Overview

• Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have made a breakthrough in understanding bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common vaginal condition in women aged 15 to 44.
• The study found that in BV, bacteria release enzymes called sialidases that partially subdue the protective sugar chains, or glycans, that cover the cells lining the vagina.
• The researchers were able to artificially induce some of the symptoms of BV in unaffected cells by treating them with carbohydrate-degrading enzymes produced in the lab.
• Levels of these enzymes were found to be higher in the vaginal fluid of women with BV compared to those without the condition.
• Further research is needed, but these findings could potentially make diagnosing BV easier and provide a better understanding of the condition's impact on vaginal health.