Dequalinium Chloride Effectively Disrupts Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Spp. Biofilms

Overview

Journal Pathogens

Date 2021 Mar 6

PMID 33668706

Citations 8

Authors

Carlos Gaspar

Joana Rolo

Nuno Cerca

Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira

Jose Martinez-de-Oliveira

Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most frequent vaginal infection worldwide. It is caused by the overgrowth of anaerobic vaginal pathogens such as spp. BV has been associated with the occurrence of dense multispecies biofilms on the vaginal mucosa. Treatment of biofilm-associated infections such as BV is challenging. In this study, we have tested the role of a quaternary ammonium compound, dequalinium chloride (DQC), in the eradication of spp. biofilms. The effects of the test substance on the biomass and the metabolic activity of the biofilm of spp. were assessed in vitro using a microtiter plate assay. In addition, the effect of DQC on the spp. biofilm was further assessed by using scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that DQC was particularly effective in the destruction of BV-associated spp. biotypes, impacting both their biomass and metabolic activity. In addition, the disruption of biofilm architecture was evident and was probably caused by multiple mechanisms of action. We conclude that DQC is an antibiofilm agent and is able to efficiently destroy spp. BV-associated biofilms. Therefore, it is a valid option for BV therapy and has the potential to prevent BV recurrences.

Citing Articles

Efficacy of Dequalinium Chloride vs Metronidazole for the Treatment of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

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Antibiofilm Agents for the Treatment and Prevention of Bacterial Vaginosis: A Systematic Narrative Review.

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Bacterial Vaginosis: Guideline of the DGGG, OEGGG and SGGG (S2k-Level, AWMF Registry No. 015/028, June 2023).

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