Antibacterial Activity of Weissella confusa Isolated From Vaginal Swab of Indian Women

Abstract

Weissella confusa, a lactic acid producing bacteria (LAB), is known to occur in the human samples of breast milk, vaginal fluids, saliva and faeces. The species is known to be a probiotic microorganism due to its ability to control the growth of the pathogenic microbes capable of causing food borne diseases. The isolate reported in this study showed high antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis (MTCC 736), Escherichia coli (MTCC 9492), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 3541), Proteus mirabilis (MTCC 425), Proteus vulgeris (MTCC 771) and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 3160). Additionally, the isolated microbe was resistant to many of the commonly used antibiotics and hence can be used to develop formulations. Thus, the isolated organism may be explored as a probiotic candidate by local administration via suppositories for the prevention and treatment of vaginal infections.