Also, BV-associated bacteria and one of Lactobacillus species, Lactobacillus vaginalis, increased secretions of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8, Gro-alpha (CXCL1), and antimicrobial peptide hBD2 than the commensal bacteria did, which is consistent with the cytokine readings from the clinical samples. The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is bacterial vaginosis.