Gardnerella Revisited: Species Heterogeneity, Virulence Factors, Mucosal Immune Responses, and Contributions to Bacterial Vaginosis

Abstract

Gardnerella species are associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and have been investigated as etiological agents of the condition. Nonetheless, the isolation of this taxon from healthy individuals has raised important questions regarding its etiological role. Recently, using advanced molecular approaches, the Gardnerella genus was expanded to include several different species that exhibit differences in virulence potential. Understanding the significance of these different species with respect to mucosal immunity and the pathogenesis and complications of BV could be crucial to solving the BV enigma. Here, we review key findings regarding the unique genetic and phenotypic diversity within this genus, virulence factors, and effects on mucosal immunity as they stand. We also comment on the relevance of these findings to the proposed role of Gardnerella in BV pathogenesis and in reproductive health and identify key gaps in knowledge that should be explored in the future.

Keywords: Gardnerella; bacterial vaginosis; biofilms; chemokines; cytokines; dendritic cells; female reproductive tract; mucosal immunity; sialidase; vaginal microbiome; vaginolysin.

FIG 1

Key gaps in knowledge with respect to Gardnerella heterogeneity and contributions to the vaginal microbiome and to BV pathogenesis.