Fannyhessea vaginae (formerly Atopobium vaginae) has a negative effect on cells, causing inflammation and increased gene expression of mucin-producing cells.
F. vaginae is strongly associated with recurrent bacterial vaginosis and is often found with Gardnerella vaginalis.
Fannyhessea vaginae (formerly Atopobium vaginae) is a gram positive cocci shaped bacterium highly specific to Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) (Sousa et al, 2021). This organism alone typically does not cause BV, rather in combination with Gardnerella spp.
- As an anaerobe
- Creates polymicrobial biofilms that layer the vaginal epithelial cells providing the anaerobic conditions for optimal growth (Sousa et al, 2021)
- The biofilms produced by this microbe serves as a diagnostic marker for BV
Genes of Fannyhessea
- 24 different strains
- Primary genome DSM 15829 is sequenced at 1.5 mbp, with the smallest strain only 461 bp
- Most of the genes are protein coding, with 1200 genes coding over 18,000 proteins.
- Encoded in this genome are sucrose metabolic pathways, glycan biosynthesis, and termination factor rho. In addition, the NusB protein involved in RNA biosynthesis within eubacteria is regulated by modulating transcription and antitermination efficiency.
Bacterial morphology of Fannyhessea
- Gram-positive
- Non-motile
- Non spore forming
- Rarely are found in single species planktonic state, but rather synergistically in the biofilms they create
- Utilises carbohydrates through a glycolysis and pentose phosphorous pathway
- The anaerobic glycolytic pathway breaks down glycerin-p to pyruvate to be used in the production of energy
- Pentose phosphorous pathway breaks down fructose-6p that can end up in the input of the glycolytic pathway
- In a further complex fashion, after the break down of the glycerin-p rather than continuing the production of pyruvate, this organism can switch its metabolism into an anabolic pathway to build the amino acid methionine from the serine intermediate
- Rarely found in the microbiota of healthy individuals.
- Once F. vaginae creates biofilms and attach to the vaginal epithelial wall, it causes anoxic conditions that exacerbating pH issues from lactic acid production, and increases discharge.
Sousa, L. G., Castro, J., França, A., Almeida, C., Muzny, C. A., & Cerca, N. (2021). A new PNA-fish probe targeting Fannyhessea Vaginae. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2021.779376
Mendling, Werner, et al. “An update on the role of Atopobium Vaginae in bacterial vaginosis: What to consider when choosing a treatment? A mini review.” Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, vol. 300, no. 1, 2019, pp. 1–6, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-019-05142-8
