Isolation of Mobiluncus species from the human vagina

We report the results of a study concerning the characteristics of 52 strains of Mobiluncus spp. isolated from 982 vaginal secretions from patients with suspected bacterial vaginosis. 158 of these women presented the features of this bacterial infection. Of the strains isolated, 39 belonged to the species Mobiluncus curtisii, (25 of these which to M. curtisii subsp. curtisii and 14, to M. curtisii subsp. holmesii), and 13, to Mobiluncus mulieris. The vaginal isolates of Mobiluncus spp. were identified by comparing their biochemical profiles with those of the type strains M. curtisii subsp. holmesii (ATCC 35,242), M. curtisii subsp. curtisii (ATCC 35,241) and M. mulieris (ATCC 35,243). All strains of M. mulieris proved to be sensitive to the antimicrobial agents assayed, while strains of M. curtisii were seen to be resistant only to metronidazole.