Lactobacilli at the Front Line of Defense Against Vaginally Acquired Infections

Abstract

Probiotics are microorganisms that provide a health benefit to the host and are promoted as alternatives for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases and other conditions. One of the most rapidly developing areas of probiotic research is in the management of vaginally acquired infections. Several Lactobacillus species produce compounds that kill or inhibit the growth of vaginally acquired pathogens. Other lactobacilli reduce the adherence of pathogens to urogenital epithelial cells in culture. This article discusses the mechanisms by which vaginal lactobacilli prevent pathogen colonization of the urogenital tract, and potential mechanisms that warrant investigation. Animal models and clinical studies, while limited, are discussed with the idea that these are the next critical steps to advance the study of probiotics for the treatment and prevention of vaginally acquired infections.

Keywords:

• Lactobacillus
• mechanism of inhibition
• probiotics
• vaginally acquired infection

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors‘ research is supported by the Michigan State University Center for Microbial Pathogenesis. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The authors‘ research is supported by the Michigan State University Center for Microbial Pathogenesis. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.