EFFECTS OF CETYLTRIMETHYLAMMONIUM NAPROXENATE ON THE ADHERENCE OF GARDNERELLA-VAGINALIS, MOBILUNCUS-CURTISII, AND LACTOBACILLUS-ACIDOPHILUSTO VAGINAL EPITHELIAL-CELLS

Background and Objectives: A decreased concentration or total disappea rance of Lactobacillus acidophilus in the vagina constitutes a frequen t observation in bacterial vaginosis. Goal of the Study: Cetyltrimethy lammonium naproxenate has been evaluated in vitro to detect antiadhesi ve properties at subinhibitory concentrations for Gardnerella vaginali s and Mobiluncus curtisii to vaginal epithelial cells (VEC). Study Des ign: Bacterial strains C-14- and or H-3-labeled were tested for adhere nce and competition to binding sites in VECs before and after treatmen t at sub-MIC with cetylbimethylammonium naproxenate. Results: In contr ol tests of adherence, G. vaginalis and M. curtisii had their maximal adhesion at pH 5.4, L. acidophilus at pH 4.4. Preincubation of G. vagi nalis and M. curtisii with cetyltrimethylammonium naproxenate 2.5 mg/m L (subinhibitory concentration) at pH 5.4 reduced adherence to VECs re spectively by 48.3% and 34.1%. The same treatment of L. acidophilus sh owed no statistically significant difference. Treatment of VECs alone did not modify adherence. Competition tests between L. acidophilus and G. vaginalis and between L. acidophilus and M. curtisii showed that, in small quantities, L. acidophilus could compete with G. vaginalis an d M. curtisii for binding sites in VECs at pH 4.4, when pretreated wit h cetyltrimethylammonium naproxenate. At a higher pH (4.8 and 5.4), L. acidophilus in higher quantities did not compete for binding sites oc cupied by G. vaginalis and M. curtisii. Conclusions: Cetyltrimethylamm onium naproxenate at subinhibitory concentrations modifies the adhesiv eness of G. vaginalis and M. curtisii to VECs, reducing it by 48.3% an d 34.1%, respectively. Adhesion of L. acidophilus to VECs is not impai red by pretreatment with cetyltrimethylammonium naproxenate at pH 4.4, even if they are in low number and compete for binding sites against pathogens. At higher pH levels, L. acidophilus did not compete for bin ding sites occupied by G. vaginalis and M. curtisii.