Laboratorial aspects of cytolytic vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis as a key for accurate diagnosis: a pilot study / Aspectos laboratoriais da vaginose citolítica e candidíase vulvovaginal como uma chave para o diagnóstico preciso: Um estudo piloto

Abstract Objective To identify clinical, microscopic, and biochemical characteristics that differentiate cytolytic vaginosis (CV) from vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). Methods The present cross-sectional study analyzed the vaginal contents of 24 non-pregnant women aged 18 to 42 years who were attended at the Genital Infections Clinic at Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (CAISM-UNICAMP). They were diagnosed either with (CV = 8, VVC = 8) or without vulvovaginitis or vaginal dysbiosis (controls). The socio-demographic, clinical, and gynecological data were obtained from a detailed patient interview. Samples of the vaginal contents were collected for analysis of vaginal pH, gram stain, and specific fungal culture. The Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the differences between the groups. Odds ratios were used to compare the categorical variables. The significance level was considered at p < 0.05. Results Both women with CV and VVC had a lumpy vaginal discharge (p = 0,002) and vaginal hyperemia (p = 0.001), compared with controls. The inflammatory process was more intense in the VVC group (p = 0.001). In the CV group, there was statistical significance for the lactobacillus amount (p = 0.006), vaginal epithelium lysis (p = 0.001), and vaginal pH (p = 0.0002). Conclusion Cytolytic vaginosis and VVC diagnoses rarely differ on clinical characteristics but have different laboratorial findings. The present study highlights the importance of conducting an accurate investigation through laboratory tests rather than clinical criteria to avoid misdiagnosis.

Resumo Objetivo Identificar características clínicas, microscópicas e bioquímicas que diferenciam a vaginose citolítica (VC) da candidíase vulvovaginal (CVV). Métodos O presente estudo de corte transversal analisou o conteúdo vaginal de 24 mulheres não grávidas, com idades entre 18 e 42 anos, atendidas no ambulatório de Infecções Genitais do Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (CAISM-UNICAMP). Elas foram diagnosticadas com (CV = 8, CVV = 8) ou sem vulvovaginite ou disbiose vaginal (controles = 8). Os dados sociodemográficos, clínicos e ginecológicos foram obtidos em uma entrevista detalhada do paciente. Amostras do conteúdo vaginal foram coletadas para análise do pH vaginal, coloração de Gram e cultura específica de fungos. Os testes exatos de Kruskal-Wallis e Fisher foram utilizados para comparar as diferenças entre os grupos. A razão de chances foi utilizada para comparar as variáveis categóricas. O nível de significância considerado foi de p < 0,05. Resultados As mulheres com VC e CVV apresentaram corrimento vaginal irregular (p = 0,002) e hiperemia vaginal (p = 0,001), em comparação aos controles. O processo inflamatório foi mais intenso no grupo CVV (p = 0,001). No grupo VC, houve significância estatística para a quantidade de lactobacilos (p = 0,006), lise do epitélio vaginal (p = 0,001) e pH vaginal (p = 0,0002). Conclusão Os diagnósticos de VC e CVV raramente diferem nas características clínicas, mas apresentam achados laboratoriais diferentes. O presente estudo destaca a importância de conduzir uma investigação precisa por meio de testes laboratoriais, em vez de critérios apenas clínicos, a fim de evitar erros de diagnóstico.

Vaginosis citolítica en pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de vulvovaginitis candidiásica / Cytolytic vaginosis in patients with clinical diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis

La microbiota vaginal en la edad fértil está dominada por Lactobacillus spp. Su sobrecrecimiento provoca el aumento en la producción de ácido láctico, disminución del pH vaginal y lisis de células del epitelio vaginal, causando vaginosis citolítica, la cual se confunde con vulvovaginitis candidiásica (VVC) por la aparición de signos y síntomas similares. Se determinó la prevalencia de vaginosis citolítica, así como sus características clínicas y epidemiológicas en pacientes que consultaron con clínica sugestiva de VVC durante el período agosto-septiembre del año 2015. Se encontraron 12 pacientes con clínica compatible de VVC. En 11 (91,7%) se realizó el diagnóstico de vaginosis citolítica y en 1 (8,3%) de vulvovaginitis candidiásica. El 63,7% de las pacientes (7) tenían diagnóstico previo de VVC recurrente. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron prurito vaginal o vulvar y secreción vaginal blanquecina de aspecto grumoso como leche cortada. La clínica iniciaba entre los 4-6 días posteriores a la menstruación, y desaparecía días antes o justo con el inicio de una nueva fase menstrual. En conclusión, se encontró que en las pacientes examinadas la sintomatología de ambas patologías resultó indistinguible, por tanto el diagnóstico clínico no es suficiente y debe recurrirse al diagnóstico de laboratorio para distinguir entre vaginosis citolítica y vulvovaginitis candidiásica.

