Occurrence of HSV with other microorganisms in female genital infection

ABSTRACT

Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Ulcerations of primary genital herpes may be susceptible to secondary infection with bacteria, fungus or even viruses. This study was directed to investigate the incidence of HSV and other pathogens in female patients presented with vaginal discharge and/or genital discomfort. Special attention was directed toward the possible occurrence of HSV with other pathogens in the same individual. Two vaginal swabs were collected from 80 female patients, and from 20 healthy women which were represented as age match control group. One swab was tested with commercial enhanced enzyme immunoassay for the direct detection of HSV 1 and 2 antigen. The other swab was used for formal bacteriological and mycological culture, and for microscopy. HSB antigen was detected from the genital area in 21 of 80 patients [26.25%], and in 4 of 20 control group [20%]. The diagnosis of candida spp. Trichomonus vaginalis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was established in 15%, 8.75%, and 2.5% of the patients respectively. Other microorganisms were also diagnosed in some patients. Of the 21 patients proved to be infected with HSV, combined coexistence with other pathogens was proved to be in 11 patients [52.4%], with a highest percentage [28.6%] was found with candida spp. Followed by combined HSV with different species of bacteria [14.3%], also this coexistence was found in 9.5% [2], 4.8% [1] of patients infected with T.vaginalis and N.gonorrhoeae respectively. One HSV infected patient [4.8%] was found to be infected with both T.vaginalis and Staph. aureus. While this concomitance infection was found in only one [25%] of the 4 normal females proved to be infected with T. vaginalis beside HSV. From the results of this study we can conclude that herpes genitalis is a common genital tract infection among Iraqi females. Furthermore, genital herpes often occur in association with one or more other pathogens