Abstract:
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) infections are among the most common bacterial
infections in females. The majority of infections in community are caused by
Gardnerella vaginalis which remains to be a common and troublesome health
problem worldwide.
The present work was carried out in Khartoum State during the period from
October, 2007 to September 2008 to study the activity of Lactobacillus
rhamnosus against bacterial vaginosis.
A total of two hundred and eleven vaginal swab specimens were collected from
pregnant and non pregnant women aged 18-70 years. Of the total specimens, 103
(48.8%) were collected from infected women and 108 (51.2%) from healthy
women. The specimens were investigated to isolate bacterial vaginosis agents
and for L. rhamnosus. The identification utilized macroscopical examination for
pH, odor, and color and microscopical examination for Gram’s stain and wet-
mount test. Cultural and biochemical tests were also done. Study on the effect of
L. rhamnosus on bacterial vaginosis was carried out by wells diffusion method.
Out of the 211 women investigated, 103 (48.4%) were infected and 108 (51%)
no infected. Out of the total specimens (211), 197 specimens yielded bacterial
growth. The rest (14) specimens were demonstrated either fungal growth or no
bacterial growth and thus they were excluded. From 108 healthy women, 70
(64.8%) L. rhamnosus were isolated. The identification of these organisms were
confirmed by its resistant to vancomycin, gentamicin and kanamycin and
sensetivity response to erythromycin, ability to ferment mannitol and lack of
production of catalase enzyme.
In vitro study of the effect of L. rhamnosus on bacterial vaginosis revealed
inhibition of G. vaginalis, Bacteroides spp. and Mobiluncus spp.
It is concluded that the presence of different Lactobacillus species as normal
vaginal microflora is a major determinant to the vaginal disorder in women.
L. rhamnosus could be used as an alternative natural treatment for the BV as
demonstrated by laboratory tests.
