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.