Publicação
Isolation and characterization of vaginal microorganisms and its association with Bacterial Vaginosis
| Resumo: | Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common gynaecological conditions affecting women in reproductive age worldwide, being linked to serious public health consequences. Due to their complexity and to the diversity of microorganisms involved in this condition, the exact aetiology is inconclusive, but recent reports referring to the presence of anaerobic biofilms led to the theory that the microorganisms which form the biofilm, like Gardnerella vaginalis, may be relevant for the aetiology of BV. Biofilms are complex structures that protect the microorganisms involved increasing their resistance to antibiotics and natural defences of the body. As such, the aim of this work was to isolate and characterise the microbial population present in the vagina of Portuguese women. In order to achieve this, 54 samples of vaginal exudate were collected in clinical settings from Portuguese women that were either healthy or had been diagnosed with BV. After an initial characterization, 15 unique strains were isolated and identified. The next step was the phenotypic characterization of the isolated strains, which included the determination of their intrinsic capacity to form biofilm and tolerance to some antibiotics typically prescribed by physicians around the world, by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The intrinsic capacity to grow as biofilm of each one of the isolate was assessed under anaerobic conditions for 48 hours and using different media. It was observed that all isolates had the capacity to form biofilm, but this was depending on the growth media used. The strains that showed a higher capacity for biofilm formation were G. vaginalis, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus spp., Bifidobacterium breve and Propionibacterium acnes. Furthermore, results of antimicrobial susceptibility assays showed that for the most part of microorganisms had an MIC similar to those previously reported in the literature. This work allowed the characterization of the vaginal microbial flora in Portuguese woman and is the first study of this kind in Portugal. These results should be taken into account when researching the epidemiology and pathogenesis of BV. |
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| Autores principais: | Alves, Patrícia Maria |
| Assunto: | Engenharia e Tecnologia::Biotecnologia Industrial |
| Ano: | 2012 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade do Minho |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho |
| Resumo: | Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common gynaecological conditions affecting women in reproductive age worldwide, being linked to serious public health consequences. Due to their complexity and to the diversity of microorganisms involved in this condition, the exact aetiology is inconclusive, but recent reports referring to the presence of anaerobic biofilms led to the theory that the microorganisms which form the biofilm, like Gardnerella vaginalis, may be relevant for the aetiology of BV. Biofilms are complex structures that protect the microorganisms involved increasing their resistance to antibiotics and natural defences of the body. As such, the aim of this work was to isolate and characterise the microbial population present in the vagina of Portuguese women. In order to achieve this, 54 samples of vaginal exudate were collected in clinical settings from Portuguese women that were either healthy or had been diagnosed with BV. After an initial characterization, 15 unique strains were isolated and identified. The next step was the phenotypic characterization of the isolated strains, which included the determination of their intrinsic capacity to form biofilm and tolerance to some antibiotics typically prescribed by physicians around the world, by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The intrinsic capacity to grow as biofilm of each one of the isolate was assessed under anaerobic conditions for 48 hours and using different media. It was observed that all isolates had the capacity to form biofilm, but this was depending on the growth media used. The strains that showed a higher capacity for biofilm formation were G. vaginalis, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus spp., Bifidobacterium breve and Propionibacterium acnes. Furthermore, results of antimicrobial susceptibility assays showed that for the most part of microorganisms had an MIC similar to those previously reported in the literature. This work allowed the characterization of the vaginal microbial flora in Portuguese woman and is the first study of this kind in Portugal. These results should be taken into account when researching the epidemiology and pathogenesis of BV. |
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