Gardnerella spp. pre-conditioned vs competitive multi-species biofilm growth and the impact on the tridimensional biofilm structure

Abstract

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common bacterial vaginal disorders among women of reproductive age. The hallmark of BV is the presence of a multi-species biofilm, formed primarily by Gardnerella spp., in a minor part by Atopobium vaginae, and also other anaerobic species. While a few studies have demonstrated that some BV-related species establish synergistic interactions with Gardnerella spp. in vitro dual-species biofilms, little is known regarding bacterial interactions in triple- species BV-associated biofilms. We evaluated the interactions and spatial distribution of Gardnerella spp., A. vaginae and a third BV-associated species, such as Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus iners, Mobiluncus curtisii, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Prevotella bivia, and Staphylococcus hominis, using two distinct in vitro biofilm formation models.