Degradation of Resistant α-1,4-glucan by Vaginal Gardnerella Species is Associated with Bacterial Vaginosis.

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the degradation of resistant α-1,4-glucan by vaginal bacterial species, with a focus on Gardnerella spp., to elucidate its role in bacterial vaginosis (BV). The ability of Gardnerella vaginalis, Gardnerella swidsinskii, Gardnerella leopoldii, Gardnerella piotii, Lactobacillus iners, and Lactobacillus crispatus was assessed to metabolize an ungelatinized, labeled form of raw amylose, a degradation-resistant α-1,4-glucan. The enzymatic activity of these species was evaluated in vitro, and its association with BV was examined in vaginal swabs. Gardnerella vaginalis, G. swidsinskii, and G. leopoldii demonstrated the best ability to degrade resistant α-1,4-glucan in vitro. Unlike the cell-bound, S-layer-associated glycogen-degrading activity in L. crispatus, this α-gluco

SUBMITTER: Hertzberger R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12405377 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature