducting an accurate investigation through laboratory tests rather than clinical criteria to avoid misdiagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Marcos Sanches
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.,Department of Morphology and Genetics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo César Giraldo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcela Grigol Bardin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rose Amaral
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Luana Rossato
- Department of Medicine, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Patrignani F, Parolin C, D'Alessandro M, Siroli L, Vitali B, Lanciotti R. Evaluation of the fate of Lactobacillus crispatus BC4, carried in Squacquerone cheese, throughout the simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem (SHIME). Food Res Int 2020; 137:109580. [PMID: 33233191 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Lactobacillus crispatus strain BC4, isolated from the human healthy vaginal environment and characterised by a strong antimicrobial activity against urogenital pathogens and foodborne microorganisms, was employed as a probiotic culture in the cheesemaking of the soft cheese Squacquerone. Such cheese is intended as a "gender food", that could be used as a hedonistic dietary strategy to reduce the incidence of woman vaginal dysbiosis and infections, given the evidence that a probiotic strain able to survive to the entire digestive process once ingested, can pass from intestine to vagina. This work was aimed to evaluate the resistance of L. crispatus BC4, carried in Squacquerone cheese, to different challenges of the human gastrointestinal tract, including the colon stage. The digestion process was tested using a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®). The viability and metabolic activity of L. crispatus BC4 during the colon simulation were monitored by qPCR and gas chromatography, respectively, also in the presence of a complex microbiota. The results showed that L. crispatus BC4 survival was not affected by the gastric condition, while it was significantly affected by bile salts and pancreatic juice in small intestine conditions, where it decreased of approx. 0.6 log (colony-forming units) CFU/g. Differently, during colon simulation L. crispatus BC4 was able to grow in sterile colon conditions and to maintain viability in the presence of a complex microbiota. Moreover, during colon simulation, L. crispatus BC4 was metabolically active as demonstrated by the higher production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and lactate. In the presence of a complex gut microbiota, a decrease of lactate was observed, due to its conversion into propionate (anti-cholesterol activity) and butyrate (anti-inflammatory activity) by cross-feeding. However, no differences in propionate and butyrate production could be observed between control cheese and cheese containing L. crispatus BC4. Despite this may appear as a negative outcome, it must be taken into account that, in this setup, only a single dose of the cheese was tested and the outcome of the colonization and impact of the gut microbiota might be different when daily repeated doses are tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Patrignani
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, p.zza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy; Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-food Research, University of Bologna, via Quinto Bucci 336, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy.
| | - Carola Parolin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, via San Donato 19/2, 40127 Bologna (BO), Italy
| | - Margherita D'Alessandro
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-food Research, University of Bologna, via Quinto Bucci 336, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Lorenzo Siroli
- Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-food Research, University of Bologna, via Quinto Bucci 336, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Beatrice Vitali
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, via San Donato 19/2, 40127 Bologna (BO), Italy
| | - Rosalba Lanciotti
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, p.zza Goidanich 60, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy; Interdepartmental Center for Industrial Agri-food Research, University of Bologna, via Quinto Bucci 336, 47521 Cesena (FC), Italy
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Repurposing Fenamic Acid Drugs To Combat Multidrug-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.02206-19. [PMID: 32393483 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02206-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The rise of extensively drug-resistant and multidrug-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae has occurred in parallel with the increasing demand for new drugs. However, the current methods of drug discovery are burdened with rigorous assessments and require more time than can be spared until gonococcal infections become difficult to control. To address this urgency, we utilized a drug-repurposing strategy and identified three clinically approved anthranilic acid drugs (tolfenamic acid, flufenamic acid, and meclofenamic acid) with potent antigonococcal activity, inhibiting 50% of the strains (MIC50) from 4 to 16 μg/ml. Furthermore, tolfenamic acid showed indifferent activity with antibiotics of choice for gonococcal infections, azithromycin and ceftriaxone, in checkerboard assays with a fractional inhibitory concentration index ranging from 0.75 to 1.5. Fenamic acids reduced a high inoculum of N. gonorrhoeae below the limit of detection within 12 h and exhibited a low frequency of resistance. Interestingly, the fenamic acids did not inhibit the growth of commensal Lactobacillus spp. that comprise the healthy female genital microbiota. Fenamic acids were also superior to ceftriaxone in reducing the burden of intracellular N. gonorrhoeae within infected endocervical cells by 99%. Furthermore, all three fenamic acids significantly reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines by infected endocervical cells. Finally, fenamic acids and other structurally related anthranilic acid derivatives were evaluated to ascertain a more in-depth structure-activity relationship (SAR) that revealed N-phenylanthranilic acid as a novel antigonorrheal scaffold. This SAR study will pave the road to repositioning more potent fenamic acids analogues against N. gonorrhoeae.
