Studies on Lactobacilli
Characterization of a Bacteriocin-Like Substance Produced by a Vaginal Lactobacillus Salivarius Strain
Virginia S. Ocaña, Aída A. Pesce de Ruiz Holgado, and María Elena Nader-Macías. Applied and Environmental Microbiology (1999)
Lactobacillus salivarius produces a specific protein that causes the death of other pathogenic bacteria, protecting vaginal health.
Vaginal pH Measured in Vivo: Lactobacilli Determine pH and Lactic Acid Concentration
Dierdre Elizabeth O’Hanlon, Richard Cone, and Thomas Moench. BMC Microbiology (2019)
This study clearly shows that it is the lactobacilli, rather than vaginal tissue or other microbes, that determine the pH and lactic acid concentrations of vaginal fluid.
Natural antimicrobials and their role in vaginal health: a short review.
SE Dover, AA Aroutcheva, S Faro, ML Chikindas. International Journal of Probiotics and Prebiotics (2008)
This review summarizes the roles of various molecules produced by lactobacilli and their roles in maintaining vaginal health.
In vaginal fluid, bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis can be suppressed with lactic acid but not hydrogen peroxide.
Dierdre E. O’Hanlon, Thomas R. Moench, Richard A. Cone. BMC Infectious Diseases (2011)
Lactobacilli produce both lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide; this article shows that lactic acid is the more important of the two in suppressing growth of pathogens.
Vaginal pH and microbicidal lactic acid when lactobacilli dominate the microbiota.
Dierdre E. O’Hanlon, Thomas R. Moench, Richard A. Cone. PLoS One (2013)
This research study shows that vaginal pH is lower than previously reported, and is determined primarily by the lactobacilli or other species present in the vagina.