Identifying probiotic characteristics of Lactobacillus crispatus isolated from the vagina

Lactobacilli prevent overproduction of pathogenic microorganisms and contribute protecting vaginal microbiota. Many probiotic microorganisms are categorized as Lactic Acid Bacteria. In this study, it was aimed identifying probiotic characteristics of Lactobacillus crispatus isolated from the vagina of a healthy woman. For this purpose, lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and proteolytic activity quantities and auto-aggregation, co-aggregation and hydrophobicity abilities of Lactobacillus crispatus, which has been isolated and identified by 16s rRNA sequence analysis, were determined. Additionally, bile salt and acid resistance, along with antibiotic susceptibility of Lactobacillus crispatus were analyzed by the end of 3 hours. Lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide and proteolytic activity quantities of Lactobacillus crispatus were measured 2.275%, 0.334±0.075 µg/mL and 2.131±0,000 mg/mL respectively. The findings include existence of co-aggregation and auto-aggregation ability, but not hydrophobicity. By the end of 3 hours, the viability was preserved in 0.1% and 0.3% bile salt medium and, at pH 3. L. crispatus exhibited resistance to methicillin, metronidazole, oxacillin, and sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim, but the bacteria exhibited susceptibility to tested the other antibiotics. This study will make an important contribution to the literature about probiotic characteristics of L. crispatus and our strain isolated from the vagina might be considered as a candidate probiotic.