IL6 and infection: Lactic acid decreases production of pro-inflammatory mediators (IL-6 and IL-8) in cultured cervical epithelium [75] and lactate production by L. crispatus and L. gasseri has been shown to prevent infection by Chlamydia trachomatis [73], suppress growth of Escherichia coli [76], and Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria [77].