By upregulating epithelial galectin-1 expression P. bivia may contribute to the amplified galectin-1 levels in the natural TV-BV coinfection and thereby facilitate the adherence of TV to epithelial cells (Okumura et al., 2008), which is mediated by galectin-1 binding to the protozoan surface lipophosphoglycan (LPG) (Fichorova et al., 2016). This evidence concerns the gene LGALS1 and bacterial vaginosis.