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De Gregorio PR, Parolin C, Abruzzo A, Luppi B, Protti M, Mercolini L, Silva JA, Giordani B, Marangoni A, Nader-Macías MEF, Vitali B. Biosurfactant from vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus BC1 as a promising agent to interfere with Candida adhesion. Microb Cell Fact 2020; 19:133. [PMID: 32552788 PMCID: PMC7302142 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01390-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lactobacillus spp. dominating the vaginal microbiota of healthy women contribute to the prevention of urogenital and sexually transmitted infections. Their protective role in the vagina can be mediated by Lactobacillus cells themselves, metabolites or bacterial components, able to interfere with pathogen adhesion and infectivity. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common genital infection, caused by the overgrowth of opportunistic Candida spp. including C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. tropicalis. Azole antifungal drugs are not always efficient in resolving VVC and preventing recurrent infections, thus alternative anti-Candida agents based on vaginal probiotics have gained more importance. The present work aims to chemically characterize the biosurfactant (BS) isolated from a vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus strain, L. crispatus BC1, and to investigate its safety and antiadhesive/antimicrobial activity against Candida spp., employing in vitro and in vivo assays. RESULTS BS isolated from vaginal L. crispatus BC1 was characterised as non-homogeneous lipopeptide molecules with a critical micellar concentration value of 2 mg/mL, and good emulsification and mucoadhesive properties. At 1.25 mg/mL, the BS was not cytotoxic and reduced Candida strains' ability to adhere to human cervical epithelial cells, mainly by exclusion mechanism. Moreover, intravaginal (i.va.) inoculation of BS in a murine experimental model was safe and did not perturb vaginal cytology, histology and cultivable vaginal microbiota. In the case of i.va. challenge of mice with C. albicans, BS was able to reduce leukocyte influx. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that BS from vaginal L. crispatus BC1 is able to interfere with Candida adhesion in vitro and in vivo, and suggest its potential as a preventive agent to reduce mucosal damage occasioned by Candida during VVC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Romina De Gregorio
- Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA)-CONICET, Chacabuco, 145, 4000, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.
| | - Carola Parolin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Angela Abruzzo
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Barbara Luppi
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Protti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Mercolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jessica Alejandra Silva
- Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos (CERELA)-CONICET, Chacabuco, 145, 4000, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Barbara Giordani
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Marangoni
- Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Beatrice Vitali
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnologies, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, 40127, Bologna, Italy
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Ren C, Faas MM, de Vos P. Disease managing capacities and mechanisms of host effects of lactic acid bacteria. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2020; 61:1365-1393. [PMID: 32366110 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1758625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Consumption of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has been suggested to confer health-promoting effects on the host. However, effects of LABs have been reported to be species- and strain-specific and the mechanisms involved are subjects of discussion. Here, the possible mechanisms by which LABs induce antipathogenic, gut barrier enhancing and immune modulating effects in consumers are reviewed. Specific strains for which it has been proven that health is improved by these mechanisms are discussed. However, most strains probably act via several or combinations of mechanisms depending on which effector molecules they express. Current insight is that these effector molecules are either present on the cell wall of LAB or are excreted. These molecules are reviewed as well as the ligand binding receptors in the host. Also postbiotics are discussed. Finally, we provide an overview of the efficacy of LABs in combating infections caused by Helicobacter pylori, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and influenza virus, in controlling gut inflammatory diseases, in managing allergic disorders, and in alleviating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Ren
- Immunoendocrinology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marijke M Faas
- Immunoendocrinology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Paul de Vos
- Immunoendocrinology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Lactobacillus crispatus and its enolase and glutamine synthetase influence interactions between Neisseria gonorrhoeae and human epithelial cells. J Microbiol 2020; 58:405-414. [PMID: 32279277 DOI: 10.1007/s12275-020-9505-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, an obligatory human pathogen causes the sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea, which remains a global health problem. N. gonorrhoeae primarily infects the mucosa of the genitourinary tract, which in women, is colonized by natural microbiota, dominated by Lactobacillus spp., that protect human cells against pathogens. In this study, we demonstrated that precolonization of human epithelial cells with Lactobacillus crispatus, one of the most prevalent bacteria in the female urogenital tract, or preincubation with the L. crispatus enolase or glutamine synthetase impairs the adhesion and invasiveness of N. gonorrhoeae toward epithelial cells, two crucial steps in gonococcal pathogenesis. Furthermore, decreased expression of genes encoding the proinflam-matory cytokines, TNFα and CCL20, which are secreted as a consequence of N. gonorrhoeae infection, was observed in N. gonorrhoeae-infected epithelial cells that had been preco-lonized with L. crispatus or preincubated with enolase and glutamine synthetase. Thus, our results indicate that the protection of human cells against N. gonorrhoeae infection is a complex process and that L. crispatus and its proteins enolase and glutamine synthetase can have a potential role in protecting epithelial cells against gonococcal infection. Therefore, these results are important since disturbances of the micro-biota or of its proteins can result in dysbiosis, which is associated with increased susceptibility of epithelium to pathogens.
