2010
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-10-120
|View full text |Cite
|
Sign up to set email alerts
|

Cervicovaginal fluid and semen block the microbicidal activity of hydrogen peroxide produced by vaginal lactobacilli

Abstract: BackgroundH2O2 produced by vaginal lactobacilli is believed to protect against infection, and H2O2-producing lactobacilli inactivate pathogens in vitro in protein-free salt solution. However, cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) and semen have significant H2O2-blocking activity.MethodsWe measured the H2O2 concentration of CVF and the H2O2-blocking activity of CVF and semen using fluorescence and in vitro bacterial-exposure experiments.ResultsThe mean H2O2 measured in fully aerobic CVF was 23 ± 5 μM; however, 50 μM H2O2 … Show more

Help me understand this report

Search citation statements

Order By: Relevance

Paper Sections

Select...
2
1
1
1

Citation Types

3
83
0
2

Year Published

2011
2011
2016
2016

Publication Types

Select...
6
2
2

Relationship

0
10

Authors

Journals

citations
Cited by 100 publications
(94 citation statements)
references
References 32 publications
3
83
0
2
Order By: Relevance
“…Lactobacilli play an important role in maintaining a healthy vaginal environment because they can resist colonization of pathogens through the production of bacteriocins, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide as well as through competitive adherence to the vaginal epithelium [16,17]. However, semen has been reported to have significant H 2 O 2 -blocking activity [18]; therefore, consistent condom use can ensure the H 2 O 2 -producing protection of lactobacilli against genital tract pathogens. There is evidence indicating that consistent condom use could increase colonization of Lactobacillus crispatus in the vagina [19] and may therefore protect against AV.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Lactobacilli play an important role in maintaining a healthy vaginal environment because they can resist colonization of pathogens through the production of bacteriocins, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide as well as through competitive adherence to the vaginal epithelium [16,17]. However, semen has been reported to have significant H 2 O 2 -blocking activity [18]; therefore, consistent condom use can ensure the H 2 O 2 -producing protection of lactobacilli against genital tract pathogens. There is evidence indicating that consistent condom use could increase colonization of Lactobacillus crispatus in the vagina [19] and may therefore protect against AV.…”
Section: Discussionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Some species produce hydrogen peroxide in vitro; however, recent studies suggest that in the hypoxic conditions that exist in the vagina, concentrations may never achieve levels that are inhibitory to other bacteria 19 . In vaginal fluid, bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis can be suppressed with lactic acid but not hydrogen peroxide 20,21 . Some species also produce bacteriocins that can directly kill other bacterial species 22 .…”
Section: Healthy Lactobacillus Dominated Vaginal Floramentioning
confidence: 99%
“…24 However, the concentration of H 2 O 2 generated in vivo appears to be very low compared with the amount required for killing of STDs and BV-associated bacteria, possibly because H 2 O 2 production is restricted in an anaerobic environment. 25 Also, genital fluid and semen were found to inhibit the antimicrobial activity of H 2 O 2.…”
Section: Countmentioning
confidence: 99%