Bacterial vaginosis

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common of the vaginitides affecting women of reproductive age. It appears to be due to an alteration in the vaginal ecology by which Lactobacillus spp., the predominant organisms in the healthy vagina, are replaced by a mixed flora including Prevotella bivia, Prevotella disiens, Porphyromonas spp., Mobiluncus spp., and Peptostreptococcus spp. All of these organisms except Mobiluncus spp. are also members of the endogenous vaginal flora. While evidence from treatment trials does not support the notion that BV is sexually transmitted, recent studies have shown an increased risk associated with multiple sexual partners. It has also been suggested that the pathogenesis of BV may be similar to that of urinary tract infections, with the rectum serving as a reservoir for some BV-associated flora. The organisms associated with BV have also been recognized as agents of female upper genital tract infection, including pelvic inflammatory disease, and the syndrome BV has been associated with adverse outcome of pregnancy, including premature rupture of membranes, chorioamnionitis, and fetal loss; postpartum endometritis; cuff cellulitis; and urinary tract infections. The mechanisms by which the BV-associated flora causes the signs of BV are not well understood, but a role for H2O2-producing Lactobacillus spp. in protecting against colonization by catalase-negative anaerobic bacteria has been recognized. These and other aspects of BV are reviewed.

Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis Among Sexually Active Women Attending the CDC Central Clinic Tiko, South West Region, Cameroon

“…This finding is comparable to that of Spiegel (1991) in Bangledesh showing a 40-50% prevalence rate for BV. Although little or no information is available in Cameroon on bacterial vaginosis, this condition remains a major public-health problem among sexually active women in Cameroon based on our findings.…”

“…Reproductive-tract infections (RTI) including bacterial vaginosis, are major public health concerns among sexually-active women in developing countries with bacterial vaginosis alone being responsible for 40-50% of vaginal infections (Spiegel, 1991). Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial, superficial vaginal infection involving a reduction in the amount of hydrogen peroxideproducing Lactobacillus and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria.…”

“…A cross sectional study carried out in Bangladesh reported that reproductive tract infections (RTI), including bacterial vaginosis, are a major public-health problem among sexually active women. Among RTI investigated, bacterial vaginosis was responsible for 40 -50% of vaginal infections in sexually -active women (Spiegel, 1991).…”

Comparison of Clinical and Gram Stain Diagnosis Methods of Bacterial Vaginosis Among Pregnant Women in Ethiopia

“…Classical initial method of BV diagnosis was done by isolation of G. vaginalis from clinical specimen [6,7]. Later on with the advent of the anaerobic culture technique other organisms are also detected from those women with disturbed flora [8].…”

Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in females in the reproductive age group in Kadur, Karnataka, India

“…1 Every minute there is a growth of the sexually transmitted disease and diagnosing them at an early stage and treating them remains a major challenge in a developing country like ours.…”