The human vagina: normal flora considered as an in situ tissue-associated, adherent biofilm.

Abstract

The normal flora of the female genitalia features both avidly and loosely tissue-adherent bacterial biofilm populations whose adherence can be influenced partly by their location. Our scraping/washing method can contribute to further characterisation of this phenomenon. The superior adherence of anaerobic lactobacilli may reflect a potential in maintaining or restoring normality.