Lactobacillus crispatus

Lactobacillus crispatus is an aerotolerant, gram-positive, catalase-negative, non-spore forming, rod shaped, lactic acid producing bacteria. It is host adapted and commonly found in the vagina and in the vertebrate gastrointestinal tract and is thought to be beneficial to health.

Some strains are commercially available as a probiotic that can be used by women to maintain a healthy vaginal microbiota. Another strain, CTV-05 is being evaluated specifically for the prevention and treatment of bacterial vaginosis, which is characterized by overgrowth of other bacteria, potentially as a result of the absence of Lactobacillus flora that can serve to protect the host from infection.