Volume 4, Issue 1

Microbiological evaluation of women with vulvovaginitis and cervicitis



DOI:10.36108/jrrslasu/7102/40(0153)

Abstract


INTRODUCTON: The vaginal ecosystem is a complex environment that consists of interrelationships among endogenous microflora, their metabolic products, the host’s metabolic products, oestrogen and the pH level. The endocervix however is a sterile environment, which remains susceptible to many infections. AIM: An investigation of cervico-vaginal infections amongst female patients aged 14-63 years attending two private hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria was carried out. METHODS: A total of 480 female patients constituting 444 with and 36 without vaginal discharge were examined. Both high vaginal (HVS) and endocervical swab (ECS) were taken from these patients and subjected to microbiological examinations. Antibiotics susceptibility pattern was determined using the disc diffusion technique. RESULTS: Eight different 8 species of microorganisms were isolated. The most predominant was Gardnerella vaginalis, which accounted for 264 (49%) of the total isolates, followed by Candida albicans, 120 (22%), Escherichia coli, 76(14%) Trichomonas vaginals, 28(5%) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae , 32(6%). Other were Proteus mirabilis, 8(1.5%) and Streptococcus pyogenes 4(0.7%). Mixed infections were observed in 20% of the patients studied. CONCLUSION: The health implication of the organisms isolated especially the high incidence of Gardnerella vaginosis in women of reproductive age can predispose them to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), spontaneous abortion, pre-term delivery among others. The bacterial isolates were most sensitive to Gentamycin, Pefloxacine and Ceftriaxone, while most of them were resistant to Ampicillin and Tetracycline which are commonly available and abused over-the-counter drugs. Keywords: Vulvovaginitis, cervicitis, monogamy, microbial pathogens, endogenous microflora.


Keywords: Vulvovaginitis, Cervicitis, Monogamy, and Microbial Pathogens

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