Bacteria
The present invention relates to bacteria and metabolites thereof that are capable of binding to vaginal cells and producing hydrogen peroxide, their use in probiotic compositions and food products and methods for their selection. The invention also relates to the use of said bacteria, metabolites and probiotic compositions for the prevention and/or treatment of urogenital disorders.
1. A method for inhibiting the effect of urogenital tract pathogens by enhancing vaginal immunity by rendering the vaginal environment less receptive to pathogens, wherein:
the method comprises:
administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutically effective amount of bacteria or a metabolite thereof; and
the bacteria comprise:
Lactobacillus jensenii DSM 32101 , Lactobacillus brevis DSM 32108 , Lactobacillus brevis DSM 32107 , Lactobacillus crispatus DSM 32100 , Lactobacillus fermentum DSM32109 , Lactobacillus fermentum DSM 32113 , Lactobacillus gasseri DSM 32103 , Lactobacillus jensenii DSM 32102 , Lactobacillus paracasei DSM 32097 or Lactobacillus rhamnosus DSM 32115;
wherein the Lactobacillus jensenil DSM 32101, the Lactobacillus brevis DSM 32108, the Lactobacillus crispatus DSM 32100, the Lactobacillus fermentum DSM32109, the Lactobacillus fermentum DSM 32113, the Lactobacillus gasseri DSM 32103, the Lactobacillus jensenii DSM 32102, or the Lactobacillus rhamnosus DSM 32115, all being characterized as having:
a) a binding affinity in an assay for in vitro vaginal cell adhesion of at least 1.0 when compared to Lactobacillus helveticus LH0138, and
b) a hydrogen peroxide production level of more than 1128581 measured as fluorescence counts produced during 1.5 hours when determined in a hydrogen peroxide production assay and/or a level higher than that of Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14; or wherein the Lactobacillus brevis DSM 32107 or the Lactobacillus paracasei DSM 32097 is characterized as having the binding affinity in the assay for the in vitro vaginal cell adhesion of the at least 1.0 when compared to the Lactobacillus helveticus LH0138.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the bacteria comprise Lactobacillus jensenii DSM 32101.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the bacteria comprise Lactobacillus crispatus DSM 32100.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the bacteria comprise Lactobacillus fermentum DSM 32109.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the bacteria comprise Lactobacillus fermentum DSM 32113.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the bacteria comprise Lactobacillus jensenii DSM 32102.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the method inhibits the effect of urogenital tract pathogens in bacterial vaginosis by enhancing vaginal immunity.