Scanning electron microscope observation of the biomass accumulated on contraceptive vaginal rings used for three weeks.

<p>Pictures 1a-3a: The contraceptive vaginal ring was used by a woman with a Nugent score of 10 and with presence of <i>Lactobacillus iners</i>, <i>Gardnerella vaginalis</i> and <i>Atopobium vaginae</i> as measured by qPCR. A vaginal biofilm consisting of <i>Gardnerella vaginalis</i> and <i>Atopobium vaginae</i> was identified using fluorescence in situ hybridization. On the ring <i>Lactobacillus species</i>, <i>Gardnerella vaginalis</i> and <i>Atopobium vaginae</i> were detected using qPCR, the crystal violet optical density was 3.7555 Pictures 1b-3b: Biomass on a contraceptive vaginal ring after use by a woman with a Nugent score of 0 and presence of <i>Lactobacillus iners</i> only. No biofilm was visualized using fluorescence in situ hybridization. On the ring <i>Lactobacillus species</i> was detected using qPCR, the crystal violet optical density was 3.7225.