Which Lactobacilli Species Produce Hydrogen Peroxide?

The speciation of lactobacilli has become clinically relevant to our understanding of potential benefits of lactobacillus species in the vagina. L. acidophilus has traditionally been assumed to be the main lactobacillus species in normal vaginal flora and has therefore also been assumed to be a hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-producing species. Interestingly, H₂O₂-producing species of lactobacilli are associated with a decreased prevalence of gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, and HIV infection. These investigators evaluated types of vaginal lactobacilli, production of H₂O₂, and associations between these factors and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in a cross-sectional sample of women from 3 Seattle clinics.

Lactobacilli were identified in 215 (7…