Lactobacillus crispatus as biomarker of the healthy vaginal tract.

Abstract

Decades of research have shown that the lactobacilli inhabiting the human vagina are the first line of defense in the female urogenital and reproductive tracts. In healthy cervicovaginal microbiota, Lactobacillus crispatus is prevalent and beneficial with production of copious amounts of lactic acid potent broad spectrum bactericide virucide and immunomodulator. Future and preventic approaches may need to include probiotics, prebiotics also have the potential to optimize and restore the vaginal ecosystem.

Keywords: Lactobacillus crispatus; hydrogen peroxide; lactic acid; prebiotics; probiotic.