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Antimicrobial components of vaginal fluid
Erika V Valore1, Christina H Park, Sorina L Igreti
1Department of Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles 90095-1690, USA.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|September 19, 2002
Summary
Vaginal fluid shows selective antimicrobial activity against harmful bacteria, primarily due to lactic acid, low pH, and antimicrobial polypeptides. This protects the vaginal environment from non-resident microbes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Vaginal microbiome research
Background:
- The vaginal microbiome plays a crucial role in reproductive health.
- Understanding the protective mechanisms of vaginal fluid is essential for maintaining a healthy vaginal environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antimicrobial properties of vaginal fluid.
- To identify the key components responsible for its selective antimicrobial activity.
Main Methods:
- Assayed vaginal fluid for pH, lactic acid, and antimicrobial polypeptides.
- Fractionated vaginal fluid using molecular filtration.
- Tested antimicrobial activity of whole fluid and fractions against various microbes, including Escherichia coli.
Main Results:
- Vaginal fluids inhibited growth of Escherichia coli, Streptococcus group B, and Lactobacillus jensenii in some donors.
- Antimicrobial activity against E. coli was concentrated in a <3-kd fraction.
- Lactic acid significantly suppressed E. coli growth, and protein-rich fractions showed activity.
Conclusions:
- Vaginal fluid possesses selective antimicrobial activity against non-resident bacterial species.
- This activity is mediated by a combination of lactic acid, low pH, and antimicrobial polypeptides.