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Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a syndrome related to Gardnerella vaginalis and is characterized by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota. This work focused on the evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and the occurrence of the vaginolysin (vly) gene in G. vaginalis isolated from BV and non-BV patients. Methodology: The vaginal secretions were collected randomly and processed for G. vaginalis isolation. The isolates were presumptively identified by β-hemolysis and oxidase and catalase tests. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to confirm bacterial identity and to detect the vly gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined. Results: Of 89 patients, G. vaginalis was isolated from 42 (37 BV and 5 non-BV), and 204 isolates were selected (179 from BV and 25 non- BV). The vly gene was detected in all G. vaginalis isolated from non-BV women and in 98.3% of the bacteria from BV patients. High resistance was observed for ampicillin (54.4%), metronidazole (59.8%), tinidazole (60.3%) and secnidazole (71.6%). Conclusions: Further studies are needed to better address the role of G. vaginalis and the vly gene in BV pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DivulgaMicro is a Brazilian science communication and outreach project run by three young female scientists. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we promoted the first virtual edition of the DivulgaMicro Workshop. Here, we describe adaptations implemented to deliver the virtual edition and its assessment by the participants. We offered a 3-day workshop addressing manuscript writing and publishing, poster design and oral presentations, and strategies for effectively communicating with the lay public on Days 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Each daily session was divided into short lectures and active learning through interactive and cooperative activities. We applied pre- and postsession surveys daily to assess participants' learning, with an opinion questionnaire at the end of the workshop. We selected 50 of 221 applicants, but only 38 of those selected participated in the workshop. Correct answers were significantly higher ( p < 0.01) in the postsession surveys each day. Most of the 34 participants who answered the opinion questionnaire (97%) would recommend the workshop to their colleagues. Participants stated that the workshop content was transmitted in a clear and straightforward manner, and they considered the online format suitable for knowledge acquisition. Participants were satisfied with the organization, dynamics, and interactivity. Topics addressed on Day 3 (61.8%) and Day 1 (23.5%) were most liked and were considered most useful in the participants' careers. We believe that the overall success of the workshop is due to the combination of short lectures with active-learning activities, the use of virtual platforms that enabled effective communication between participants and instructors, and the support of our collaborators., (©2021 Author(s). Published by the American Society for Microbiology.)