Slipped-Strand Mispairing in the Gene Encoding Sialidase NanH3 in <i>Gardnerella</i> spp.

Cell wall proteins with sialidase activity are involved in carbohydrate assimilation, adhesion to mucosal surfaces, and biofilm formation. Gardnerella spp. inhabit the human vaginal microbiome encode up three enzymes, two of which suspected be cell associated. Here, we demonstrate that gene encoding extracellular NanH3 is found almost exclusively piotii closely related species genome sp. 3, its presence correlates a sialidase-positive phenotype collection 112 isolates.