Related Experiment Videos
Black-pigmented gram-negative anaerobes in genito-urinary tract and pelvic infections
1Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
Abstract:
Black-pigmented Gram-negative anaerobes are part of the normal vaginal flora and contribute to a range of superficial and deep genital infections. Prevotella melaninogenica is found in moderate numbers (10(4-6) cfu/g) in healthy women; the numbers and detection rates increase in anaerobic vaginosis (where it may be a significant contributor to changed microbial metabolic activity that gives the signs and symptoms of this condition) and in other vaginal infective conditions. Pr. melaninogenica is also part of the mixed flora in deep pelvic infections: endometritis, post-partum and post-abortal uterine infections; salpingitis and tubo-ovarian abscesses; PID and pelvic abscesses. Porphyromonas asaccharolytica is probably not a vaginal commensal, but may be isolated from patients with vaginal or pelvic disease. It is more specifically associated with superficial abscesses (e.g. Bartholin's abscess) and ulcers of the genitalia and perineum. P. asaccharolytica was the commonest species isolated from men with genital ulcers of various primary causes and ranging in severity from superficial balanitis/balanoposthitis to synergic gangrene.
Insights
Black-pigmented Gram-negative anaerobes like Prevotella melaninogenica are normal vaginal flora but increase during infections. Porphyromonas asaccharolytica is linked to genital ulcers and abscesses in both women and men.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Black-pigmented Gram-negative anaerobes are normal vaginal flora.
- Prevotella melaninogenica (Pr. melaninogenica) is present in healthy women but increases in anaerobic vaginosis and other vaginal infections.
- Pr. melaninogenica is also found in deep pelvic infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Prevotella melaninogenica and Porphyromonas asaccharolytica in vaginal and genital infections.
- To differentiate the clinical associations of these two bacterial species.
Main Methods:
- Observational study analyzing bacterial presence in various gynecological and urogenital conditions.
- Microbiological isolation and identification of key bacterial species.
Main Results:
- Pr. melaninogenica numbers increase in anaerobic vaginosis and are part of mixed flora in deep pelvic infections like endometritis, salpingitis, and pelvic abscesses.
- Porphyromonas asaccharolytica is not a typical vaginal commensal but is associated with superficial abscesses (e.g., Bartholin's abscess) and genital ulcers.
- P. asaccharolytica was the most common species isolated from men with genital ulcers, including balanitis and synergic gangrene.
Conclusions:
- Pr. melaninogenica plays a role in vaginal dysbiosis and deep pelvic infections.
- P. asaccharolytica is a significant pathogen associated with superficial genital infections and ulcers in both sexes.