Adherence of Lactobacillus plantarum P 17630 in soft-gel capsule formulation versus Döderlein's bacillus in tablet formulation to vaginal epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate in vitro the adherence capability of two bacteria to vaginal epithelial cells (VEC) by comparing product A containing L. plantarum P 17630, in soft-gel capsule formulation* and product B containing Döderlein's bacillus, now classified as L. gasseri, in vaginal tablet formulation, marketed for many years in Italy. METHODS: The comparative study of two commercially available preparations followed an open, controlled trial. Collection of VEC samples was done in an ambulatory setting; the adherence tests were carried out at the Institute of Microbiology of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza. The study was made on intact VEC, washed and drawn from 20 patients affected by bacterial vaginitis and/or vaginosis. One capsule or tablet, suspended in physiological solution, was mixed with a suspension of VEC. Adherence of lactobacilli to the VEC was counted by light microscopy and by CFU cultured on the plates. The type of adhesion was evaluated as well. RESULTS: The mean number of lactobacilli adhering to individual VEC was higher for product A containing L. plantarum P 17630. On the plate cultures, 10(6)-10(8) CFU/sample were found for product A, compared with 10(2)-10(4) CFU/sample for product B. L. plantarum P-17630 adhere prevalently to single cells, whereas L. gasseri adhere by forming small chains. CONCLUSIONS: Product A has a better capability of adherence to VEC than does product B. Even the type of adhesion of L. plantarum P 17630 enabled it to remain better attached to the VEC. The results suggest that in vivo product A may be more likely to provide better colonization, thus affording better protection of the vaginal milieu.

The haemoproteids of the Threskiornithidae family: first record and description of Haemoproteus from Plegadis falcinellus L.

A description is given of a hemoproteid parasite tentatively referred to Haemoproteus plataleae occurring in a Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (L.) captured in Apulia (Italy) April 29, 1991. It is compared with other haemoproteids of the avian Threskiornithidae family.