BIOTYPES OF GARDNERELLA VAGINALIS ISOLATED FROM FEMALE PATIENTS WITH BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS IN IBADAN

Abstract

The normal habitat for G.vaginalis is the human vagina, where it has been found
in up to 69% of women without signs or symptoms of vaginal infection and in 13.5% of
girls. The organism is found in nearly100% of women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and
in the urethra of a majority of male partners of women with that diagnosis. G.vaginalis
has also been implicated in premature rupture of membrane in pregnant women with BV
as well as preterm delivery. It is also believed to be associated with endometritis in
women that had Caesarian section and vagina cuff infection in women who had total
abdominal hysterectomy.
One hundred and sixty sexually active female patients attending special treatment
clinic, gynaecology clinic and antenatal clinic at the University College hospital (UCH)
and Adeoyo maternity hospital (secondary health center) within Ibadan metropolis were
voluntarily recruited into the study. This study characterized G. vaginalis isolates by
biotyping based on Hippurate hydrolysis, beta galactosidase activity and lipase activity.
One hundred and nineteen isolates were obtained from the samples. Three
biotypes; 2, 5 and 7 were found to occur commonly in the study participants. Biotype 5
had the highest association with syphilis; however this association was not statistically
significant p=0.287. The prevalence of symptomatic bacterial vaginosis was 35.0%. None
of the study participant was reactive to HIV screening test and they had no evidence of
other sexually transmitted infections like trichomoniasis and gonococcal cervicitis.
Vaginal candidiasis was the next common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge in these
participants. One study participant had an infected polyp as the cause of her discharge.

This study indicates that the biotype of G. vaginalis isolated from symptomatic
patients with bacterial vaginosis does not predispose them to higher risk of acquiring a
sexually transmitted infection. Although numerous studies have shown an increased
predisposition to sexually transmitted infections in patients with bacterial vaginosis, the
mechanisms and synergism with other organisms may be more important in this
observation than the biotype involved

BIOTYPES OF GARDNERELLA VAGINALIS ISOLATED FROM FEMALE PATIENTS WITH BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS IN IBADAN