title: Optimization of culture conditions for Gardnerella vaginalis biofilm formation.
abstract: Bacterial vaginosis is the leading vaginal disorder in women in reproductive age. Although bacterial vaginosis is related with presence of a biofilm composed predominantly by Gardnerella vaginalis, there has not been a detailed information addressing the environmental conditions that influence the biofilm formation of this bacterial species. Here, we evaluated the influence of some common culture conditions on G. vaginalis biofilm formation, namely inoculum concentration, incubation period, feeding conditions and culture medium composition. Our results showed that culture conditions strongly influenced G. vaginalis biofilm formation and that biofilm formation was enhanced when starting the culture with a higher inoculum, using a fed-batch system and supplementing the growth medium with maltose.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.affiliation: CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Avenida Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal; Labfit - HPRD: Health Products Research and Development Lda, Edificio UBIMEDICAL, Estrada Municipal 506, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palmeira-de-Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Centre of Biological Engineering, LIBRO - Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. Electronic address: nunocerca@ceb.uminho.pt.
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cerca
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Bacterial vaginosis; Biofilms; Clinical isolates; Gardnerella vaginalis