Peroxidase, H2O2, and a halide form a powerful antimicrobial system in phagocytes and tissue fluids, and certain microorganisms can serve as the source of H2O2 for this system. H2O2-generating Lactobacillus acidophilus (LB+) is present in the vagina of most normal women and peroxidase has been detected in vaginal fluid. LB+ at high concentration is viricidal to HIV-1, and, at levels where LB+ is ineffective alone, the addition of peroxidase (myeloperoxidase, eosinophil peroxidase) and a halide (chloride, iodide, bromide, thiocyanate) restore viricidal activity. LB+ can be replaced by H2O2, but not by non-H2O2-producing LB, and viricidal activity is inhibited by azide and catalase. The survival of HIV in the female genital tract and thus the likelihood of transmission may be influenced by the activity of the LB(+)-peroxidase-halide system in the vagina.
Article|
July 01 1991
Viricidal effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus on human immunodeficiency virus type 1: possible role in heterosexual transmission.
S J Klebanoff,
S J Klebanoff
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
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R W Coombs
R W Coombs
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Search for other works by this author on:
S J Klebanoff
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
R W Coombs
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Online ISSN: 1540-9538
Print ISSN: 0022-1007
J Exp Med (1991) 174 (1): 289–292.
Citation
S J Klebanoff, R W Coombs; Viricidal effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus on human immunodeficiency virus type 1: possible role in heterosexual transmission.. J Exp Med 1 July 1991; 174 (1): 289–292. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.174.1.289
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