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Xu J, Peng JJ, Yang W, Fu K, Zhang Y. Vaginal microbiomes and ovarian cancer: a review. Am J Cancer Res 2020; 10:743-756. [PMID: 32266088 PMCID: PMC7136922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The human microbiome, often termed as "the forgotten organ", is an aggregation of microorganisms and their genomes that forms a mutualistic complex with the host. Recent research has shown the symbiotic merits of a microbiome ecosystem and its crucial role in the hosts' physiological functions. Disruption of this symbiotic relationship is prone to cause a broad spectrum of ailments, including cancer. The compositional and environmental factors that tip the scales from beneficial co-existence to the development of malignancy is actively investigated. Herein we review the latest research in knowledge regarding the association between the vaginal microbiomes and oncogenesis, with a particular focus on ovarian carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyun Xu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityNo. 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Gynecological Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering Research CenterHunan Province, China
| | - Jing-Jie Peng
- Department of Opthalmology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityNo. 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, China
| | - Wenqing Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityNo. 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Gynecological Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering Research CenterHunan Province, China
| | - Kun Fu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityNo. 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Gynecological Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering Research CenterHunan Province, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityNo. 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, China
- Hunan Provincial Gynecological Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Engineering Research CenterHunan Province, China
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Bettoni S, Shaughnessy J, Maziarz K, Ermert D, Gulati S, Zheng B, Mörgelin M, Jacobsson S, Riesbeck K, Unemo M, Ram S, Blom AM. C4BP-IgM protein as a therapeutic approach to treat Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections. JCI Insight 2019; 4:131886. [PMID: 31661468 PMCID: PMC6962029 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.131886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection with 87 million new cases per year globally. Increasing antibiotic resistance has severely limited treatment options. A mechanism that Neisseria gonorrhoeae uses to evade complement attack is binding of the complement inhibitor C4b-binding protein (C4BP). We screened 107 porin B1a (PorB1a) and 83 PorB1b clinical isolates randomly selected from a Swedish strain collection over the last 10 years and noted that 96/107 (89.7%) PorB1a and 16/83 (19.3%) PorB1b bound C4BP; C4BP binding substantially correlated with the ability to evade complement-dependent killing (r = 0.78). We designed 2 chimeric proteins that fused C4BP domains to the backbone of IgG or IgM (C4BP-IgG; C4BP-IgM) with the aim of enhancing complement activation and killing of gonococci. Both proteins bound gonococci (KD C4BP-IgM = 2.4 nM; KD C4BP-IgG 980.7 nM), but only hexameric C4BP-IgM efficiently outcompeted heptameric C4BP from the bacterial surface, resulting in enhanced complement deposition and bacterial killing. Furthermore, C4BP-IgM substantially attenuated the duration and burden of colonization of 2 C4BP-binding gonococcal isolates but not a non-C4BP-binding strain in a mouse vaginal colonization model using human factor H/C4BP-transgenic mice. Our preclinical data present C4BP-IgM as an adjunct to conventional antimicrobials for the treatment of gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Bettoni
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Karolina Maziarz
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - David Ermert
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Sunita Gulati
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bo Zheng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Susanne Jacobsson
- World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Kristian Riesbeck
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Magnus Unemo
- World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna M. Blom
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
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Repurposing salicylamide for combating multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2019:AAC.01225-19. [PMID: 31570391 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01225-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists Neisseria gonorrhoeae as one of the most urgent antibiotic-resistant threats in the United States. This is due to the emergence of clinical isolates that have developed resistance to nearly every antibiotic used to treat gonorrhea and highlights the critical need to find new therapeutics. The present study discovered salicylamide, an analgesic and antipyretic drug, has antibacterial activity against 40 different antibiotic-resistant strains of N. gonorrhoeae (MIC 8-32 μg/ml) with low frequency of resistance <2.4x10-9 Interestingly, salicylamide did not inhibit growth of bacterial species in the vaginal microflora involved in defense against gonococcal infections, such as