Isolation and identification of Lactobacillus species from the vagina and their antimicrobial properties

The microbial resident in the vagina is a heterogeneous flora containing bacteria. This microbial flora plays an important role in regular vagina function and support host defense from attack by pathogens. In this study Lactobacilli spp. isolated from healthy women and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated. One hundred and three healthy women referred to women clinics in Ahvaz-Iran were subjected for this study. A vaginal swab of each one inoculated in MRS broth media. After 24 h incubation the specimens were subcultured on MRS agar media. The Gram positive bacilli where isolated for more identification by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with genus and species-specific primers. The antimicrobial activity of confirmed lactobacilli where tested against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Fifty-one samples out of 103 were positive for Lactobacillus genus primers. Twenty-four isolates were Lactobacillus acidophilus and two species were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum and 2 as Lactobacillus casei. Twenty-three other isolates were just positive by genus primer. Twenty strains of L. acidophilus and one strain of L. plantarum, showed antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and C. albicans. The objectives of this study showed that less than 50% of healthy ladies in Ahvaz city-Iran can be supported from vaginal pathogens by lactobacilli probiotics but others are in risk of attack by harmful microbes.