Bacteria are microscopic living organisms that are ubiquitous. They live on all household items, live in water and air, and are also found in humans and animals. Bacteria can be of three types. The former live permanently in the body and do no harm to it. The second - conditionally pathogenic bacteria - also live inside us all the time. Their difference is that with various endo- and exogenous factors (for example, decreased immunity, hypothermia, the presence of chronic foci of infection), they begin to multiply intensely and cause harm to the body, causing various diseases. The third group includes pathogenic bacteria, they penetrate from the outside and always bring with them some kind of infection.
What are lactobacilli?
Lactobacilli belong to the body's natural microflora. They are necessary to ensure normal metabolism, so they are inside us constantly. The habitat of lactobacilli is the entire digestive tract, as well as the external genitalia in women. These microorganisms can take a different form, most often they occur in the form of sticks. Lactobacilli belong to Gram (+) and anaerobic bacteria, they are unable to form spores. These microorganisms belong to the group of lactic acid bacilli, due to their ability to process lactose and other carbohydrates. In the process of their metabolism, they secrete lysozyme - a disinfecting substance, hydrogen peroxide and other metabolic products with antibiotic activity. Their main property is the formation of lactic acid, which prevents the development and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.
Lactobacillus spp habitat
Lactobacilli in large numbers live on the mucous membrane of internal organs. They are distributed throughout the digestive tract, starting with the oral cavity. Next, Lactobacillus spp passes to the mucous membrane of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach and intestines. The place of their greatest accumulation is the final section of the digestive tract. This is due to the fact that in the large intestine there are special cells - enterocytes, the interaction with which ensures the repair of the mucous membrane, the formation of the body's defenses through the formation of lysozyme and special immunocompetent cells (cytokines). Another habitat for Lactobacillus spp is the vulva and vagina. The presence of lactobacilli on the external genitalia in women is necessary to protect the mucous membrane from pathogenic factors and provide an obstacle for the infection to get inside.
Lactobacillus spp: normal in women
In the female body, lactobacilli are in greater numbers compared with the biocenosis in men. Since the genitals of girls are open gates for various infectious agents, the presence of Lactobacillus spp. The norm for women is - 10 6 - 10 9 CFU / ml. If these indicators are found in smears from the vulva, vagina and urethra, then this is not a cause for concern. These bacteria are present in women of all ages, but their greatest number is observed in young girls who have not started sexual activity. Previously, in the smear from the vagina, only the total number of sour-milk microorganisms was determined for the degree of purity and called them Dederlein sticks. With the development of modern medical technologies, it became possible to isolate each type of bacteria, it turned out that a significant number of them is Lactobacillus spp. The norm for women who have sex is slightly lower than for girls. However, it should not be lower than 10 6 CFU / ml.
Change in the number of lactobacilli
Lactobacilli, like other microorganisms, have a certain amount, which is considered normal. In each section of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, this value is different. For example, the content of lactobacilli in the gastric juice is only 10 2 â10 3 CFU / ml, while the colon contains 10 6 â10 7 CFU / ml Lactobacillus spp. The norm of these microorganisms in the vagina is the highest, compared with other mucous membranes. Therefore, when lactobacilli are detected in the body, it is necessary to accurately know their quantitative indicators for each department. Normoflora Lactobacillus spp - the norm for a healthy person. A change in the number of lactobacilli in any part of the body indicates a pathological condition.
Why does the number of lactobacilli change?
If the indicators of Lactobacillus spp are beyond the norm or do not reach them, then it is necessary to find out the cause of this condition. Typically, an increase in the number of lactic acid bacteria on the vaginal mucosa is associated with dysbiosis, which develops with the irrational use of antibiotics. In addition, it can be observed with the constant use of kefir, citrus fruits, vinegar, etc. In this case, their number will recover after the acidity of the products decreases. A decrease in lactobacilli in the intestine is also associated with dysbiosis. When lowering them in the vagina and urethra, you should think about the presence of an infectious process in the genitals.
Diagnostic methods for lactobacilli
If you suspect a change in the number of lactobacilli, be sure to consult a doctor. Modern diagnostic methods will quickly establish the qualitative and quantitative composition of microorganisms. In gynecology, the material for the study is smears taken from the mucous membrane of the urethra, vulva and vagina. First, they undergo microscopic examination, and when the number of Dederlein sticks changes , more accurate diagnostic methods are performed. A method that allows you to quickly and accurately determine the presence of bacteria is PCR. It is based on the isolation of its DNA from a microorganism. Lactobacillus spp, like other components of the genital microbiocenosis, is determined with 100% accuracy.
The use of lactobacilli
Lactobacilli are used in several industries, as well as in medicine and pharmaceuticals. Like bifidobacteria, these microorganisms contain special strains - probiotics - substances used to maintain the normal quantitative composition of bacteria. They are used for long-term use of antibacterial drugs, and also added to the composition of vitamin complexes to strengthen the immune system. Lactobacillus spp - what is it? Since lactobacilli are natural microorganisms, they can be safely used for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the digestive tract, as well as inflammatory processes in the female genital organs.
Lactobacillus in the food industry
Due to malnutrition and the wide spread of dysbiosis, most people suffer from digestive problems. For this reason, lactobacilli began to be used in the manufacture of dairy products, which are not only useful for the body, but also help the intestines to work faster. In addition, in the food industry they are used for salting vegetables, cooking salads, pickled products, brines. Some use lactobacilli in agriculture to harvest feed. In this case, their benefit lies in the silage fermentation, which contributes to long-term storage and the absence of mold formation. Lactobacilli are necessary in many areas of human activity, as they protect our body from pathogenic effects.