Bacterial vaginosis (Gardnerella, Prevotella, Bacteroides,Mobiluncus,

General information:

Bacterial vaginosis is found in 10% of women of reproductive age (18-40 years). Gardnerella vaginalis can be isolated from people whose partners have recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Systemic treatment of men, however, does not affect the prevalence of infection and cure rates in women. For this reason, bacterial vaginosis is not considered a classic sexually transmitted infection. Gardnerella vaginalis is an inhabitant of a woman's vagina in a very low concentration, about 5%, together with other microbial flora. 95% of the vaginal flora consists of acidophilic lactobacilli, which protect the vagina from infection. When the lactobacilli decrease, the pH of the vagina increases and this creates the conditions for the development of Gardnerella in large quantities.

Subjective complaints in women are – mild itching and discomfort in the vagina, accompanied by an unpleasant odor, described as fishy and often appearing only after intercourse or menstruation. In some rare cases, the discharge is profuse and frothy, similar to that of trichomoniasis, but absent in the extensive changes.

Recurrences in bacterial vaginosis are frequent, so it is good to have follow-up examinations and longer prophylaxis. Treatment of men's partners did not affect women's treatment outcomes and risk of relapse.

Ureaplasma infection is very often joined, therefore, in recurrent bacterial vaginosis, the occurrence of mycoplasma and ureaplasma should be effectively thought.

Sample required:

Vaginal swab

Key words:

bacterial vaginosis