Lactobacillus is a genus of bacteria that form the majority of lactic-acid producing bacteria, converting sugar into lactic acid. Many areas of the human body are colonised with different species of lactobacilli, including the digestive system, vulvovaginal area, and urinary tract.
Lactobacilli form biofilms, acting in a symbiotic relationship with human tissues – we need them and they need us. Lactobacilli protect us from pathogens, and we provide them with nutrients.
Lactobacilli species are most commonly found in fermented dairy products like yoghurt and some cheeses, but is used medically to treat diarrhoea, vulvovaginal conditions, and skin problems.
Some useful and interesting lactobacilli species relating to the vulvovaginal area and urinary tract are:
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus crispatus
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lactobacillus salivarius
- Lactobacillus fermentum
- Lactobacillus gasseri
- Lactobacillus jenensii
- Lactobacillus iners
- Lactobacillus reuteri
- Lactobacillus johnsonii
| Condition type | Bacteria |
|---|---|
| Affected systems | Reproductive, Immune, Integumentary, Urinary, Digestive, Respiratory |
| Sexually Transmissible | Yes |
| Genitourinary Incidence | very common |
| Age group affected |
|
Microbial information
| Anaerobe / Aerobe | Facultative anaerobe/aerobe |
|---|---|
| Gram stain | Gram-positive |
| Best tests to detect | |
| Pathogen of | Commensal of (Can naturally inhabit, but not necessarily as a healthy addition) |
|
| Optimal growth pH | |
| Conditions correlated with |
|
| Cellular adherence capacities | High |
| Found in healthy vaginas | Yes |
| Biofilm-forming capacities |
|
| Cellular Morphology |
|
| Microbe Motility | |
| Colony Colour | |
| Substances Produced |
|
| Sexually Transmissible | Yes |
What are the symptoms of Lactobacillus spp.?
What causes Lactobacillus spp.?
- No causes found for Lactobacillus spp., yet.
What are the risk factors associated with Lactobacillus spp.?
- No risk factors for Lactobacillus spp., yet.
How do you diagnose Lactobacillus spp.?
- No diagnoses found for Lactobacillus spp., yet.
How do you treat Lactobacillus spp.?
Treatments for Lactobacillus spp. are only for practitioners and people who purchased the book Killing BV and Killing BV for men.
Which treatments are likely to be ineffective for Lactobacillus spp.?
What complications are associated with Lactobacillus spp.?
- No complications found for Lactobacillus spp., yet.