title: Lactobacillus crispatus inhibits the infectivity of Chlamydia trachomatis elementary bodies, in vitro study.
abstract: Lactobacillus species dominate the vaginal microbiota of healthy reproductive-age women and protect the genitourinary tract from the attack of several infectious agents. Chlamydia trachomatis, a leading cause of sexually transmitted disease worldwide, can induce severe sequelae, i.e. pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and ectopic pregnancy. In the present study we investigated the interference of Lactobacillus crispatus, L. gasseri and L. vaginalis, known to be dominant species in the vaginal microbiome, with the infection process of C. trachomatis. Lactobacilli exerted a strong inhibitory effect on Chlamydia infectivity mainly through the action of secreted metabolites in a concentration/pH dependent mode. Short contact times were the most effective in the inhibition, suggesting a protective role of lactobacilli in the early steps of Chlamydia infection. The best anti-Chlamydia profile was shown by L. crispatus species. In order to delineate metabolic profiles related to anti-Chlamydia activity, Lactobacillus supernatants were analysed by (1)H-NMR. Production of lactate and acidification of the vaginal environment seemed to be crucial for the activity, in addition to the consumption of the carbonate source represented by glucose. The main conclusion of this study is that high concentrations of L. crispatus inhibit infectivity of C. trachomatis in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti, 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nardini
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato, 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Rogers Alberto
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ñahui Palomino
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato, 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parolin
authors.affiliation: Centre of Foodomics, Department of Agro-Food Science and Technology, University of Bologna, P.za Goidanich, 60, 47521, Cesena, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Laghi
authors.affiliation: Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti, 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foschi
authors.affiliation: Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti, 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cevenini
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, Via San Donato, 19/2, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vitali
authors.affiliation: Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti, 9, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marangoni
mesh_terms: D000898:Antibiosis / Q000502:physiology*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000502:physiology; D000070003:Lactobacillus crispatus / Q000502:physiology*; D000069998:Lactobacillus gasseri / Q000502:physiology; D019906:Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; D013045:Species Specificity; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D019344:Lactic Acid; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid