Gardnerella vaginalis

General Information

Gardnerella vaginalis is a fascinating microorganism primarily known for its association with bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common vaginal condition. One of the most intriguing aspects of G. vaginalis is its role in the vaginal microbiome. Unlike many other bacteria that are part of the normal vaginal flora, G. vaginalis can become pathogenic under certain conditions, leading to an imbalance in the microbial community. G. vaginalis is unique due to its ability to produce a variety of virulence factors, including cytolysins and biofilm formation capabilities, which contribute to its pathogenicity. The production of these virulence factors allows G. vaginalis to adhere to vaginal epithelial cells and evade the host immune response. This adherence is facilitated by the presence of pili and other surface proteins that interact with the host tissues. Another interesting characteristic of G. vaginalis is its metabolic versatility. It can utilize a range of substrates for growth, including amino acids and sugars, which allows it to thrive in the nutrient-variable environment of the vagina. This metabolic flexibility is a key factor in its ability to outcompete other microorganisms and establish dominance in the vaginal microbiome during episodes of BV. From a research perspective, G. vaginalis is valuable for studying microbial interactions and host-pathogen dynamics. Its role in BV makes it a target for developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring a healthy vaginal microbiome. Additionally, understanding the mechanisms by which G. vaginalis transitions from a commensal organism to a pathogen can provide insights into microbial pathogenesis and the development of chronic infections. In summary, Gardnerella vaginalis is a microorganism of significant interest due to its complex interactions within the vaginal microbiome, its pathogenic potential, and its implications for women's health. Its study offers valuable insights into microbial ecology, pathogenesis, and potential therapeutic approaches.

Gardnerella vaginalis is a notable bacterium primarily associated with the human urogenital tract, particularly in women. This organism is often linked to bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common condition characterized by an imbalance of the normal vaginal flora. What makes G. vaginalis particularly interesting is its role in the complex interplay of microbial communities within the vagina. Unlike many other bacteria, G. vaginalis is not a strict pathogen but rather a part of the normal flora that can become overrepresented under certain conditions, leading to dysbiosis and associated symptoms. Unique Characteristics: One of the defining features of G. vaginalis is its ability to produce a variety of enzymes, including sialidases and glycosidases, which can contribute to the breakdown of mucosal barriers and the alteration of the vaginal environment. This enzymatic activity is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of BV, making it a target for research into therapeutic interventions. Research Value: The study of G. vaginalis is crucial for understanding the dynamics of microbial communities in the vagina and their impact on women's health. Research has shown that the presence of G. vaginalis is often correlated with an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This highlights the importance of this organism not only in the context of BV but also in broader reproductive health issues. Furthermore, the exploration of G. vaginalis interactions with other microbial species can provide insights into the mechanisms of microbial competition and cooperation, which are fundamental concepts in microbiology. As researchers continue to investigate the genomic and metabolic pathways of G. vaginalis, it may reveal potential targets for probiotics or other therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring healthy vaginal flora. Overall, G. vaginalis serves as a key player in the intricate ecosystem of the human microbiome, making it a valuable subject for ongoing research.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Actinomycetota

Class: Actinomycetes

Order: Bifidobacteriales

Family: Bifidobacteriaceae

Genus: Gardnerella

Species: Gardnerella vaginalis

NCBI ID

2702

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/900/637/625/GCA_900637625.1_52295_C01

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_900637625.1_52295_C01_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Gardnerella vaginalis is primarily known for its association with bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common condition affecting women's reproductive health. It is considered a key player in the disruption of the normal vaginal flora, leading to an imbalance characterized by a decrease in lactobacilli and an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. This shift can result in symptoms such as vaginal discharge, odor, and irritation, although many women may remain asymptomatic. In terms of pathogenicity, G. vaginalis is not classified as a traditional pathogen but is implicated in various infections and complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV and chlamydia. The presence of G. vaginalis in the vaginal microbiome has also been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and miscarriage. Regarding antimicrobial resistance, G. vaginalis has shown some capacity to resist certain antibiotics, complicating treatment options for BV. This resistance can lead to recurrent infections, necessitating a more comprehensive approach to management, including the use of probiotics to restore normal flora. In terms of immune evasion, G. vaginalis can modulate the host's immune response, potentially leading to chronic inflammation and altering the local immune environment. This ability to evade the immune system may contribute to its persistence in the vaginal microbiome. Overall, Gardnerella vaginalis plays a significant role in women's health, particularly concerning vaginal microbiota balance, infections, and the implications for reproductive health. Understanding its clinical relevance is crucial for developing effective treatment and prevention strategies.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

