Studies on Lactobacilli
Characterization of a Bacteriocin-Like Substance Produced by a Vaginal Lactobacillus Salivarius Strain
Virginia S. Ocaña, Aída A. Pesce de Ruiz Holgado, and María Elena Nader-Macías. Applied and Environmental Microbiology (1999)
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Lactobacillus salivarius produces a specific protein that causes the death of other pathogenic bacteria, protecting vaginal health.
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Vaginal pH Measured in Vivo: Lactobacilli Determine pH and Lactic Acid Concentration
Dierdre Elizabeth O’Hanlon, Richard Cone, and Thomas Moench. BMC Microbiology (2019)
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This study clearly shows that it is the lactobacilli, rather than vaginal tissue or other microbes, that determine the pH and lactic acid concentrations of vaginal fluid.
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Natural antimicrobials and their role in vaginal health: a short review.
SE Dover, AA Aroutcheva, S Faro, ML Chikindas. International Journal of Probiotics and Prebiotics (2008)
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This review summarizes the roles of various molecules produced by lactobacilli and their roles in maintaining vaginal health.
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In vaginal fluid, bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis can be suppressed with lactic acid but not hydrogen peroxide.
Dierdre E. O’Hanlon, Thomas R. Moench, Richard A. Cone. BMC Infectious Diseases (2011)
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Lactobacilli produce both lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide; this article shows that lactic acid is the more important of the two in suppressing growth of pathogens.
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Vaginal pH and microbicidal lactic acid when lactobacilli dominate the microbiota.
Dierdre E. O’Hanlon, Thomas R. Moench, Richard A. Cone. PLoS One (2013)
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This research study shows that vaginal pH is lower than previously reported, and is determined primarily by the lactobacilli or other species present in the vagina.
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