title: Staphylococcus aureus toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) production and Lactobacillus species growth in a defined medium simulating vaginal secretions.
abstract: Lactobacillus species are commensal with the healthy vaginal environment and inhibit the growth of many pathogenic bacteria in the vaginal tract by a variety of mechanisms, such as the production of hydrogen peroxide, organic acids, and antimicrobial substances. Simulation of the vaginal environment is crucial for proper investigation of the effects of Lactobacillus species on pathogenic bacteria. In this study, we modified a medium used to simulate vaginal secretions to improve the growth of toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1)-producing Staphylococcus aureus clinical strains and Lactobacillus species so that interactions between these bacteria may be examined. A medium consisting of basal salts, vitamins, albumin, glycogen, mucin, urea, sodium bicarbonate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and amino acids supported the growth of S. aureus and the production of TSST-1 as determined by Western analysis. Improved growth of the Lactobacillus species was seen when this same medium was supplemented with manganese chloride, sodium acetate, and an increase in glucose concentration. However, growth of S. aureus in the supplemented medium resulted in reduced levels of TSST-1. Production of TSST-1 was not detected in a medium routinely used for the growth of Lactobacillus species although S. aureus growth was not inhibited. The development of an improved genital tract secretion medium provides a more authentic environment in which to study the interactions of Lactobacillus species and vaginal pathogens, such as S. aureus.
authors.affiliation: Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Stingley
authors.affiliation: Office of Regulatory Affairs, Arkansas Regional Laboratories, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Huanli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Mullis
authors.affiliation: Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Elkins
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA. Electronic address: mark.hart@fda.hhs.gov.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D056265:Microbial Interactions; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018089:Superantigens; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D003470:Culture Media; D004768:Enterotoxins; D018089:Superantigens; C030107:enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal
keywords: In vitro growth; Lactobacillus species; Menstrual toxic shock syndrome; Simulated genital tract secretion medium; Staphylococcus aureus; TSST-1