Descriptive Light and Electron Microscopy of Normal and Clue-Cell-Positive Discharge

Meijden, W I van der; Koerten, H. K.; Mourik, W. van; Bruijn, W. C. de

doi:10.1159/000293745

Cited by 13 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…To our knowledge this is the first report of an in vivo fungal mucosal biofilm in an immunocompetent animal model of vaginitis. Prior to this study, the only in vivo vaginal biofilm characterized was bacterial, consisting of Gardnerella vaginalis (Scott et al , 1989; Swidsinski et al , 2008; van der Meijden et al , 1988). In this study, we demonstrate by microscopic analysis that C. albicans biofilms are present on the vaginal mucosa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Candida albicans forms biofilms on the vaginal mucosa

et al. 2010

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Current understanding of resistance and susceptibility to vulvovaginal candidiasis challenges existing paradigms of host defence against fungal infection. While abiotic biofilm formation has a clearly established role during systemic Candida infections, it is not known whether C. albicans forms biofilms on the vaginal mucosa and the possible role of biofilms in disease. In vivo and ex vivo murine vaginitis models were employed to examine biofilm formation by scanning electron and confocal microscopy. C. albicans strains included 3153A (lab strain), DAY185 (parental control strain), and mutants defective in morphogenesis and/or biofilm formation in vitro (efg1/efg1 and bcr1/bcr1). Both 3153A and DAY815 formed biofilms on the vaginal mucosa in vivo and ex vivo as indicated by high fungal burden and microscopic analysis demonstrating typical biofilm architecture and presence of extracellular matrix (ECM) co-localized with the presence of fungi. In contrast, efg1/efg1 and bcr1/bcr1 mutant strains exhibited weak or no biofilm formation/ECM production in both models compared to wild-type strains and complemented mutants despite comparable colonization levels. These data show for the first time that C. albicans forms biofilms in vivo on vaginal epithelium, and that in vivo biotic biofilm formation requires regulators of biofilm formation (BCR1) and morphogenesis (EFG1).

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Candida albicans forms biofilms on the vaginal mucosa

et al. 2010

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“…This bacterium is immotile, with the cells frequently occurring in clumps in vaginal smears and when grown in liquid media (Greenwood and Pickett 1980; Taylor‐Robinson 1984). Strands of exopolysaccharide produced by cells can be visualized using electron microscopy and detected using ruthenium red staining (Greenwood and Pickett 1980; Greenwood 1983; van der Meijden et al. 1988).…”

Section: Gardnerella Vaginalismentioning

confidence: 99%

The aetiology of bacterial vaginosis

Turovskiy

Noll

Chikindas

2011

Journal of Applied Microbiology

208

160

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Summary Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection among women of childbearing age. This condition is notorious for causing severe complications related to the reproductive health of women. Five decades of intense research established many risk factors for acquisition of BV; however, because of the complexity of BV and lack of a reliable animal model for this condition, its exact aetiology remains elusive. In this manuscript, we use a historical perspective to critically review the development of major theories on the aetiology of BV, ultimately implicating BV‐related pathogens, healthy vaginal microbiota, bacteriophages and the immune response of the host. None of these theories on their own can reliably explain the epidemiological data. Instead, BV is caused by a complex interaction of multiple factors, which include the numerous components of the vaginal microbial ecosystem and their human host. Many of these factors are yet to be characterized because a clear understanding of their relative contribution to the aetiology of BV is pivotal to the formulation of an effective treatment for and prophylaxis of this condition.

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“…The biofilm formed by Gardnerella vaginalis in BV was first identified by electron microscopy as a dense tissue strongly adherent to the vaginal epithelium, and made up of bacterial cells packed inside a network of polysaccharide fibrils [5, 6]. Later, Swidsinki et al ., investigating vaginal biopsies by bacterial rDNA fluorescent in situ hybridization, suggested that the bacterial biofilm played a primary role in the development of BV [7].…”

Section: Bacterial Vaginosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacterial Vaginosis, Atopobium vaginae and Nifuratel

Polatti

2012

CCP

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As bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a potential cause of obstetric complications and gynecological disorders, there is substantial interest in establishing the most effective treatment. Standard treatment - metronidazole or clindamycin, by either vaginal or oral route – is followed by relapses in about 30% of cases, within a month from treatment completion. This inability to prevent recurrences reflects our lack of knowledge on the origins of BV. Atopobium vaginae has been recently reported to be associated with BV in around 80% of the cases and might be involved in the therapeutic failures. This review looks at the potential benefits of nifuratel against A. vaginae compared to the standard treatments with metronidazole and clindamycin. In vitro, nifuratel is able to inhibit the growth of A. vaginae, with a MIC range of 0.125-1 µg/mL; it is active against G. vaginalis and does not affect lactobacilli. Metronidazole is active against A. vaginae only at very high concentrations (8-256 µg/mL); it is partially active against G. vaginalis and also has no effect on lactobacilli. Clindamycin acts against A. vaginae with an MIC lower than 0.125 µg/mL and is active on G. vaginalis but it also affects lactobacilli, altering the vaginal environment. These observations suggest that nifuratel is probably the most valid therapeutic agent for BV treatment.

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Descriptive Light and Electron Microscopy of Normal and Clue-Cell-Positive Discharge

Cited by 13 publications

References 10 publications

Candida albicans forms biofilms on the vaginal mucosa

Candida albicans forms biofilms on the vaginal mucosa

The aetiology of bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis, Atopobium vaginae and Nifuratel

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