GARDNERELLA
SPECIES
Gardnerella vaginalisMICROSCOPIC APPEARANCE
Gram Stain: | Negative to variable. Not acid-fast. |
Morphology: | Usually pleomorphic rods. |
Size: | 0.5 micrometers in diameter by 1.5-2.5 micrometers in length. |
Motility: | Non-motile. |
Capsules: | None. |
Spores: | None. |
Other: | The cell walls are laminated. |
MACROSCOPIC APPEARANCE
Small (1mm), beta-hemolytic colonies on media containing human blood. Colonies appear either opaque, dull white, convex, domed, or somewhat conical in shape. G. vaginalis is non-hemolytic on media containing sheep blood.
KEY BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
- Catalase-negative.
- Oxidase-negative.
- Most stains are fastidious in growth requirements.
- Hippurate hydrolyzed.
- Metranidazole-sensitive.
- Diffuse beta-hemolysis on media containing human blood.
- Sodium-polyanetholsulfate (SPS)-sensitive.
METABOLIC PROPERTIES
Both obligately aerobic, and facultatively anaerobic; Chemoorganotrophic, having fermentative type of metabolism. Produces acid but not gas from glucose and other carbohydrates including maltose and starch.
HABITAT
G. vaginalis is isolated form the human genital/urinary tract and appears to have a worldwide distribution.
PATHOGENICITY
G. vaginalis is believed to be a contributing cause of bacterial "non-specific" vaginitis. It has also occasionally been reported to cause bacteremia in postpartum women and in patients following septic abortion and transurethral resection of the prostate.
RECOMMENDED MEDIA
For culture: | Chocolate Agar, Columbia Blood Agar, V Agar. |
For selective isolation: | V Agar with CNA. |
For maintenance: |
Brucella Broth with 20% Glycerol or Skim Milk for long-term storage at
-70 degrees C. |
INCUBATION
Temperature: | 35-37 degrees C. |
Time: | 48 hours. |
Atmosphere: | Aerobic with increased CO 2 (5-10%). |
REFERENCES
1. Holt, J.G., et al. 1994. Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology , 9th ed. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.
2. Holt, J.G., et al. 1986. Bergey's Manual of Systemic Bacteriology , Vol. I & II. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.
3. The Oxoid Vade-Mecum of Microbiology . 1993. Unipath Ltd., Basingstoke, UK.
4. Murray, P.R., et al. 1995. Manual of Clinical Microbiology , 6th ed. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C.
5. Internet: www.hardlink.com /Bacterial Database Search, February, 1998.
6. Hensyl, B.R., et al. 1990. Stedman's Medical Dictionary , 25th ed. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.
7. Koneman, et al. 1997. Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology , 5th ed. Lippincott, Philadelphia, PA.
IFU-10445[A]