Isolation of Anaerobes in Bacterial Vaginosis

Anaerobic bacteria causing Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) have been linked to a wide variety of upper genital tract infections, particularly in child bearing age. The aim of the study is to know the prevalence of anaerobic organisms in vaginal discharge of women with bacterial vaginosis attending STI clinic at a tertiary care hospital. The material for the study includes vaginal discharge specimens collected in duplicates using sterile pipettes from 100 women attending STI clinic with the complaint of foul smelling vaginal discharge. BV was diagnosed using clinical composite criteria and Nugent’s scoring. Anaerobic culture was done to isolate and identify anaerobes. Out of 100 cases studied, 52 had Nugent’s score of ≥7 and 20 had an intermediate score of 4-6. Anaerobic culture was positive in 68 specimens. Gram positive anaerobic bacteria (61.8%) outnumbered the Gram negative isolates (35.3%). Anaerobic bacteria are important pathogens in causation of Bacterial vaginosis. Isolation of anaerobes from samples with intermediate Nugent’s score helps in identifying cases in transitional phase which may develop into frank BV.