Anaerobes and bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy: virulence factors contributing to vaginal colonisation
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Abstract
The aetiology and pathogenesis of bacterial vaginosis (BV) is unclear but it appears to be associated with factors that disrupt the normal acidity of the vagina thus altering the equilibrium between the normal vaginal microbiota. BV has serious implications for female morbidity, including reports of pelvic inflammatory disease, adverse pregnancy
outcomes, increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections and infertility.
This paper reviewed new available information regarding possible factors contributing to
the establishment of the BV vaginal biofilm, examined the proposed role of anaerobic
microbial species recently detected by new culture-independent methods and discusses
developments related to the effects of BV on human pregnancy. The literature search
included Pubmed (NLM), LISTA (EBSCO), and Web of Science. Because of the complexity
and diversity of population groups, diagnosis and methodology used, no meta-analysis was performed. Several anaerobic microbial species previously missed in the laboratory
diagnosis of BV have been revealed while taking cognisance of newly proposed theories of infection, thereby improving our understanding and knowledge of the complex aetiology and pathogenesis of BV and its perceived role in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Description
Keywords
Pregnancy outcomes, Bacterial vaginosis, Female morbidity, Microbial ecology
Citation
Africa, C.W.J. et al. (2014). Anaerobes and bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy: virulence factors contributing to vaginal colonisation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 11(7): 6979-7000