Jung, Hyun-SulEhlers, Marthie MagdaleenLombaard, HennieRedelinghuys, Mathys J.Kock, Marleen M.2017-09-192017Jung, H.S., Ehlers, M.M., Lombaard, H., Redelinghuys, M.J. & Kock, M.M. 2017, 'Etiology of bacterial vaginosis and polymicrobial biofilm formation', Critical Reviews in Microbiology, vol. 43, no. 6, pp. 651-667.1040-841X (print)1549-7828 (online)10.1080/1040841X.2017.1291579http://hdl.handle.net/2263/62287Microorganisms in nature rarely exist in a planktonic form, but in the form of biofilms. Biofilms have been identified as the cause of many chronic and persistent infections and have been implicated in the etiology of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Bacterial vaginosis is the most common form of vaginal infection in women of reproductive age. Similar to other biofilm infections, BV biofilms protect the BV-related bacteria against antibiotics and cause recurrent BV. In this review, an overview of BV-related bacteria, conceptual models and the stages involved in the polymicrobial BV biofilm formation will be discussed.en© 2017 Taylor & Francis. This is an electronic version of an article published in Critical Reviews in Microbiology, vol. 43, no. 6, pp. 651-667, 2017. doi : 10.1080/1040841X.2017.1291579. Critical Reviews in Microbiology is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/imby20.BiofilmPathogenesisGardnerella vaginalisBacterial vaginosis (BV)Bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria (BVAB)Vaginal epithelial cellsInnate immune responsePeroxide-producing lactobacilliSmplex virus 2 (HSV-2)Genital tractVolatile fatty acidsAtopobium vaginaeUreaplasma urealyticumPostprint Article