The vaginal microbial flora in non-specific vaginitis

Abstract

The facultative and strictly anaerobic vaginal microbial flora was investigated in 40 women with non-specific vaginitis and in 40 control women seen in private gynaecological practice. Gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobic gram-negative bacilli, anaerobic gram-negative and gram-positive cocci were all associated with non-specific vaginitis (p less than 0.001), whereas lactobacilli occurred less frequently in non-specific vaginitis than in controls (p less than 0.01). The most common anaerobes were Veillonella parvula, Bacteroides bivius, Bacteroides assaccharolyticus, Bacteroides capillosus and Peptococcus asaccharolyticus. Anaerobic gram-negative curved rods were found in 11% of cases of non-specific vaginitis. A characteristic pattern of short chain organic acids was found on gas liquid chromatographic analysis of vaginal secretions in non-specific vaginitis. A succinate/lactate peak ratio of 0.3 or more was found in 75% of women with non-specific vaginitis (p less than 0.001). Clue cells, a positive amine test, a pH higher than 5.0, and the absence of lactobacilli on a Gram stained vaginal smear strongly correlated with non-specific vaginitis (p less than 0.001).

Comparison of Oral and Vaginal Metronidazole Therapy for Nonspecific Bacterial Vaginosis

“…Otherwise, the findings of the present study are in agreement with those of previous reports indicating that anaerobic microor ganisms such as peptostreptococci, peptococci, Eubacterium and Bacteroides are asso ciated with clinical BV in the absence of lactobacilli [5,8,11,12], G. vaginalis was slightly more frequent in the symptomatic patient.…”

Association of Bacterial Vaginosis with Preterm Delivery

“…Similar studies were carried out in the United States, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom and Indonesia, where incidence of preterm delivery with BV positive cases ranged from 2 to 2.8 and 3.5 and 6.9 16,17,18 .…”

Dendritic cell activation and maturation induced by mucosal fluid from women with bacterial vaginosis

“…Multiple bacteria species are present in BV flora [9,[39][40][41], while normal flora species consist predominantly of lactobacilli [42,43]. Therefore, the results suggest that DC recognize products released by bacteria responsible for BV but not those released by lactobacilli.…”