How Temp & pH Influence Vaginal Biofilm Formation

The human vagina has an average temperature of about 37.5 °C (99.5 °F) and a healthy pH range of between 3.8 and 4.5.

A study looked at biofilm formation of a few different bacteria at 30°C and 37°C, and a pH of 5.5, 7.5 and 8.5.

Findings of the study

Bacterial strains studied were

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Vibrio cholerae

These bacteria are known to cause i) general infections in humans including skin and ear infections, ii) pneumonia, and iii) cholera. These bacteria are known to produce biofilms.

The impact of temperature on biofilm production

A decrease in biofilm production was observed at 37°C in eight of the tested strains, compared to production at 30°C. Biofilm production still existed at both temperatures. At normal human vaginal temperatures, biofilm activity exists.

Five of the strains tested had increased biofilm activity at 37°C compared to at 30°C.

The impact of pH on biofilm production

The increases in biofilm formation from a pH of 5.5 were sometimes up to 300 per cent. Increased pH (more alkaline) lead to higher biofilm production.

The results are clear – alkaline pH encourages biofilm formation.

References

Temperature and pH affect the production of bacterial biofilm, Folia Microbiologica, 2010, Volume 55, Number 1, Page 75, A. Hoštacká, I. Čižnár, M. Štefkovičová