Vaginal flora

The first is glycosaminoglycan, a compound produced by the body that coats the epithelial cells of the bladder. This compound essentially separates the bladder from the urine by forming a protective layer against bacterial adhesion.14 A second compound known as Tamm-Horsfall protein is secreted into the urine, and prevents E. coli from binding to receptors present on the surface of the bladder. Other factors implicated in contributing to host defense mechanisms include immunoglobulins, specifically IgA, and lactobacilli, bacteria that are part of the normal vaginal flora.13,15... 

Altered vaginal flora allowing overgrowth of Candida organisms risk increases with duration of antibiotic use... 

Culture of lochia is of limited value in order to streamline these therapies, as specimens will be contaminated with vaginal flora. 

Cervical dilator. Isaptent, prepared from granulated Plantago ovata seed husk, administered as a cervical dilator to 804 women between 15 and 45 years of age, achieved satisfactory dilatation in 94% of the cases. The cervical dilatation bore no relationship to age, parity, and gestation period of the subjects. There was no apparent damage to the cervix, and the vaginal flora remained unchanged in the randomly selected subjects . 

Major constituent of normal vaginal flora, facultative or anaerobic gram-positive rods increased numbers during pregnancy, during ovulation, at menopause, and during steroid treatment... 

Hillier, S.L., et al. 1993. The normal vaginal flora, H202-producing lactobacilli, and bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women. Clin Infect Dis 16 (Suppl. 4) S273. 

Priestley, C.J.F., B.M. Jones, and L. Goodwin. 1997. What is normal vaginal flora Genitourin... 

While the spermicide-containing reusable diaphragms currently on the market are relatively effective when used in combination with a spermicidal formulation, they require careful fitting, insertion and maintenance. Moreover, adverse reactions, such as urinary tract infections, alterations in vaginal flora and occurrence of toxic shock syndrome, have been associated with their use. In contrast the silicone-based device described above has been reported to be stable, non-irritating and non-toxic. 

Vaginal tablets containing lactobacilli have been used in order to restore the normal vaginal flora. Formulation of these delivery systems requires specific proceedings in order to provide viability of lactobacilli and stability of the final product. Freeze drying of bacterial suspensions has been tested to obtain lyophilized powders for tablet production [81]. These powders were shown to be processable and tablet production was easy and reproducible. Also, the use of double-layer tablets (fast-release layer and slow-release layer) seems to be an interesting approach to lactobacilli administration. 

Boag, F. Houang, E. Westrom, R. McCormack, S. Lawrence, A. Comparison of vaginal flora after treatment with a clotrimazole 500 mg vaginal pessary or a fluconazole 150 mg capsule for vaginal candidosis. Genitourinary Med. 1991, 67, 232-234. 

Vermeulen GM, van Zwet AA, Bruinse HW. Changes in the vaginal flora after two percent clindamycin vaginal cream in women at high risk of spontaneous preterm birth. BJOG 2001 108(7) 697-700. 

Larsen B. Vaginal flora in health and disease. Clin Obstet Gynecol 1993 36 107-121. 

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