The vaginal microbiota in fertile age is dominated by Lactobacillus spp. Its overgrowth causes increased production of lactic acid, decreased vaginal pH and lysis of cells of the vaginal epithelium, causing cytolytic vaginosis, which can be confused with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) due to the similar signs and symptoms. The prevalence of cytolytic vaginosis, as well as its clinical and epidemiological characteristics was determined in patients who consulted with suggestive signs and symptoms of VVC during the period August to September of the year 2015. Twelve patients with signs and symptoms compatible with VVC were considered. Of those, 11 (91.7%) were diagnosed as cytolytic vaginosis and 1 (8.3%) corresponded to vulvovaginal candidiasis. From the 12 patients included, 7 (63.7%) had previous diagnosis of recurrent VVC. The most frequent symptoms recorded were vaginal or vulvar pruritus and whitish, cheesy or curd-like vaginal discharge. Signs and symptoms started between 4 to 6 days after menstruation, and disappeared days before or just with the onset of a new menstrual cycle. In conclusion, it was found that in the patients examined, signs and symptoms of both pathologies were indistinguishable. Therefore, the clinical diagnosis is not enough and laboratory studies should be used to distinguish between cytolytic vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Vaginosis citolítica: presentación de un caso clínico / Cytolytic vaginosis: presentation of a clinical case

La vaginosis citolítica, descrita hace 30 años como citólisis de Döderlein, es frecuente en mujeres en la edad reproductiva y, por las características de flujo vaginal blanquecino y síntomas clínicos, es indistinguible de la vulvovaginitis micótica. Se presenta el caso de una paciente, con diagnóstico clínico presuntivo de vulvovaginitis por Candida spp. a repetición, tratada empíricamente con antifúngicos por año y medio sin ninguna mejoría. Luego de estudios microbiológicos, la coloración de Gram, demostró la presencia de 50 bacilos grampositivos por campo y abundantes núcleos celulares desnudos. El cultivo resultó puro para Lactobacillus spp., lo que permitió confirmar el diagnóstico de vaginosis citolítica. La paciente fue tratada con ampicilina-sulbactam y no ha vuelto a presentar recidivas. En conclusión, es fundamental determinar el pH vaginal de las pacientes en la consulta, así como practicar una coloración de Gram de la secreción vaginal para poner en evidencia los cambios celulares por el exceso de ácido en la vagina y así evitar tratamientos antifúngicos innecesarios que acrecentarán los trastornos de la microbiota vaginal.

Cytolytic vaginosis, described 30 years ago as Döderlein cytolysis, is common in women of reproductive age and, due to the characteristics of whitish vaginal discharge and clinical symptoms, is indistinguishable from mycotic vulvovaginitis. We describe the case of a patient with presumptive clinical diagnosis of recurrent vulvovaginitis by Candida spp. treated empirically with antifungal agents for one and a half years without improvement. After microbiological studies, Gram staining demonstrated the presence of 50 Gram-positive bacilli per field and abundant nude cell nuclei. The culture recovered pure Lactobacillus spp. which permitted the diagnosis of cytolytic vaginosis. The patient was treated with ampicillin-sulbactam and since, has not had recurrences. In conclusion, it is essential to examine the pH of the patient vaginal discharge, as well as to practice a Gram staining of the vaginal secretion to demonstrate the cellular changes produced by the excess of acid in the vagina and therefore avoid unnecessary antifungal treatments that will produce undue changes of the vaginal microbiota.

Vaginosis citolítica: un diagnóstico diferencial poco frecuente de vulvovaginitis micótica a repetición / Cytolytic vaginosis: a rare differential diagnosis of fungal recurrent vulvovaginitis

Los síntomas compatibles con vaginitis y vaginosis, son la causa más frecuente de consulta al ginecólogo. La descarga vaginal abundante y el prurito, constituyen la primera sospecha de estas patologías. Sin embargo, debemos tener presente que el aumento significativo de lactobacilos, conocido como lactobacilosis, puede expresarse también con los mismos síntomas y signos de una vulvovaginitis micótica. Si esta condición se mantiene en el tiempo, puede provocar un grado de acidez anormal en la vagina, y puede llevar a una lisis de las células epiteliales que se conoce como vaginosis citolítica. Este diagnóstico, aunque es poco frecuente, debemos sospecharlo especialmente, en aquellas mujeres que relatan tener múltiples consultas por candidiasis vaginal, con escasa o nula respuesta frente a la terapia antimicótica.

The symptoms consistent with vaginitis and vaginosis are the most common cause of the visit to the gynecologist. Heavy vaginal discharge and pruritus are the first suspicion of this pathology. However, the significant increase in lactobacilli, known as lactobacilosis can be expressed also with the same symptoms and signs of a fungal vulvovaginitis. If this condition is maintained overtime, can cause abnormal acidity in the vagina, and may lead to epithelial cell lysis, which is known as cytolytic vaginosis. This diagnosis, although rare, should be suspected especially in women who reported having multiple consultations for vaginal candidiasis, with little or no response to antifungal therapy.