Gardnerella vaginalis diversity and ecology in relation to vaginal symptoms.
Gardnerella vaginalis was first described in 1953, and subsequently identified as the causative agent of a cluster of vaginal symptoms currently known as vaginosis. Research has so far failed to confirm whether and by which mechanism G. vaginalis initiates vaginosis, with, consequently, poor diagnostics and treatment outcomes. Recent molecular analyses of protein-coding genes demonstrate that the taxon G. vaginalis consists of at least four distinct species. This development may represent a critical turning point in clarifying ecological interactions and virulence factors contributing to symptoms and/or sequelae of vaginosis.
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, 545-745 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada. Electronic address: John.Schellenberg@umanitoba.ca.
John J
JJ
Schellenberg
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada. Electronic address: amp000@mail.usask.ca.
Mo H
MH
Patterson
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada. Electronic address: Janet.Hill@usask.ca.
Janet E
JE
Hill
D005260:Female; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*
D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
Bacterial vaginosis; Gardnerella vaginalis; Microbial ecology; Microbiome; Phylogeny; Virulence