Characterization of Vaginal Lactobacilli with Potential Probiotic Properties Isolated from Healthy Women in Northern Iran.

Vaginal lactobacilli protect against bacterial vaginosis and vaginal candidiasis. They may have probiotic properties and help maintain the balance and health of the vaginal ecosystem while the loss of these bacteria predisposes females to urinary and genital infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the probiotic potential of vaginal among healthy females in northern Iran. The strains were isolated from vaginal samples and were identified by sequencing of the fragment. Functional properties such as tolerance to low pH, HO production, adherence ability to Hela cells and antagonistic activity against was examined. A total of 38 vaginal lactobacilli strains from five species including (n = 13), (n = 10), (n = 6), (n = 5) and (n = 4), were identified. All of the species showed significant tolerance to low pH over 24 h ( < 0.001). The best adherence ability to Hela cells was seen in strains. Nearly 17 of the strains had higher anti- activity compared to the other strains. According to the findings, four lactobacilli strains isolated in the vaginal samples of healthy Iranian women had the best probiotic potential.