From the Guidelines
Prevotella bivia is an anaerobic bacteria.
Characteristics of Prevotella bivia
- It is one of the bacteria that can be found in high concentrations in the vagina of women with Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) 1
- BV is a clinical syndrome resulting from the replacement of the normal H2O2-producing Lactobacillus sp. in the vagina with high concentrations of anaerobic bacteria, such as Prevotella sp. and Mobiluncus sp. 1
- The cause of the microbial alteration is not fully understood, but BV is associated with having multiple sex partners, douching, and lack of vaginal lactobacilli 1
- Prevotella bivia is often found in conjunction with other bacteria, such as G. vaginalis, and Mycoplasma hominis, in women with BV 1
From the Research
Characteristics of Prevotella bivia
- Prevotella bivia is a gram-negative anaerobic bacteria that resides in the flora of the female genital tract 2
- It is commonly associated with obstetric and gynecologic infections, as well as bacterial vaginosis 3, 4
- P. bivia can also be found in other human body sites and is associated with various infections, including septic arthritis and inguinal syndrome 3, 5
Pathogenicity and Infections
- P. bivia has been shown to increase its pathogenicity when mixed with aerobic bacteria, and its growth is enhanced by estrogen 2
- The bacteria can cause infections such as pyometra, septic arthritis, and inguinal syndrome, often requiring prompt treatment with antibiotics and drainage of the affected area 2, 3, 5
Detection and Genomics
- A peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe has been developed to specifically detect P. bivia, and a multiplex approach can be used to detect multiple species associated with bacterial vaginosis 4
- The complete genome of P. bivia has been assembled, providing insights into its phylogeny, pathogenicity, and antibiotic resistance, including the presence of genes encoding antibiotic resistance and virulence factors 6