Gardnerella species bacterial vaginosis biofilm (BV biofilm)

Gardnerella species bacterial vaginosis biofilm is a structured, polymicrobial community that adheres tenaciously to the vaginal epithelium, characterized by a dense matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) (Swidsinski et al., 2005). Gardnerella species, including G. vaginalis and G. swidsinskii, act as the primary scaffold-formers, facilitating the attachment and growth of other anaerobic pathogens such as Atopobium vaginae (Machado et al., 2016). This biofilm is a hallmark of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and is clinically identified by the presence of clue cells, which are vaginal epithelial cells heavily coated with a bacterial layer (Muzny et al., 2019). The biofilm structure provides a significant survival advantage, increasing resistance to standard antibiotics like metronidazole by up to 1000-fold compared to planktonic cells, which contributes to the high recurrence rates typical of the condition (Patterson et al., 2007). Therapeutic interventions target the biofilm through various mechanisms, including the use of acidifying agents like boric acid to disrupt the matrix, antiseptics like dequalinium chloride, and the introduction of probiotic Lactobacilli to displace the pathogenic community (Coudray & Madhivanan, 2020). Eradication of the biofilm is considered essential for achieving a long-term clinical cure and preventing complications such as preterm birth and increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (Onderdonk et al., 2016).

Other names

Gardnerella vaginalis biofilmPolymicrobial vaginal biofilmBacterial vaginosis biofilmVaginal dysbiotic biofilm

Disruption of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix, inhibition of bacterial attachment to vaginal epithelial cells, and bactericidal action against sessile bacterial cells within the structured community.