Bacterial Vaginosis and HIV Risk: Emerging Microbial Mechanisms Relevant to Women’s Reproductive Health.
1
Biochemistry, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A533
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most prevalent reproductive tract infections globally and is consistently associated with increased HIV acquisition risk, particularly among women in low- and middle-income countries. Gardnerella (G.) vaginalis is a dominant BV-associated bacterium linked to vaginal dysbiosis, epithelial disruption, and genital tract inflammation. bacterial extracellular vesicles are emerging as important mediators of host–microbe interactions, yet their role in BV-associated inflammation relevant to HIV susceptibility remains poorly understood.
METHODS:
Extracellular vesicles were isolated from G. vaginalis cultured under in vitro conditions using polyethylene glycol precipitation followed by purification to reduce protein and media contaminants. vesicle production was assessed over time using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) to determine particle concentration and size distribution. vesicle morphology and membrane integrity were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). brain heart infusion broth processed in parallel served as a negative control.
RESULTS:
Extracellular vesicle production increased over time as bacterial optical density declined, reaching concentrations of approximately 7 x 1010 particles/ml at 144 hours. Particle analysis revealed vesicle diameters ranging from 160 to 220 nm, consistent with reported bacterial extracellular vesicle profiles. Microscopy confirmed round, cup-shaped, membrane-bound vesicles within this size range. no vesicle-like structures were observed in broth-only controls.
CONCLUSIONS:
These findings demonstrate that G. vaginalis produces structurally defined extracellular vesicles under laboratory conditions. characterizing these vesicles provides important mechanistic insight into potential microbial pathways contributing to BV persistence, mucosal inflammation, and increased HIV susceptibility. this work supports further investigation of BV-associated microbial products as targets for improved public health interventions addressing women’s reproductive health and HIV risk.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most prevalent reproductive tract infections globally and is consistently associated with increased HIV acquisition risk, particularly among women in low- and middle-income countries. Gardnerella (G.) vaginalis is a dominant BV-associated bacterium linked to vaginal dysbiosis, epithelial disruption, and genital tract inflammation. bacterial extracellular vesicles are emerging as important mediators of host–microbe interactions, yet their role in BV-associated inflammation relevant to HIV susceptibility remains poorly understood.
METHODS:
Extracellular vesicles were isolated from G. vaginalis cultured under in vitro conditions using polyethylene glycol precipitation followed by purification to reduce protein and media contaminants. vesicle production was assessed over time using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) to determine particle concentration and size distribution. vesicle morphology and membrane integrity were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). brain heart infusion broth processed in parallel served as a negative control.
RESULTS:
Extracellular vesicle production increased over time as bacterial optical density declined, reaching concentrations of approximately 7 x 1010 particles/ml at 144 hours. Particle analysis revealed vesicle diameters ranging from 160 to 220 nm, consistent with reported bacterial extracellular vesicle profiles. Microscopy confirmed round, cup-shaped, membrane-bound vesicles within this size range. no vesicle-like structures were observed in broth-only controls.
CONCLUSIONS:
These findings demonstrate that G. vaginalis produces structurally defined extracellular vesicles under laboratory conditions. characterizing these vesicles provides important mechanistic insight into potential microbial pathways contributing to BV persistence, mucosal inflammation, and increased HIV susceptibility. this work supports further investigation of BV-associated microbial products as targets for improved public health interventions addressing women’s reproductive health and HIV risk.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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