Bacterial vaginosis: the leading cause of vaginal discharge in women attending an STD clinic in Copenhagen.

Sir, Vaginal discharge, itching and erythema are common genital complaints in sexually active women attending STD clinics. The leading cause of these symptoms has for many years been classical STDs, such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia (1). Endogenous genital infections, such as bacterial vaginosis and vaginal candidiasis, on the other hand, have been found in a signi®cant proportion of women attending out-patient gynaecological clinics and general practitioners (2, 3). Since 1986 approximately 2,500 ± 3,000 women have been examined each year due to various genital symptoms and signs. Since a signi®cant change in disease pattern has occurred from 1986 to 1997 we found it relevant to report these data. In addition we have analysed in detail the aetiological factors implicated in vaginal discharge, vulvo-vaginal itching and erythema in 76 consecutive symptomatic female patients seen during a 2-month period in the clinic in 1997.