Correlates of bacterial vaginosis among women from North India

Abstract

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most prevalent cause of abnormal vaginal discharge among pre-menopausal women and associated with adversities of sexual and reproductive health. The present study aimed to identify potential epidemiological and behavioural risk factors and clinical predictors of BV among women in Delhi, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess 283 non-pregnant women aged 18–45 years for BV using Nugent’s scoring criteria. Information on demographics, sexual behaviours, hygiene practices and clinical symptoms was obtained and evaluated for their association with Nugent-BV status. Results: A positive diagnosis for Nugent-BV was made in 69 (24.4%) participants, 55 (19.4%) were intermediate and 159 (65.2%) were negative for Nugent-BV. Infertility ( p = .02) and recent unprotected sexual exposure ( p = .02) were strongly associated with Nugent-BV. On the other hand, women who reported regular use of condoms during intercourse were more likely to test negative ( p = .03). None of the patient complaints, however, had any significant correlation with Nugent-BV diagnosis. Conclusion: Women in their reproductive years share the highest burden of adversities associated with bacterial vaginosis. History of infertility, recent unprotected sexual exposure and frequent use of condoms were correlates having significant associations with Nugent-BV.

Multi‐omics analysis identifies potential microbial and metabolite diagnostic biomarkers of bacterial vaginosis

“…Of the five community state types (CSTs) described so far, four are dominated by Lactobacillus while the fifth is a polymicrobial mixture of opportunistic anaerobes 6 . The latter, accompanied by persistent loss of indigenous lactobacilli, leads to bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition that increases the risk for acquisition and transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and can result in infertility and adverse outcomes of pregnancy 7–14 …”

“…indigenous lactobacilli, leads to bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition that increases the risk for acquisition and transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and can result in infertility and adverse outcomes of pregnancy. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] The existing diagnostic modalities for BV include Nugent scoring or Amsel's criteria which rely on the laboratorybased evaluation of Gram-stained vaginal smears and clinical assessments, respectively. 15,16 These tools require skilled expertise and can be highly subjective.…”

Assessment of Symptoms and Risk Factors as a Screening Tool of Bacterial Vaginosis Among Reproductive Age-Group Females in West Bengal, India

“…Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common reproductive tract infections in India. It is the prevalent cause of abnormal vaginal discharge among reproductive age-group females [ 1 ]. BV is a well-known vaginal dysbiosis with the replacement of beneficial lactic acid bacteria, e.g., lactobacilli with anaerobic bacteria (e.g., Gardnerella vaginalis , Atopobium vaginae , and Mycoplasma hominis ) [ 2 ].…”

Predictive Performance of 1H-NMR Metabolomics-Derived Biomarkers of Bacterial Vaginosis

“…1 It has been associated with the presence of malodorous vaginal discharge and an increased risk of adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. 2 Two of the most widely used diagnostic tools rely either on Nugent scoring of bacterial morphotypes or evaluation of Amsel's clinical signs. Although the former requires skilled expertise and is largely restricted to research laboratories, the latter is often amended based on resources available in outpatient settings.…”

“…Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common clinical manifestation of an aberrant vaginal ecology, characterized by depletion of lactic acid producing lactobacilli with concomitant overgrowth of diverse strict and facultative anaerobes 1 . It has been associated with the presence of malodorous vaginal discharge and an increased risk of adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes 2 . Two of the most widely used diagnostic tools rely either on Nugent scoring of bacterial morphotypes or evaluation of Amsel's clinical signs.…”