The researchers, led by Dr. David Martin, Professor of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Center for Health Sciences of New Orleans, found that a known parasite that is sexually transmitted is capable of "cultivating" beneficial bacteria.

Scientists also were able to discover new, previously unknown strains of these bacteria.

An interesting work was published in the Advance Access section of the medical journal "Journal of Infectious Diseases", as well as in "Nature Reviews Urology".

The microorganism Trichomonas vaginalis is a common cause of the illness that every adult has heard of.

Trichomoniasis in women causes vaginal discharge, high incidence of preterm delivery, and increased susceptibility to HIV. Many people are carriers of Trichomonas infection, but do not even know about it.

Serious changes in the vaginal microflora cause a problem known as bacterial vaginosis. Women with this disease are more likely to have trichomonas infection. Scientists suggested that this phenomenon is not just a violation of the protective functions of the vaginal microflora, namely the presence of a particular bacterium that contributes to the colonization of the vagina with Trichomonas.

Dr. Martin says: "We have discovered two unique communities of microorganisms that are most often associated with trichomonas infection. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that these microbial communities consist of a large number of mycoplasmas, including those unknown previously. One of these is the new mycoplasma M. nola, which was named after New Orleans (NOLA - New Orleans, Louisiana) ".

Another type of mycoplasma, characteristic of such communities, is Mycoplasma hominis - a well-known pathogen. Observation data suggest that in women with trichomonas infection and the presence of these mycoplasma communities, trichomoniasis is very difficult. These women usually have more mucosal hyperemia, as well as more secretions.

Scientists believe that such a microbial association has a particularly strong effect on the risk of contracting HIV, but this theory has yet to be confirmed.

A particularly interesting result of the study is the evidence that Trichomonas somehow contribute to the spread of mycoplasma communities that are useful for them.

Dr. Martin concluded: "Previously, we believed that some microorganisms contribute to susceptibility to trichomonas infection. Now we are sure that Trichomonas plays the role of a "farmer" who grows useful bacterial communities. The proof of this hypothesis and the identification of specific bacteria is the key to new therapies for STDs. ".

medbe. en.

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