The epidemiology of L. iners as a human pathogen has not deeply explored, but broad trends emerge from various studies. 

It is bacterial species found in healthy or dysbiotic vaginal microbiomes. A transitional colonizer after vaginal disturbance, less protection against imbalance and infections. It showed strain diversity and function variability resulted in inconsistent links to genital health outcomes. 

Lactobacillus iners is not harmful to humans, cases of people with weak immunity are reported. Blood and heart infections are the illness linked to L. sphaericus in humans. Lactobacillus spreads worldwide to humans and these bacteria are mostly unknown. 

Lactobacillus iners is a rod structured pathogen having positive properties in gram staining and catalase negative traits. This is a facultatively anaerobic organism found in the vaginal microbiome which comes under Lactobacillaceae. 

The circular chromosome is 1.3 Mb in size. It possesses a low G+C content of 37.1%. Lactic acid production is limited to the L-isomer form. Hydrogen peroxides are not produced by this organism. 

Strain diversity and functional variability are high within this species. This characteristic may explain inconsistent associations with genital health outcomes observed for L. iners.  

Inerolysin, a cholesterol dependent cytolysin is produced. Pathogenic gram-positive bacteria harbor in pore forming and cytolysins. Biofilm formation by L. iners protects against host immune defenses and antibiotics. 

There are two linkage groups of L. iners, based on the presence or absence of a protein called Lsa25. This protein could help L. iners stick to and live in the vagina. L. iners has some industrial uses, It actually synthesizes lactic acid, substances that kill bacteria, and things that reduce inflammation. 

L. iners stick to cells like in lining blood vessels, skin, and immune cells. It invades cells causing pus and swelling. L. iners creates protective biofilms that evade the body’s defenses and resist antibiotics.

L. iners spreads by contacting contaminated water, it forms hardy endospores to survive hard periods. These endospores are inhaled or entered via the skin for germinating into infectious vegetative cells. Exposure risks in healthcare settings or occupations handling infected samples or equipment.

L. iners is defended by innate immune system, it senses the bacteria’s parts and starts inflammatory responses. Immune cells battling Lactobacillus iners are dendritic cells and natural killer cells. It generates reactive oxygen species and cytokines. They kill and trigger immune cells to the infection site.

Vaginal microbiota like lactobacilli release hydrogen peroxide and produce lactic acid. It lowers pH by creating an acidic environment to block L. iners growth. 

Making short chain fatty acids helps to keep the gut barrier strong, blocking bacteria and toxins from passage over into the body. Battling for food and space reduces harmful bacteria from dominating and staying in the gut. 

L. iners exposure induces adaptive immunity. The body produces IgA which neutralizes L. iners. IgA prevents from adhering to epithelial cells.

Lactobacillus iners are present in vaginas to cause infections. It results into inflamed heart linings and bacteremia in the bloodstream. Newborns face neonatal meningitis risks. Dental caries occurs with also the abdominal abscesses form pus collections inside abdomen. 

Lactobacillus iners triggers lung infections. Women postpartum could contract endometritis and uterus lining infection. Pyelonephritis involves kidney infections from these bacteria. Lactobacillus iners infection appear under bodily conditions. 

It is complicated to determine Lactobacillus iners causing disease in patients because it’s a common type of bacteria found in the vagina. 

L. iners grows from blood, pee, or vaginal swabs on anaerobic blood agar plates or Rogosa Sharpe agar. This test also gives false nature or mistake it for other pathogens since L. iners doesn’t rapidly grow on the usual Lactobacillus plates and look like negative rods.

L. iners appear as thin purple rods in chains. But again, it might not stain well or get confused with other gram negative bacteria.

Polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence in situ hybridization, or 16S rRNA sequencing identify L. iners finding its genetic material. The molecular tests face cost, availability, and contamination issues. 

When dealing catheters, implants, healthcare workers must carefully follow aseptic protocols. Keep a sterile environment in medical procedures to avoid infections. 

Stay away from contaminated dirt, plants, or insects. Wear defensive stuffs and masks. Take care of water safety through boiling or filtration. 

To stop the spreading these infections follow proper hygiene and infection control methods carefully. Handle medical solutions in sterile containers. 

Frontiers | Contribution of Lactobacillus iners to Vaginal Health and Diseases: A Systematic Review (frontiersin.org) 

Lactobacillus Iners – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics