Dequalinium Chloride Effectively Disrupts Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. Biofilms
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most frequent vaginal infection worldwide. It is caused by the overgrowth of anaerobic vaginal pathogens such as <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. BV has been associated with the occurrence of dense multispecies biofilms on the vaginal mucosa. Treatment of biofilm-a...
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/3/261 |
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| author | Carlos Gaspar Joana Rolo Nuno Cerca Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira José Martinez-de-Oliveira Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira |
| author_facet | Carlos Gaspar Joana Rolo Nuno Cerca Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira José Martinez-de-Oliveira Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira |
| author_sort | Carlos Gaspar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most frequent vaginal infection worldwide. It is caused by the overgrowth of anaerobic vaginal pathogens such as <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. BV has been associated with the occurrence of dense multispecies biofilms on the vaginal mucosa. Treatment of biofilm-associated infections such as BV is challenging. In this study, we have tested the role of a quaternary ammonium compound, dequalinium chloride (DQC), in the eradication of <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. biofilms. The effects of the test substance on the biomass and the metabolic activity of the biofilm of <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. were assessed in vitro using a microtiter plate assay. In addition, the effect of DQC on the <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. biofilm was further assessed by using scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that DQC was particularly effective in the destruction of BV-associated <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. biotypes, impacting both their biomass and metabolic activity. In addition, the disruption of biofilm architecture was evident and was probably caused by multiple mechanisms of action. We conclude that DQC is an antibiofilm agent and is able to efficiently destroy <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. BV-associated biofilms. Therefore, it is a valid option for BV therapy and has the potential to prevent BV recurrences. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:33:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c0fada81c8fd4107918d89c976084bd1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:33:53Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-c0fada81c8fd4107918d89c976084bd12023-12-11T18:19:50ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172021-02-0110326110.3390/pathogens10030261Dequalinium Chloride Effectively Disrupts Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. BiofilmsCarlos Gaspar0Joana Rolo1Nuno Cerca2Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira3José Martinez-de-Oliveira4Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira5CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, PortugalCICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, PortugalCentre of Biological Engineering (CEB), Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira (LIBRO), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, PortugalCICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, PortugalCICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, PortugalCICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Center, University of Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilhã, PortugalBacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most frequent vaginal infection worldwide. It is caused by the overgrowth of anaerobic vaginal pathogens such as <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. BV has been associated with the occurrence of dense multispecies biofilms on the vaginal mucosa. Treatment of biofilm-associated infections such as BV is challenging. In this study, we have tested the role of a quaternary ammonium compound, dequalinium chloride (DQC), in the eradication of <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. biofilms. The effects of the test substance on the biomass and the metabolic activity of the biofilm of <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. were assessed in vitro using a microtiter plate assay. In addition, the effect of DQC on the <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. biofilm was further assessed by using scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that DQC was particularly effective in the destruction of BV-associated <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. biotypes, impacting both their biomass and metabolic activity. In addition, the disruption of biofilm architecture was evident and was probably caused by multiple mechanisms of action. We conclude that DQC is an antibiofilm agent and is able to efficiently destroy <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. BV-associated biofilms. Therefore, it is a valid option for BV therapy and has the potential to prevent BV recurrences.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/3/261bacterial vaginosisdequalinium chloridebiofilmtreatmentrecurrence prevention |
| spellingShingle | Carlos Gaspar Joana Rolo Nuno Cerca Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira José Martinez-de-Oliveira Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira Dequalinium Chloride Effectively Disrupts Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. Biofilms Pathogens bacterial vaginosis dequalinium chloride biofilm treatment recurrence prevention |
| title | Dequalinium Chloride Effectively Disrupts Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. Biofilms |
| title_full | Dequalinium Chloride Effectively Disrupts Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. Biofilms |
| title_fullStr | Dequalinium Chloride Effectively Disrupts Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. Biofilms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dequalinium Chloride Effectively Disrupts Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. Biofilms |
| title_short | Dequalinium Chloride Effectively Disrupts Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) <i>Gardnerella</i> spp. Biofilms |
| title_sort | dequalinium chloride effectively disrupts bacterial vaginosis bv i gardnerella i spp biofilms |
| topic | bacterial vaginosis dequalinium chloride biofilm treatment recurrence prevention |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/3/261 |
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