TITLE:
Current Concepts of Gardnerella vaginalis Biofilm: Significance in Bacterial Vaginosis
AUTHORS:
Allison Nicole Kunze, Bryan Larsen
KEYWORDS:
Gardnerella, Bacterial Vaginosis, Virulence Factors, Biofilm, Microbiome
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.9 No.12,
December
18,
2019
ABSTRACT: Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) has been implicated in BV development.
Further, biofilm is accepted as one, if not the principle reason, for recurrent
or recalcitrant BV. GV has defined virulence factors that contribute to
biofilm, though more may be discovered within genomic information. Key players
in genital tract microecology include GV, other species of the microbiome, and
the epithelial base on which microbial interactions occur. The epithelium is
influenced by various forces such as douching, smoking, diet, and estrogen:
other potential factors are yet unidentified. All of these factors may
contribute to bacterial vaginosis. Further, biofilms usually contain microbial
species in addition to GV, and the mechanisms for supporting roles of these
other species provide an opportunity for elucidation. Gaps in knowledge still
exist in effective therapeutics aimed at biofilm, and better understanding of
the process of bacterial quiescence, persistence, and biofilm formation is a
key step in future research. Purpose: This review examines current literature
for information about biofilm significance in relation to GV and bacterial
vaginosis. Methods: Structured literature review.