Role of Gardnerella vaginalis in vaginitis

ABSTRACT

This study included fifty females with vaginitis and fifty males attending the Andrology Clinic, Cairo University Hospital. Their selection was at random to include both fertile and infertile individuals. Semen and vaginal secretions were examined bacteriologically by direct smear, aerobic and anaerobic cultures, cultures on selective human blood agar for isolation of G. vaginalis. G. vaginalis was isolated from 12% of males and anaerobes from 14%. But their presence in semen was asymptomatic. The presence of these organisms in semen did not correlate with infertility, and further studies were advisable in this respect. In females G. vaginalis was isolated from 16% of cases and anaerobes from 28%. They caused symptoms of vaginitis and there was an association between them. Recurrence after treatment in females occurred from the male partner who acts as a reservoir. Thus treatment of both partners at the same time was advisable