The Human Vaginal Bacterial Biota and Bacterial Vaginosis

Figure 1

Competing models for the pathogenesis of BV. At least 2 models exist to explain the pathogenesis of BV. The lactobacillus depletion model suggests that there is a decrease in hydrogen peroxide producing lactobacilli as the primary event that allows for the overgrowth of facultative anaerobes resulting in BV. The primary pathogen model suggests that the entry of facultative anaerobes causes the displacement of lactobacilli thereby resulting in BV.