Isolation of <i>Gardnerella Vaginalis</i> from the Reproductive Tract of Four Mares

Summary Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection among women of childbearing age. This condition is notorious for causing severe complications related to the reproductive health of women. Five decades of intense research established many risk factors for acquisition of BV; however, because of the complexity of BV and lack of a reliable animal model for this condition, its exact aetiology remains elusive. In this manuscript, we use a historical perspective to critically review the development of major theories on the aetiology of BV, ultimately implicating BV‐related pathogens, healthy vaginal microbiota, bacteriophages and the immune response of the host. None of these theories on their own can reliably explain the epidemiological data. Instead, BV is caused by a complex interaction of multiple factors, which include the numerous components of the vaginal microbial ecosystem and their human host. Many of these factors are yet to be characterized because a clear understanding of their relative contribution to the aetiology of BV is pivotal to the formulation of an effective treatment for and prophylaxis of this condition.

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“…During routine prebreeding examinations, Salmon et al. (1990) isolated Gram‐variable pleomorphic bacilli from the genital tracts of four mares.…”

Section: Gardnerella Vaginalismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These bacilli were identified as G. vaginalis by various tests. A larger study that followed investigated the occurrence of G. vaginalis in specimens collected from the genital tracts of 93 mares (Salmon et al. 1991).…”

Section: Gardnerella Vaginalismentioning

confidence: 99%

The aetiology of bacterial vaginosis

Turovskiy

Noll

Chikindas

2011

Journal of Applied Microbiology

210

160

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“…Salmon et al (198) detected the presence of Gardnerella strains in the genital flora of mares, the first observation of natural infection in animals. The characteristics used to identify equine isolates as G. vaginalis included the appearance of Gram-stained cells, catalase-negative reaction, hippurate hydrolysis, beta-hemolysis on HBT medium, absence of sheep blood hemolysis, fatty acid profiles, and ultrastructure observed in electron micrographs.…”

Section: Susceptibility To Chemotherapeutic Agentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Piot et al (176) Growth inhibition by sodium polyanetholesulfonate or by alpha-hemolytic streptococci was included among tests for the presumptive identification of G. vaginalis in some studies (164,185,198,228) (247). Results for 96 (91%) of 105 strains agreed with those obtained with standard biochemical methods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gardnerella vaginalis: characteristics, clinical considerations, and controversies

1992

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The clinical significance, Gram stain reaction, and genus affiliation of Gardnerella vaginalis have been controversial since Gardner and Dukes described the organism as the cause of "nonspecific vaginitis," a common disease of women which is now called bacterial vaginosis. The organism was named G. vaginalis when taxonomic studies showed that it was unrelated to bacteria in various genera including Haemophilus and Corynebacterium. Electron microscopy and chemical analyses have elucidated the organism's gram-variable reaction. Controversy over the etiology of bacterial vaginosis was largely resolved by (i) studies using improved media and methods for the isolation and identification of bacteria in vaginal fluids and (ii) standardization of criteria for clinical and laboratory diagnosis. Besides G. vaginalis, Mobiluncus spp., Mycoplasma hominis, and certain obligate anaerobes are now acknowledged as participants in bacterial vaginosis. The finding that G. vaginalis, Mobiluncus spp., and M. hominis inhabit the rectum indicates a potential source of autoinfection in addition to sexual transmission. Extravaginal infections with G. vaginalis are increasingly recognized, especially when the toxic anticoagulant polyanetholesulfonate is omitted from blood cultures and when urine cultures are incubated anaerobically for 48 h. The finding that mares harbor G. vaginalis suggests that an equine model can be developed for studies of Gardnerella pathogenesis.

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“…[8][9][10] Corynebacterium spp., Proteus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. 12 Taylorella equigenitalis is a pathologic, microaerophilic, gram-negative organism transmitted venereally and is the cause of contagious equine metritis (CEM). Gardnerella vaginalis, an organism reported to cause vaginitis in humans, has been documented in mares 11,12 ; however, biopsy samples indicated only mild endometritis, and the mares conceived and carried foals to term without antibiotic therapy, so the clinical significance is questionable.…”

Section: Pathogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%