Low vaginal pH and urinary-tract infection

Reid, Gregor; Bruce, AndrewW.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(95)92867-7

Cited by 22 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…These observations place HRG at the female reproductive tract, and since the cervicovaginal fluids in healthy women show low pH values (14,15), even after semen deposition (17,18,46), we surmise that HRG might exert a protective role against sexually transmitted viruses, such as HIV-1. It should be emphasized that the antiviral activity of HRG might not be limited to the female reproductive tract, since mucosal surfaces from other tissues, such as the urinary, the gastrointestinal, and the respiratory tracts, are usually exposed to low pH values, too (14,(47)(48)(49). Different studies have shown that, even in the absence of inflammatory processes, the pH of the airway surface liquid (ASL), a thin (ϳ25-m) layer of fluid that coats the airway mucosal surface, is acidic due to a constitutive and amiloride-sensitive process of proton secretion by the airway epithelium, which is further activated during airway inflammation (50,51).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein Inhibits HIV-1 Infection in a pH-Dependent Manner

Dantas

Díaz

Gerber

et al. 2019

J Virol

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Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) is an abundant plasma protein with a multidomain structure, allowing its interaction with many ligands, including phospholipids, plasminogen, fibrinogen, IgG antibodies, and heparan sulfate. HRG has been shown to regulate different biological responses, such as angiogenesis, coagulation, and fibrinolysis. Here, we found that HRG almost completely abrogated the infection of Ghost cells, Jurkat cells, CD4+ T cells, and macrophages by HIV-1 at a low pH (range, 6.5 to 5.5) but not at a neutral pH. HRG was shown to interact with the heparan sulfate expressed by target cells, inhibiting an early postbinding step associated with HIV-1 infection. More importantly, by acting on the viral particle itself, HRG induced a deleterious effect, which reduces viral infectivity. Because cervicovaginal secretions in healthy women show low pH values, even after semen deposition, our observations suggest that HRG might represent a constitutive defense mechanism in the vaginal mucosa. Of note, low pH also enabled HRG to inhibit the infection of HEp-2 cells and Vero cells by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), respectively, suggesting that HRG might display broad antiviral activity under acidic conditions. IMPORTANCE Vaginal intercourse represents a high-risk route for HIV-1 transmission. The efficiency of male-to-female HIV-1 transmission has been estimated to be 1 in every 1,000 episodes of sexual intercourse, reflecting the high degree of protection conferred by the genital mucosa. However, the contribution of different host factors to the protection against HIV-1 at mucosal surfaces remains poorly defined. Here, we report for the first time that acidic values of pH enable the plasma protein histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) to strongly inhibit HIV-1 infection. Because cervicovaginal secretions usually show low pH values, our observations suggest that HRG might represent a constitutive antiviral mechanism in the vaginal mucosa. Interestingly, infection by other viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus and herpes simplex virus 2, was also markedly inhibited by HRG at low pH values, suggesting that extracellular acidosis enables HRG to display broad antiviral activity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein Inhibits HIV-1 Infection in a pH-Dependent Manner

Dantas

Díaz

Gerber

et al. 2019

J Virol

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“…If the effectiveness of probiotic administration in minimizing BV relapses is established by further larger trials, gynecologists will have the safe tool to manage BV successfully. Moreover, it is possible that local administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus could also be a useful complementary tool in the management of recurrent urinary tract infections [15][16][17]. Specific clinical trials are needed to support the extension of probiotic therapy to a broader spectrum of urogenital infections.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long‐term vaginal administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus as a complementary approach to management of bacterial vaginosis

Marcone

Rocca

Lichtner

et al. 2010

Intl J Gynecology & Obste

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“…The authors postulate that HA reduces bacterial adherence and subsequent infection by restoring the glycosaminoglycan layer lining the transitional epithelium of the bladder. A low vaginal pH produced by vaginal lactobacillus colonization may reduce recurrences of UTIs in the non-transplant women [44]. The use of probiotics significantly reduced the incidence of bacterial nosocomial infections (the majority of which were UTIs) after liver transplantation [45].…”

Section: Prevention Of Utismentioning

confidence: 99%

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Mitra

Alangaden

2011

Curr Infect Dis Rep

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infectious complication after kidney transplantation (KT). Recurrent UTIs after KT can contribute to increased morbidity and may also be associated with graft loss and mortality. Though several risk factors like female gender, diabetes mellitus, presence of ureteric stents, native kidney disease with urological malformations and re-transplantation have been associated with recurrent UTIs after KT, vesicoureteric reflux appears to be a unique risk factor in this patient population. The emergence of drug-resistant pathogens as causative agents for post-transplant recurrent UTIs poses a significant therapeutic challenge. The use of pathogen-specific antibiotic therapy guided by culture and sensitivity data is warranted. The optimal duration of antimicrobial therapy for recurrent UTIs in renal transplant recipients remains uncertain.

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Low vaginal pH and urinary-tract infection

Cited by 22 publications

References 3 publications

Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein Inhibits HIV-1 Infection in a pH-Dependent Manner

Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein Inhibits HIV-1 Infection in a pH-Dependent Manner

Long‐term vaginal administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus as a complementary approach to management of bacterial vaginosis

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients

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