Species Differentiation of Human Vaginal Lactobacilli

Abstract

The designation ' Doderlein's bacillus ' for human vaginal strains of the genus LactobaciUzcar is vague and unsatisfactory, Thirty-five strains of lactobacilli from twenty-one normal non-pregnant women aged 21-80 were isolated; c. 25% were heterofermentative. Of 21 isolates studied in detail, 18 were L. acidophilw and two were L. cmei var. rhnosecs (Rogosa et al. 1958). The heterofermentative species comprised four strains of L. f m t i and one of L. cellobiom (Rogosa et aZ. 1938). Glycogen fermentation, which was found only in certain strains of L. acidophilus, was a variable characteristic. In addition, Leuconostoc mesentmoides, which on examination of smears can be confused with short rod forms, was also isolated.

Phenotypic and phylogenetic characterization of a novel Lactobacillus species from human sources: description of Lactobacillus iners sp. nov.

“…Lactobacilli have long been known to be residents of normal vaginal flora of women. The predominant vaginal Lactobacillus species are considered to be Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus fermentum (Eschenbach et al, 1989 ;Rogosa & Sharpe, 1960;Wylie & Henderson, 1969). However, some of the organisms routinely assigned to L. acidophilus correspond to L. gasseri or Lactobacillus crispatus (Hammes et al, 1992).…”

Surface characteristics of lactobacilli isolated from human vagina.

“…Consent was obtained from all participants, and the Institutional Ethics Committee approved the protocol. The samples were taken aseptically with a cotton swab, collected in LBS (Lactobacillus Selective Medium) (Rogosa and Sharpe, 1963) broth, and taken to the laboratory where they were transferred to different culture media.…”

Catheter-related Leuconostoc bacteremia secondary to pulmonary Mycobacterium xenopi infection

“…Leuconostoc is not considered to be a usual part of the normal human microbiological flora, although it has previously been isolated from various sites such as gastric and vaginal fluids [11,12]. Most Leuconostoc infections are of nosocomial origin and occur mainly in patients with severe underlying disease or critical illness [2,6].…”