BACKGROUND Bacterial vaginosis is the commonest cause of abnormal vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age and is associated with serious pregnancy related sequelae and increased transmission of sexually transmissible infections, including HIV. The aetiology, pathology, microbiology and transmission of bacterial vaginosis remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE This article discusses the pr...

An area-sampling device for obtaining quantitative samples of the oropharyngeal bacterial flora is described and illustrative data are presented.

Chewing gum producing companies have claimed publicly that their product helps fight oral diseases. But, these companies have not publicly shown what effect their product has on the oral flora. Specifically they do not mention the effect on Streptococcus mutans, bacteria known to cause some oral diseases. This study was an in vitro study on the effects of the chewing gums Trident® and Orbit® on...

The Mongolian gerbil is being increasingly used as a laboratory animal and as a pet. Both chinchillas and gerbils are used as animal models for otitis media and other otic research. Previously, only incomplete information was available regarding the indigenous bacterial flora of the lower intestinal tracts of these coprophagic animals. Using the strict anaerobic methodology of the Virginia Poly...

Background Waterpipe smoking is a global health problem and a serious public concern. Little is known about the effects of waterpipe smoking on oral health. In the current study, we examined the alterations of oral microbial flora by waterpipe smoking. Methods One hundred adult healthy subjects (59 waterpipe smokers and 41 non-smokers) were recruited into the study. Swabs were taken from the ...

The gastrointestinal tract has various functions including digestion, the production of hormones with local and systemic effects, a major role in immunological function, and acting as a barrier against antigens within its lumen. The intestinal microflora is an ecosystem which harbours over 400 bacterial species, predominantly anaerobes which outnumber facultative anaerobes. Most flora is presen...