 |
| Source: News Medical |
What is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Bacterial vaginosis is a common microbial anomaly in the vaginal region (vaginal dysbiosis). The number of good bacteria decreases and the invasion of bacterial pathogens rises in women with bacterial vaginosis.
Despite the fact that the disorder is often symptom-free, it can put a woman at risk for sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections. Bacterial vaginosis can raise the risk of preterm birth in pregnant women.
Although the actual cause of increased pathogen colonization is unclear, it is commonly assumed that a decrease in the number of "beneficial bacteria" in the vaginal region promotes pathogen entry and expansion.
One of the most common causes of irregular vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age is bacterial vaginosis. Grey, white, or green vaginal discharge with a fishy odour, vaginal itching, and a burning feeling during urination are common characteristics of bacterial vaginosis.
The New Research Theory
The researchers proposed that pathogen invasion and preservation of vaginal dysbiosis was caused by the presence of sialidase production in the vaginal fluid of people with bacterial vaginosis.
Previous research has also shown that a dominant bacterial species (Gardnerella vaginalis) develops sialidases which cause the production of sialic acids from mucosal elements and cell surface glycoproteins in bacterial vaginosis.
Sialic acids are necessary for the growth of bacteria, reproduction, and virulence.
What Was the Research?
The research, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS Biology, indicates that oral sex can play a significant role in BV. The researchers studied the relationship between the growth of bacteria involved in the initiation of BV and Fusobacterium nucleatum, a commonly observed bacteria that is a key element of dental plaque and is linked to gum disease.
The Mutually Beneficial Relationship of Bacteria in the Vagina
The researchers discovered that F. nucleatum seemed to facilitate the development of other bacteria involved in BV after examining bacterial activity in mice and human vaginal specimens. This discovery prompted experts to believe that oral sex may be a possible cause of BV.
Fusobacterium nucleatum is a Gram-negative bacterium found mainly in the mouth of humans. This bacterium lacks natural sialidase production and has been known to repopulate with bacteria that produce sialidase.
In the presence of intracellular sialidases formed by sialidase-positive bacteria, F. nucleatum could use sialic acids as a nutrient source, according to the researchers.
The researchers discovered that since F. nucleatum lacks sialidase production, it is unable to use glycan-bound sialic acids in both in vivo and in vitro vitro experiments. F. nucleatum, on the other hand, may profit from sialic acids after the invasion with sialidase-producing vaginal bacteria.
Furthermore, the researchers discovered that F. nucleatum establishes a mutually advantageous association with sialidase-producing bacteria through inducing vaginal dysbiosis symptoms such as elevated sialidase production and Gardnerella vaginalis enrichment.
Maintaining vaginal dysbiosis, in particular, aids the persistence of a vulnerable bacterial species in the vagina. To sustain vaginal homeostasis, adversarial interactions occur in addition to the balanced interaction between microbial communities.
Lactobacilli (good bacteria) found in large numbers in women without bacterial vaginosis cause a lactic acid-rich, low pH atmosphere in the vagina, which helps in the removal of F. nucleatum.
The Connection Between Oral Sex and Bacterial Vaginosis
Since F. nucleatum is mostly found in the mouth, it is believed that women develop this bacterium in the vaginal area through oral sex. Furthermore, oral sex interaction has been linked to the development of bacterial vaginosis.
How to Stay Protected During Oral Sex?
Women who had received oral sex, both in heterosexual and homosexual experiences, were much more likely to be diagnosed with BV, according to a study issued in the British Medical Journal. Although this makes oral sex seem dangerous, experts agree that the use of tools such as dental dams can help to prevent pathogen transfer from the mouth to the vaginal area.
The Significance of The Current Study
The current research contributes to our knowledge of bacterial symbiosis by showing how metabolite cross-feeding can help pathogenic bacteria colonize the vaginal cavity and provide a favourable atmosphere for preserving vaginal dysbiosis.
Furthermore, the existing research explains why bacterial vaginosis enhances a woman's vulnerability to vaginal invasion by pathogenic bacteria that cause intrauterine infections and other health problems.
Conclusion
Although it is possible that factors such as food, soap, or semen are related to BV, medical researchers are unsure how any of those other variables cause BV in some persons but not others. The causes of BV remain largely unexplained.
Written by - Christeena George
Edited by - Adrija Saha
.jpeg)
0 Comments