Lactobacillus gasseri, L. jensenii, L. johnsonii, and L. crispatus A time-kill assay revealed that salicylamide is a rapidly bactericidal drug as it eradicated a high inoculum of N. gonorrhoeae within 10 hours. Salicylamide was superior to the drug of choice, ceftriaxone, in reducing the burden of intracellular N. gonorrhoeae by 97% in infected endocervical cells. Furthermore, salicylamide outperformed ceftriaxone in reducing expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 from endocervical cells infected with N. gonorrhoeae A checkerboard assay revealed that salicylamide exhibited a synergistic interaction with tetracycline and an additive relationship with azithromycin and ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone. A more in-depth investigation of the structure-activity-relationship of derivatives of salicylamide revealed the amide and hydroxyl groups are important for anti-gonorrheal activity. In conclusion, this study identified salicylamide as a promising candidate for further investigation as a novel treatment option for multidrug-resistant gonorrhea.
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Marziali G, Foschi C, Parolin C, Vitali B, Marangoni A. In-vitro effect of vaginal lactobacilli against group B Streptococcus. Microb Pathog 2019; 136:103692. [PMID: 31445119 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus agalactiae(GBS) is a leading cause of infection during pregnancy, preterm birth and neonatal infection, with a significant clinical and socio-economic impact. To prevent maternal GBS vaginal colonization, new antibiotic-free approaches, based on lactobacilli probiotics, are advisable. The aim of this study was to assess the anti-GBS activity of 14 vaginal Lactobacillus strains, belonging to different species (L. crispatus, L. gasseri, L. vaginalis), isolated from healthy pre-menopausal women. In particular, we performed 'inhibition' experiments, evaluating the ability of both Lactobacillus cells and culture supernatants in reducing Streptococcus viability, after 60 min contact time. First, we demonstrated that the acidic milieu, produced by vaginal lactobacilli metabolism, is crucial in counteracting GBS growth in a pH-dependent manner. Experiments with organic/inorganic acid solutions confirmed the strict correlation between pH levels and the anti-GBS activity. GBS was more sensitive to lactic acid than to hydrochloric acid, indicating that the presence of H+ ions is necessary but not sufficient for the inhibitory activity. Moreover, experiments with Lactobacillus pH-adjusted supernatants led to exclude a direct role in the anti-GBS activity by other bioactive molecules. Second, we found that only a few Lactobacillus strains were able to reduce Streptococcus viability by means of cell pellets. The anti-GBS effect displayed by Lactobacillus cells was related to the their ability to interact and aggregate with Streptococcus cells. We found that the anti-GBS activity was retained after methanol/proteinase K treatment, but lost after lysozyme exposure of Lactobacillus cells. Therefore, we supposed that non-proteinaceous components of Lactobacillus cell wall could be responsible for the anti-GBS activity. In conclusion, we identified specific Lactobacillus strains able to interfere with GBS viability by multiple strategies and we elucidated some of the mechanisms of action. These strains could serve as probiotic formulations for the prevention of GBS vaginal colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Marziali
- Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudio Foschi
- Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Carola Parolin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, Bologna, Italy
| | - Beatrice Vitali
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato 19/2, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonella Marangoni
- Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 9, Bologna, Italy
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van der Veer C, Hertzberger RY, Bruisten SM, Tytgat HLP, Swanenburg J, de Kat Angelino-Bart A, Schuren F, Molenaar D, Reid G, de Vries H, Kort R. Comparative genomics of human Lactobacillus crispatus isolates reveals genes for glycosylation and glycogen degradation: implications for in vivo dominance of the vaginal microbiota. MICROBIOME 2019; 7:49. [PMID: 30925932 PMCID: PMC6441167 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-019-0667-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A vaginal microbiota dominated by lactobacilli (particularly Lactobacillus crispatus) is associated with vaginal health, whereas a vaginal microbiota not dominated by lactobacilli is considered dysbiotic. Here we investigated whether L. crispatus strains isolated from the vaginal tract of women with Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota (LVM) are pheno- or genotypically distinct from L. crispatus strains isolated from vaginal samples with dysbiotic vaginal microbiota (DVM). RESULTS We studied 33 L. crispatus strains (n = 16 from LVM; n = 17 from DVM). Comparison of these two groups of strains showed that, although strain differences existed, both groups degraded various carbohydrates, produced similar amounts of organic acids, inhibited Neisseria gonorrhoeae growth, and did not produce biofilms. Comparative genomics analyses of 28 strains (n = 12 LVM; n = 16 DVM) revealed a novel, 3-fragmented glycosyltransferase gene that was more prevalent among strains isolated from DVM. Most L. crispatus strains showed growth on glycogen-supplemented growth media. Strains that showed less-efficient (n = 6) or no (n = 1) growth on glycogen all carried N-terminal deletions (respectively, 29 and 37 amino acid deletions) in a putative pullulanase type I protein. DISCUSSION L. crispatus strains isolated from LVM were not phenotypically distinct from L. crispatus strains isolated from DVM; however, the finding that the latter were more likely to carry a 3-fragmented glycosyltransferase gene may indicate a role for cell surface glycoconjugates, which may shape vaginal microbiota-host interactions. Furthermore, the observation that variation in the pullulanase type I gene is associated with growth on glycogen discourages previous claims that L. crispatus cannot directly utilize glycogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte van der Veer
