An Unhealthy Vaginal Microbiome Can Increase Risk of HIV Infection

The presence of certain bacteria can indicate whether the vaginal tract is healthy or not. It could also impact the likelihood of acquiring certain sexually transmitted diseases, like HIV, a new study suggests. Lactobacillus is the type of bacteria found most commonly and most abundantly in the vaginal tract of pre-menopausal women in the US. It has been shown to provide protection against pathogenic organisms by producing lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocin. These compounds can prevent disease-causing bacteria from sticking to epithelia cells, slow their growth, or even kill them... more

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