The growth of Gardnerella vaginalis and Lactobacillus acidophilus in Sorbarod biofilms

• Published in: Journal of medical microbiology Vol. 47; no. 5; pp. 401 - 405
• Main Authors: Muli, F. W, Struthers, J. K
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Reading Soc General Microbiol 01-05-1998; Society for General Microbiology
• Subjects: Bacteriological methods and techniques used in bacteriology; Bacteriology; Biofilms - growth & development; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gardnerella vaginalis; Gardnerella vaginalis - growth & development; Gardnerella vaginalis - pathogenicity; Gardnerella vaginalis - physiology; Hemolysis; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Kinetics; Lactobacillus acidophilus; Lactobacillus acidophilus - growth & development; Lactobacillus acidophilus - physiology; Microbiology; Models, Biological; Space life sciences; Vaginosis, Bacterial - etiology; Vaginosis, Bacterial - microbiology; Continuous process; Gardnerella vaginalis; Lactic acid bacteria; Microorganism growth; Biofilm; Microorganism culture; Bacteria; Lactobacillaceae; Method; Lactobacillus acidophilus
• ISSN: 0022-2615; 1473-5644
• DOI: 10.1099/00222615-47-5-401

Department of Medical Microbiology, Clinical Sciences Building, Manchester Royal Infirmary and the University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL
Corresponding author: Dr J. K. Struthers.
Received April 15, 1997
Accepted October 3, 1997
Sorbarod biofilms were investigated for their suitability in establishing continuous culture biofilms for the study of bacterial vaginosis. Two important organisms in the condition, Gardnerella vaginalis and Lactobacillus acidophilus , were studied. In contrast to growth in broth culture, both organisms were maintained for at least 96 h in a steady state on the biofilms. With G. vaginalis , the haemolytic activity was consistently maintained in the biofilms in contrast to short-term activity in broth culture which matched the bacterial titre. The simple Sorbarod system appears to be suitable for studying the growth conditions of bacteria in continuous culture and has potential for investigating interactions between micro-organisms.