[Antibacterial activity of lactobacilli]

The antagonistic action of lactobacilli is an important factor in the protection of the vagina of fertile women from infection by other microorganisms. In the present study the authors investigated 17 strains of lactobacilli, incl. 11 of vaginal origin. The objective was to investigate in more detail the antibacterial activity of lactobacilli and to attempt to assess substances responsible for inhibition. The investigated lactobacilli inhibited some strains of Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Shigella boydii, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua and Listeria ivanovii with different intensity. The authors provided evidence that inhibition is due mainly to organic acids and to a lesser extent to bacteriocins. The authors assessed also the effect of enterobacteria on lactobacilli but did not observe any inhibition of lactobacilli.