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Abstract

Oral probiotics has been found useful in treatment or prevention of urogenital infections. The ability of probiotic organisms to serve as biotherapeutic agents can be attributed to various properties they possess. A total of thirty-two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from the vagina swab samples of healthy women in selected areas in southwestern Nigeria were characterised as Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus jensenii, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus lactis. L. fermentum exhibited a high antagonistic effect with zones of inhibition of 24mm and 25mm against Klebsiella sp. and E. coli respectively. L. jensenii also had a high activity with inhibition zone of 24mm against Klebsiella sp. Percentage antibiotic resistance of the isolates reflects that 86% of the isolates exhibited resistance to both amoxacillin and gentamicin; 73% to ampiclox and 64% to rocephine while low percentage resistance from 0% to 5% was observed for the fluoroquinolones and augumentin. The knowledge of the antimicrobial resistance of exogenously applied probiotic is of interest to predict their behaviour in patients subject to any type of chemotherapy, as well as to consider the concomitant use of the probiotic and antibiotics for the restoration of the normal urogenital flora. Production of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide was detected in all the LAB isolates and they were observed for up to 96hours. L. fermentum produces more hydrogen peroxide when compared with the other isolates, it had the highest zones of inhibition against genital pathogens, hence, may be considered as an isolate with outstanding probiotic potential. INTRODUCTION: Genital infections in women may result in vaginal discharge, mucosal ulceration producing local discomfort and pain on intercourse.