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BMC Infectious Diseases
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Research article

Cervicovaginal fluid and semen block the microbicidal activity of hydrogen peroxide produced by vaginal lactobacilli

Authors: Deirdre E O'Hanlon, Blair R Lanier, Thomas R Moench, Richard A Cone

Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Background

H2O2 produced by vaginal lactobacilli is believed to protect against infection, and H2O2-producing lactobacilli inactivate pathogens in vitro in protein-free salt solution. However, cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) and semen have significant H2O2-blocking activity.

Methods

We measured the H2O2 concentration of CVF and the H2O2-blocking activity of CVF and semen using fluorescence and in vitro bacterial-exposure experiments.

Results

The mean H2O2 measured in fully aerobic CVF was 23 ± 5 μM; however, 50 μM H2O2 in salt solution showed no in vitro inactivation of HSV-2, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Hemophilus ducreyii, or any of six BV-associated bacteria. CVF reduced 1 mM added H2O2 to an undetectable level, while semen reduced 10 mM added H2O2 to undetectable. Moreover, the addition of just 1% CVF supernatant abolished in vitro pathogen-inactivation by H2O2-producing lactobacilli.

Conclusions

Given the H2O2-blocking activity of CVF and semen, it is implausible that H2O2-production by vaginal lactobacilli is a significant mechanism of protection in vivo.
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Metadata
Title
Cervicovaginal fluid and semen block the microbicidal activity of hydrogen peroxide produced by vaginal lactobacilli
Authors
Deirdre E O'Hanlon
Blair R Lanier
Thomas R Moench
Richard A Cone
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-10-120

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