OBJECTIVE Clinical isolates of Candida were tested for the presence of catalase and susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide. METHODS MIC was tested by broth dilution technique and catalase was determined by a spectrophotometric procedure. RESULTS All 38 strains tested were inhibited by hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 4.4 to 88 mM/l, with non-albicans isolates generally requirin...

The vaginal microbiome plays an influential role in several disease states in reproductive age women, including bacterial vaginosis (BV). While demographic characteristics are associated with differences in vaginal microbiome community structure, little is known about the influence of sexual and hygiene habits. Furthermore, associations between the vaginal microbiome and risk symptoms of bacter...

Clinical evidence of bacterial vaginosis was present in 25 (35%) of 72 patients attending a London venereology clinic and correlated significantly with abnormal organic acids in vaginal secretions (24/25), with Gardnerella vaginalis on culture (17/25), with complaints of vaginal malodour (15/25), and with a relative scarcity of white blood cells in vaginal secretions. Anaerobic vaginal flora we...

Objective: Most studies use clinical examination and evaluation of symptoms as subjective forms for the diagnosis vaginal atrophy. Vaginal hormonal cytology pH are objective commonly used, however, mainly treatment control purposes. Despite relevance early atrophy, we not aware that objectively or subjectively evaluate evolution parameters with this intention. The aim study was to assess if ins...

KEY WORDS bacterial vaginosis; metronidazole etronidazole vaginal gel 0.75% (MetroGel-Vaginal(R), 3M Pharmaceuticals, St. Paul, MN) is the intravaginal form of the antibacterial, anti-protozoal agent metronidazole. MetroGel-Vaginal is indicated for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and has been shown to be as effective as the oral form of metronidazole for this condition. Recently , a s...

Lactobacillus species are a predominant member of the vaginal microflora and are critical in maintaining an acidic vaginal environment thought to contribute to the prevention of a number of urogenital diseases. However, during menstruation the pH of the vaginal environment increases to neutrality, a pH conducive for Staphylococcus aureus proliferation and the production of toxic shock syndrome ...

The involution of the female genital tract seems to reflect a built-in biological life expectancy, inter-related with the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-ovarian axis. Lower levels of oestradiol have a number of adverse effects, including on the lower urinary tract. The major universal change is vaginal atrophy. The vaginal mucosa becomes thinner and dry, which can produce vaginal discomfort, dryness,...

Glycogen expressed by the lower genital tract epithelium is believed to support Lactobacillus growth in vivo, although most genital isolates of Lactobacillus are not able to use glycogen as an energy source in vitro. We recently reported that α-amylase is present in the genital fluid of women and that it breaks down glycogen into small carbohydrates that support growth of lactobacilli. Since th...

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginitis. If untreated, it is associated with serious complications. BV is a poly-microbial, synergistic infection, involving over-growth of multiple bacterial pathogens. Vaginal flora becomes altered leading to increased pH due to decrease in lactobacilli (which produce H2O2).Although Nugent's criterion is considered as the gold standard in...