Microbes that produce hydrogen peroxide reduce obstetrical complications.

2004 MAY 6 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Microbes that produce hydrogen peroxide reduce obstetrical complications.

According to recent research published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, "lactobacilli, principally the strains that are hydrogen peroxide (H[subscript]2O[subscript]2) producing, may have a protective effect against vaginal colonization by pathogenic species such as those that cause bacterial vaginosis. Previous reports have also suggested that H[subscript]2O[subscript]2-producing lactobacilli in the vagina may protect pregnant women against ascending infection of the chorioamniotic membranes and uterine cavity.

"We report the identification and H[subscript]2O[subscript]2 production of lactobacilli isolated from vaginal swabs collected at 20 weeks' gestation from a population of pregnant women at high risk of preterm birth."

"We also report the correlation between identification and H[subscript]2O[subscript]2 production in relation to the outcomes of chorioamnionitis and preterm birth. Lactobacilli were identified by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. H[subscript]2O[subscript]2 production by isolates was determined by a semiquantitative method," described M. Wilks and colleagues, Royal London Hospital, Department of Medical Microbiology.

"The most commonly isolated species were Lactobacillus crispatus, L. gasseri, L. vaginalis and L. jensenii. Amounts of H[subscript]2O[subscript]2 produced by lactobacilli varied widely. The presence of ...