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service, GGD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rosanne Y Hertzberger
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, O|2 Lab Building, VU University, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sylvia M Bruisten
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service, GGD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jorne Swanenburg
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, O|2 Lab Building, VU University, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Microbiology and Systems Biology, Zeist, The Netherlands
| | - Alie de Kat Angelino-Bart
- Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Microbiology and Systems Biology, Zeist, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Schuren
- Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Microbiology and Systems Biology, Zeist, The Netherlands
| | - Douwe Molenaar
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, O|2 Lab Building, VU University, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gregor Reid
- Canadian R&D Centre for Human Microbiome and Probiotics, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, and Surgery, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Henry de Vries
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service, GGD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Remco Kort
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, O|2 Lab Building, VU University, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), Microbiology and Systems Biology, Zeist, The Netherlands.
- ARTIS-Micropia, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Rostok M, Hütt P, Rööp T, Smidt I, Štšepetova J, Salumets A, Mändar R. Potential vaginal probiotics: safety, tolerability and preliminary effectiveness. Benef Microbes 2019; 10:385-393. [PMID: 30882242 DOI: 10.3920/bm2016.0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Vaginal discharge is one of the common reasons for gynaecologist consultation, as bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis are the main causes of discharge. These patients frequently experience numerous problems due to recurrent infections, side effects and drug resistance therefore alternative drugs are needed. Our primary aim was to evaluate safety and tolerability of the potentially probiotic Lactobacillus crispatus strains in volunteer women considering themselves healthy. We also monitored the effects of these strains on vaginal health parameters and lactobacilli counts in vagina and intestine. Forty women were recruited into trial. Absence of chronic diseases was confirmed by questionnaire and blood analysis at screening visit. In randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study the eligible participants were randomly allocated to one of four groups and had to consume one of the two study products (Pro I or Pro II) - a capsule containing 3 strains, 109 cfu per strain, or placebo for 1 week. Treatment period was followed by 2-week washout period and continued with second treatment and washout period. Individuals receiving firstly probiotic, received later placebo and vice versa. Blood, vaginal and faecal samples were collected, and self-reported questionnaires were applied. Thirty subjects completed the trial. The probiotic capsules were well-tolerated. The Pro II intake resulted in a significant decrease in Nugent score (from median 3.0 to 2.0, mean 3.9 to 2.6, P=0.002) and reduction in Gardnerella vaginalis counts (log10 3.57 to 2.38; P=0.027). Reduction of total vaginal bacterial counts was revealed in Pro I group (log10 7.99 to 7.72; P=0.048). In conclusion, the selected vaginal L. crispatus strains are well tolerable and Pro II mixture is prospectively effective in reducing Nugent score and vaginal counts of G. vaginalis. Therefore, these strains seem to be promising candidates for development of novel evidence-based well-focused probiotics to target female urogenital tract disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Rostok
- 1 Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61B, Tartu 50410, Estonia.,2 Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - P Hütt
- 1 Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61B, Tartu 50410, Estonia.,2 Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - T Rööp
- 1 Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61B, Tartu 50410, Estonia.,2 Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - I Smidt
- 1 Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61B, Tartu 50410, Estonia.,2 Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - J Štšepetova
- 1 Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61B, Tartu 50410, Estonia.,2 Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia
