Variables affecting the adherence of Gardnerella vaginalis to human vaginal epithelial cells were examined in vitro. Adherence depended on pH, with maximum attachment occurring between pH 5 and pH 6. Preincubation of the bacteria at 56 degrees C for 30 minutes and ultraviolet irradiation resulted in a noticeable decrease in adherence. In contrast, adherence was not altered by preincubating the ...

The fluid content of the vagina is derived solely from: (1) Mucus secretions of the cervical columnar cells. (2) Transudation through the vaginal walls. (3) Vulval secretions from sebaceous and sweat glands. (4) Bartholin's glands, which are said to produce an "acid mucus secretion". Vaginal acidity is thought to depend on the presence and amount of lactic acid formed by the action of Doderlein...

BACKGROUND Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is responsible for regulating inflammatory damage to and innate and adaptive immune responses in the vaginal mucosa. Depressed cervicovaginal SLPI levels have been correlated with both Trichomonas vaginalis infection and poor reproductive health outcomes. METHODS We measured levels of SLPI in 215 vaginal specimens collected from adolesc...

10.2217/14750708.4.3.349 © 2 Up to 40%of postmenopausal women have symptoms of atrophic vaginitis. Since the condition is attributable to estrogen deficiency, it may also occur in premenopausal women who take antiestrogenic medications or who have medical or surgical conditions that result in decreased levels of estrogen. The thinned vaginal epithelium and increased vaginal pH level induced by ...

OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to evaluate whether vaginal administration of probiotic Lactobacillus results in their colonization and persistence in the vagina and whether Lactobacillus colonization promotes normalization and maintenance of pH and Nugent score. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. Altogether...

BACKGROUND Preterm labor (PTL) is responsible for most cases of neonatal death. In most of these cases, the causes of PTL have not been established although several risk factors have been described. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for PTL before 37 gestational weeks among Egyptian women. METHODS In this case-control study, 117 pregnant women without risk facto...

A prospective study of genital infections was conducted in a university-affiliated teaching hospital in Hamedan City, Iran. A total of 540 women were recruited and divided into two equal groups: (1) the case group with vaginitis (N=270) and, (2) the asymptomatic control group (N=270). Participants were interviewed about the occurrence of any vaginal or urethral discharge. Two vaginal swabs were...

Fluconazole (FLZ) has emerged as a highly successful agent in the management of systemic infections of Candida. Cure rates for symptomatic candidiasis following single 150-mg FLZ dose therapy exceed 90%. In vitro, however, FLZ is fungistatic only in a narrow pH range and is not effective at vaginal pH, 4.2. This study evaluated the effect of FLZ on Candida albicans under in vitro conditions res...