Harmful vaginal bacteria and fungi

Harmful vaginal bacteria and fungi" is not a specific molecule, protein, or canonical drug target, but a heterogeneous grouping referring to bacterial and fungal microbes in the vaginal ecosystem that contribute to infection, inflammation, or vaginal dysbiosis (microbial imbalance). Key pathogenic bacteria include Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, and Prevotella species in the case of bacterial vaginosis, and fungal pathogens primarily involve Candida albicans as well as non-albicans Candida species. These microorganisms do not constitute a single biological entity, enzyme, receptor, or molecule, but rather a taxonomic and ecological category defined by their negative impact on host vaginal health, predominantly when they reach pathogenic abundances or displace protective lactobacilli. Treatments focus on eradicating these microbes (with antibiotics or antifungals) or restoring a protective Lactobacillus-dominant environment (using probiotics or microbiome transplantation). Thus, "harmful vaginal bacteria and fungi" is not a valid entry for a molecular or protein target; rather, therapies must focus on individual species or restore a balanced vaginal microbiome

Other names

Harmful vaginal bacteriaHarmful vaginal fungiVaginal pathogens

Antimicrobials eradicate or inhibit the growth of bacterial or fungal pathogens; probiotics aim to restore healthy Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota; microbiome transplantation seeks to reestablish a protective microbial community