| | - A Salumets
- 1 Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61B, Tartu 50410, Estonia
| | - R Mändar
- 1 Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61B, Tartu 50410, Estonia.,2 Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, Tartu 50411, Estonia
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49
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Patrignani F, Siroli L, Parolin C, Serrazanetti DI, Vitali B, Lanciotti R. Use of Lactobacillus crispatus to produce a probiotic cheese as potential gender food for preventing gynaecological infections. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0208906. [PMID: 30625157 PMCID: PMC6326422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This research is aimed to evaluate the suitability of Squacquerone cheese to support the viability of Lactobacillus crispatus BC4, a vaginal strain endowed with a strong antimicrobial activity against urogenital pathogens and foodborne microorganisms, in order to recommend a gender food for woman wellbeing. The viability of L. crispatus BC4, used as adjunct culture, was evaluated during the refrigerated storage of Squacquerone cheese, as well as when the cheese was subjected to simulated stomach-duodenum passage tested by the patented Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME). Moreover, the effects of L. crispatus BC4 addition were evaluated on product hydrolytic patterns, in terms of proteolysis, lipolysis and volatile molecule profiles. The data showed that L. crispatus BC4 maintained high viability, also in presence of physiological stress conditions, until the end of the refrigerated storage. Moreover, the inclusion of L. crispatus BC4 gave rise to cheese product with higher score of overall acceptability when compared to control cheese. In addition, the survival of L. crispatus BC4, carried in test cheese, in gastro intestinal conditions was confirmed by SHIME. The results showed that the vaginal Lactobacillus strain was more affected by the low pH of the stomach, simulated by the SHIME reactor, rather than to bile salts and pancreatic juices. Although only in vivo trials will be able to confirm the functionality of the cheese in the vaginal environment, these data represent a first step towards the employment of the Squacquerone cheese as probiotic food able to promote the woman’s health by preventing gynaecological infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Patrignani
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Lorenzo Siroli
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Carola Parolin
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Diana I. Serrazanetti
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Beatrice Vitali
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rosalba Lanciotti
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
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50
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Lenz JD, Shirk KA, Jolicoeur A, Dillard JP. Selective Inhibition of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by a Dithiazoline in Mixed Infections with Lactobacillus gasseri. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2018; 62:e00826-18. [PMID: 30275084 PMCID: PMC6256793 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00826-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Gram-negative human pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae has progressively developed resistance to antibiotic monotherapies, and recent failures of dual-drug therapy have heightened concerns that strains resistant to all available antibiotics will begin circulating globally. Targeting bacterial cell wall assembly has historically been effective at treating infections with N. gonorrhoeae, but as the effectiveness of β-lactams (including cephalosporins) is challenged by increasing resistance, research has expanded into compounds that target the numerous other enzymes with roles in peptidoglycan metabolism. One example is the dithiazoline compound JNJ-853346 (DTZ), which inhibits the activity of an Escherichia coli serine protease l,d-carboxypeptidase (LdcA). Recently, the characterization of an LdcA homolog in N. gonorrhoeae revealed localization and activity differences from the characterized E. coli LdcA, prompting us to explore the effectiveness of DTZ against N. gonorrhoeae We found that DTZ is effective at inhibiting N. gonorrhoeae in all growth phases, unlike the specific stationary-phase inhibition seen in E. coli Surprisingly, DTZ does not inhibit gonococcal LdcA enzyme activity, and DTZ sensitivity is not significantly decreased in ldcA mutants. While effective against numerous N. gonorrhoeae strains, including recent multidrug-resistant isolates, DTZ is much less effective at inhibiting growth of the commensal species Lactobacillus gasseri DTZ treatment during coinfections of epithelial cells resulted in significant lowering of gonococcal burden and interleukin-8 secretion without significantly impacting recovery of viable L. gasseri This selective toxicity presents a possible pathway for the use of DTZ as an effective antigonococcal agent at concentrations that do not impact vaginal commensals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Lenz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kristina A Shirk
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Adrienne Jolicoeur
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Joseph P Dillard
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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