Gardnerella vaginalis is primarily associated with the human vaginal microbiome, where it plays a significant role in maintaining the balance of microbial communities. This organism is often found in environments characterized by a slightly acidic pH and a high moisture content, which are conducive to its growth and proliferation. In the context of the vaginal ecosystem, G. vaginalis is known for its role in the development of bacterial vaginosis (BV) when it overgrows, leading to a disruption of the normal flora. This condition is marked by a decrease in lactobacilli and an increase in anaerobic bacteria, which can result in various symptoms and health implications. The interactions of G. vaginalis with other microorganisms in the vagina are crucial; it can engage in competitive interactions with beneficial bacteria, influencing the overall microbial diversity and health of the vaginal environment. Furthermore, G. vaginalis has been observed to exhibit biofilm formation, which enhances its survival and persistence in the vaginal niche. This ability to form biofilms can also contribute to its resistance against antimicrobial treatments, making it a notable player in the dynamics of vaginal health. Overall, the ecological niche of Gardnerella vaginalis is intricately linked to the human reproductive system, where it exemplifies the delicate balance of microbial life and its implications for health and disease.

Industrial Application

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Gardnerella vaginalis is primarily known for its role in human health, particularly in the context of bacterial vaginosis. However, its potential industrial applications are emerging, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. In biotechnology, Gardnerella vaginalis has been studied for its ability to produce specific enzymes that can be harnessed in various industrial processes. For instance, its enzymatic activity can be utilized in biodegradation processes, where it may help in breaking down complex organic materials, thus contributing to waste management solutions. This capability is particularly valuable in the treatment of organic waste, where the breakdown of pollutants can lead to more sustainable waste disposal methods. Moreover, in the realm of pharmaceutical development, Gardnerella vaginalis is being investigated for its potential role in the production of bioactive compounds. These compounds could have therapeutic applications, particularly in the development of treatments for conditions related to microbial imbalances. The organism's metabolic pathways may be exploited to synthesize novel drugs or enhance the efficacy of existing treatments. While the primary focus of research on Gardnerella vaginalis has been on its implications for human health, its enzymatic capabilities and metabolic processes suggest that it holds promise for future applications in enzyme production and biodegradation, making it a microorganism of interest in various industrial sectors.

Phenotypes and Predictions

The table shows the phenotypes and predictions. Cell colors indicate the class of the value. When literature-based data is available, a checkmark (✓) indicates a correct prediction, while an ✗ indicates an incorrect prediction.

Literature-based phenotypes: 9

LLM predicted phenotypes: 4

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	google/gemini-flash-1.5	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	google/gemma-7b-it	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	google/gemini-pro	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	openchat/openchat-7b	openchat/openchat-7b
Motility	N/A	false	false	false	false	true	false	false	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false
Gram staining	gram stain positive	gram stain variable ✗	gram stain variable ✗	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain variable ✗	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain variable ✗	N/A	gram stain variable ✗	N/A	gram stain variable ✗	N/A	gram stain variable ✗	N/A	gram stain negative ✗	N/A	gram stain variable ✗	N/A	gram stain variable ✗	N/A	gram stain variable ✗	N/A	gram stain negative ✗	N/A	gram stain variable ✗
Aerophilicity	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	N/A	N/A	anaerobic	anaerobic	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	N/A	false	false	false	false	true	false	false	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false
Biofilm formation	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓
Animal pathogenicity	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓
Biosafety level	biosafety level 2	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓
Health association	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Host association	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓
Plant pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Hemolysis	beta	beta ✓	gamma ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	beta ✓	beta ✓	beta ✓	beta ✓	N/A	N/A	alpha ✗	alpha ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	bacillus	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	coccus ✗

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