Light micrograph of a vaginal smear showing the rod shaped bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, that forms the predominant flora in the vagina of the s

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Light micrograph of a vaginal smear showing the rod shaped bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, that forms the predominant flora in the vagina of the sexually mature human female. These bacteria ferment lactic acid from the glycogen in the epithelial lining of the vagina. The acidic environment that they produce, & live in, inhibits the growth of many other bacterial forms & as such protects the vaginal passageway from infection. Lactobacillus is a non-sporing, Gram positive bacteria commonly found growing in chains. Magnification X 250 (at 35mm size).

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Size: 5238px × 3469px
Photo credit: © JOHN DURHAM/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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