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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology
Flow cytometric quantification of bacteria in vaginal swab samples self-collected by adolescents attending a gynecology clinic
Journal of Microbiological Methods, Volume 73, No. 3, Year 2008
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Description
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an important risk factor in reproductive health outcomes, such as pre-term birth and sexually transmitted infections including HIV. However, its etiology, diagnosis and treatment remain poorly defined. We evaluated flow cytometry as a tool to quantify total bacterial cells in vaginal specimens self-collected longitudinally by adolescents. BV was diagnosed by Gram-stain (criteria of Hay and Ison). Average flow cytometric counts of bacterial cell-units (BCU) was log10 8.04 per gram sample and was found to correlate with sample weight (p < 0.0001). BV was frequently observed in this group, with 22 of 32 participants (69%) diagnosed with BV for at least one timepoint. Surprisingly, increased BCU was associated with normal Hay-Ison score (p = 0.0003), even when adjusting for sample weight (p = 0.02). Since presence and quantity of Lactobacillus defines normal vaginal microbiology (ie. absence of BV), this result indicates a possible bias towards dominance of Lactobacillus cells in measurements of "total" BCU. Increased BCU per gram was associated in multivariate analysis with longer self-reported time since last menstruation (p = 0.004) and last sexual intercourse (p = 0.007). Sperm was detected in 3 samples provided by those reporting sexual intercourse in the previous 24 h. Light-scattering profiles of bacteria and vaginal cells in samples collected over time from an individual were often identical and distinct from other individuals. To our knowledge, this is the first description of flow cytometry for analysis of commensal bacteria in vaginal specimens. Further development may help to illuminate the complex dynamics of vaginal microbial communities underlying BV. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Schellenberg, John J.
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Blake Ball, T.
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Lane, Margo A.
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Cheang, Mary Sy
Unknown Affiliation
Plummer, Francis Allan
Canada, Winnipeg
University of Manitoba
Canada, Ottawa
Public Health Agency of Canada
Statistics
Citations: 16
Authors: 5
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.mimet.2008.03.004
ISSN:
01677012
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Infectious Diseases
Sexual And Reproductive Health