Prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis in women referred to Shiraz health centers, 2004

Introduction: Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) or bacterial vaginosis is one of the
most microorganism agents of vaginitis. Malodorous vaginal discharge is the
most common symptom of this vaginitis. GV can be found in vagina of
asymptomatic women. Importance of this organism is for its complications during
pregnancy and non pregnancy and after gynecologic operations.
The purpose of this study is detection of the prevalence of GV infection in
married, healthy women in health centers of Shiraz city and relation between this
infection and symptoms in affected women.
Methods: In this prospective study, 182 women who referred to health centers
around Shiraz city for routine work-up, were selected randomly and samples
from vaginal discharge were sent for direct smear gram staining and culture
under standard condition and vaginal PH detection. Data analysis was made with
SPSS software.
Results: Laboratory methods could detect GV in 15.4% of women. The relation
between symptoms and approved GV infection was not significant.
Conclusion: Despite approved GV in 15.4% of women in this study, there was
not a relation between infected women and their symptoms. Asymptomatic
women can be an important source of complications during pregnancy, non
pregnancy and after gynecologic operation.