Affiliation:
1. Medicinski fakultet, Institut za mikrobiologiju i imunologiju, Beograd
2. Ginekološkoakušerska klinika „Narodni front“ Beograd
3. Ginekološkoakušerska klinika „Narodni front“ Beograd + Medicinski fakultet, Beograd
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis is a common, complex clinical syndrome characterized by
alterations in the normal vaginal flora. When symptomatic, it is associated
with a malodorous vaginal discharge and on occasion vaginal burning or
itching. Under normal conditions, lactobacilli constitute 95% of the bacteria
in the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is associated with severe reduction or
absence of the normal H2O2?producing lactobacilli and overgrowth of anaerobic
bacteria and Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, Mycoplasma hominis and
Mobiluncus species. Most types of infectious disease are diagnosed by
culture, by isolating an antigen or RNA/DNA from the microbe, or by
serodiagnosis to determine the presence of antibodies to the microbe.
Therefore, demonstration of the presence of an infectious agent is often a
necessary criterion for the diagnosis of the disease. This is not the case
for bacterial vaginosis, since the ultimate cause of the disease is not yet
known. There are a variety of methods for the diagnosis of bacterial
vaginosis but no method can at present be regarded as the best. Diagnosing
bacterial vaginosis has long been based on the clinical criteria of Amsel,
whereby three of four defined criteria must be satisfied. Nugent?s scoring
system has been further developed and includes validation of the categories
of observable bacteria structures. Up?to?date molecular tests are introduced,
and better understanding of vaginal microbiome, a clear definition for
bacterial vaginosis, and short?term and long?term fluctuations in vaginal
microflora will help to better define molecular tests within the broader
clinical context.
Publisher
National Library of Serbia