DNase inhibits Gardnerella vaginalis biofilms in vitro and in vivo

J Infect Dis. 2013 May 15;207(10):1491-7. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jit047. Epub 2013 Feb 19.

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis is a highly prevalent and poorly understood polymicrobial disorder of the vaginal microbiota, with significant adverse sequelae. Gardnerella vaginalis predominates in bacterial vaginosis. Biofilms of G. vaginalis are present in human infections and are implicated in persistent disease, treatment failure, and transmission. Here we demonstrate that G. vaginalis biofilms contain extracellular DNA, which is essential to their structural integrity. Enzymatic disruption of this DNA specifically inhibits biofilms, acting on both newly forming and established biofilms. DNase liberates bacteria from the biofilm to supernatant fractions and potentiates the activity of metronidazole, an antimicrobial agent used in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Using a new murine vaginal colonization model for G. vaginalis, we demonstrate >10-fold inhibition of G. vaginalis colonization by DNase. We conclude that DNase merits investigation as a potential nonantibiotic adjunct to existing bacterial vaginosis therapies in order to decrease the risk of chronic infection, recurrence, and associated morbidities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Deoxyribonucleases / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gardnerella vaginalis / drug effects
  • Gardnerella vaginalis / physiology*
  • Metagenome
  • Metronidazole / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Vagina / microbiology
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / drug therapy*
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / prevention & control

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Metronidazole
  • Deoxyribonucleases