Loose Leaf For Microbiology Fundamentals: A Clinical Approach
Loose Leaf For Microbiology Fundamentals: A Clinical Approach
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9781259293214
Author: Marjorie Kelly Cowan Professor, Jennifer Bunn
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
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Chapter 21, Problem 1CT
Summary Introduction

To determine:

The characteristics of Gardnerella infection or organism that does not induce any inflammation.

Introduction:

Female vagina harbors microflora which is able to survive under acidic environment. Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Sneathia, Streptococcus, and Gardnerella are present in the vagina of healthy women.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Explanation of Solution

Vaginosis disease is caused by the overgrowth of bacteria, such as Gardnerella vaginalis. It is a normal biota of vagina which is present in very low numbers. Sometimes Gardnerella secretes such substances which cause increase in pH of the vagina. Increase pH results in decreased acidity of the vagina which gives pathogenic growth a chance to survive and cause infection.

Vaginosis cased by Gardnerella is asymptomatic as it is the normal biota of vagina which causes infection only in opportunistic conditions like high pH. Vaginosis disease occurs due to the reduction of Lactobacillus which maintains acidic environment in vagina. This results in the growth of pathogenic strain of microorganisms that cause vaginal infection.

Vaginosis caused by Gardnerella show the symptoms of vaginal discharge with fishy odor and itching. The fishy odor is due to metabolic products released by anaerobic metabolism by Gardnerella species. Gardnerella is a gram positive bacterium which is facultative anaerobe that could survive in low oxygen concentration.

Gardnerella requires aerobic condition to survive and carry out metabolic processes but in case of low oxygen concentration it can switch to fermentation or anaerobic respiration. Ability to switch to anaerobic respiration of Gardnerella contributes to no inflammation characteristics in case of vaginosis. This is the reason that bacterial vaginosis caused by Gardnerella is asymptomatic and does not produce any inflammatory response.

Conclusion

The property of Gardnerella as a facultative anaerobe results in no inflammation leading to asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis.

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