%0 Journal Article
%T Detection of Fastidious Vaginal Bacteria in Women with HIV Infection and Bacterial Vaginosis
%A Caroline Mitchell
%A Carla Moreira
%A David Fredricks
%A Kathleen Paul
%A Angela M. Caliendo
%A Jaclynn Kurpewski
%A Jessica Ingersoll
%A Susan Cu-Uvin
%J Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology
%D 2009
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2009/236919
%X Background. Fastidious bacteria have been associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) using PCR methods. We assessed the prevalence of these bacteria in HIV-1 infected women and their relationship with vaginal pH and shedding of HIV-1 RNA. Methods. 64 cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) samples were collected from 51 women. Vaginal microbiota were characterized using 8 bacterium-specific quantitative PCR assays. Results. Women with the fastidious bacteria Bacterial Vaginosis Associated Bacterium (BVAB) 1, 2, and 3 showed a trend to increased HIV-1 shedding (OR 2.59–3.07, =.14–.17). Absence of Lactobacillus crispatus (<.005) and presence of BVAB2 (<.001) were associated with elevated vaginal pH. BVAB1, 2, and 3 were highly specific indicators of BV in HIV-infected women, with specificities of 89%–93%. Conclusions. Fastidious bacteria (BVAB 1, 2, and 3) remain specific indicators of BV in HIV-infected women, and BVAB2 may contribute to the elevated vaginal pH that is a hallmark of this syndrome.
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/idog/2009/236919/