Hydrogen Peroxide–Producing Lactobacilli Are Associated With Lower Levels of Vaginal Interleukin-1β, Independent of Bacterial Vaginosis. Issue 7 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mitchell, Caroline; Fredricks, David; Agnew, Kathy; Hitti, Jane
• Is Part Of: Sexually transmitted diseases. Volume 42:Issue 7(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Sexually transmitted diseases -- Periodicals; Sexual health -- Periodicals; 616.951005
• DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000298
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-5717

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec> <title>Background</title> <p>The presence of hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>)–producing lactobacilli in the vagina is associated with decreased rates of preterm birth and HIV acquisition. We hypothesize that this is due to immunomodulatory effects of these species.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods</title> <p>Concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, and human β-defensin 2 were quantified from vaginal swabs from 4 groups of women: women with and without bacterial vaginosis (BV) by Nugent score, further stratified by detection of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-producing lactobacilli by semiquantitative culture. Ten quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays characterized the presence and quantity of select <italic>Lactobacillus</italic> and BV-associated species in each group. Levels of immune markers and bacteria were compared between the 4 groups using analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney <italic>U</italic>, or χ<sup>2</sup> tests.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results</title> <p>Swabs from 110 women from 4 groups were included: 26 had a normal Nugent score (BV−), and no H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-producing lactobacilli detected (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>−); 47 were BV−, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>+; 27 BV+, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>−; and 10 BV+, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>+. The groups were similar in age, marital status, and reproductive history, but not ethnicity: the BV−, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>− group had more white participants (<italic>P</italic> = 0.02). In women with and without BV, IL-1β was lower in the H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>+ groups. Human β-defensin 2 was lowest in BV+ H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>− women and highest in BV−, H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>−. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor was lower in women with BV and did not differ by the presence of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-producing lactobacilli. In regression analysis, higher quantities of <italic>Lactobacillus crispatus</italic> were associated with lower quantities of IL-1β. Detection and quantity of BV-associated species by quantitative polymerase chain reaction was significantly different between women with and without BV, but not between women with and without H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-producing lactobacilli within those groups.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The presence of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-producing lactobacilli is associated with lower levels of some vaginal proinflammatory cytokines, even in women with BV.</p> </sec> </abstract>