Genetic diversity of vaginal lactobacilli from women in different countries based on 16S rRNA gene sequences

Abstract

Aims: Lactobacilli are widely distributed in food and the environment, and some colonize the human body as commensal bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the species of lactobacilli that colonize the vagina and compare them with those found in food and the environment. Methods and Results: Thirty‐five Lactobacillus strains from women from seven countries were isolated, and sequences from 16S rRNA genes were determined and compared with existing data in GenBank. A phylogenetic tree was achieved using the Neighbour‐Joining method based on the analysis of 1465 nucleotides. The results showed that most vaginal isolates were L. crispatus, L. jensenii and L. gasseri. Some were L. vaginalis, L. fermentum, L. mucosae, L. paracasei and L. rhamnosus. Two isolates from a native American woman displayed distinct branches, indicating novel phylotypes. Few vaginal isolates matched food or environmental Lactobacillus species. Conclusions: Most women worldwide were colonized by three common Lactobacillus species: L. crispatus, L. jensenii and L. gasseri. Significance and Impact of Study: Knowledge of vaginal Lactobacillus species richness and distribution in women worldwide may lead to the design of better probiotic products as bacterial replacement therapy.

Qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of Lactobacillus species in the vaginas of healthy fertile and postmenopausal Chinese women

“…Furthermore, our study found that L. iners, followed by L. crispatus, was the most predominant species in Chinese women. A study of multinational populations showed that L. crispatus was the most commonly predominant species in most populations (Pavlova et al, 2002). The association between geographical area and Lactobacillus species may be partly explained by genetic factors, because the genetic capacity to produce antimicrobial factors could affect vaginal bacteria including Lactobacillus species (Linhares et al, 2010).…”

Effect of iron on the probiotic properties of the vaginal isolate Lactobacillus jensenii CECT 4306

“…Since the first microbiological study of the human vagina, lactobacilli have been considered the dominant members of the microbiota of this organ (Doderlein, 1982), a finding that has been further confirmed by several recent metagenomic studies (Biagi et al, 2009;Fettweis et al, 2012;Martín et al, 2014;Pavlova et al, 2002;Song et al, 1999;Verhelst et al, 2004;Vitali et al, 2007;Wilks et al, 2004;Zhou et al, 2004). In total, around 20 different species of lactobacilli have been consistently isolated from the vagina, although only one or two species predominate at a time in a given individual.…”

“…In total, around 20 different species of lactobacilli have been consistently isolated from the vagina, although only one or two species predominate at a time in a given individual. Dominant strains vary as a function of race and lifestyle, but strains of Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus iners, Lactobacillus jensenii and Lactobacillus gasseri are the most frequent (Biagi et al, 2009;Pavlova et al, 2002;Song et al, 1999;Verhelst et al, 2004;Vitali et al, 2007;Wilks et al, 2004;Zhou et al, 2004).…”

Current views on vaginal microbiota and its impact on pregnancy outcomes

“…С использованием метаге-номного анализа установлено наличие в ваги-нальном микробиоме около 20 видов лактоба-цилл [8]. При этом доминирующими являются четыре вида группы Lactobacillus acidophilus: L. crispatus, L. jensenii, L. gasseri и L. iners [9].…”