Role of Gardnerella vaginalis as an etiological agent of bacterial vaginosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Bacterial vaginosis is a risk factor for obstetric infections, various adverse outcomes of pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in women attending Gynaecology Outpatient Department (O.P.D) and sexually transmitted disease (S.T.D.) clinic and to assess the role of Gardnerella vaginalis as an etiological agent of bacterial vaginosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two hundred women attending Gynaecology O.P.D and S.T.D. clinic with symptoms suggesting lower genital tract infection were included in the study. pH of the vaginal discharge was measured and three high vaginal swabs were collected. Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed using Amsel's criteria and Nugent's method. Gardnerella vaginalis was isolated and identified by standard methods. RESULTS Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis using Amsel's criteria and Gram stain scoring method was found to be 51.5% and 49% respectively. Gardnerella vaginalis was isolated in only 8.7% cases of bacterial vaginosis. CONCLUSION Our study showed a relatively high prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in the population under study. Women attending various healthcare facilities should be screened and treated properly to prevent recurrence. Low isolation rate of Gardnerella vaginalis may be attributed to factors like poor viability and fastidiousness of the organism to grow in various media.