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AIMS Microbiology

2022, Volume 8, Issue 2: 167-177. doi: 10.3934/microbiol.2022014
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A study on vaginitis among pregnant and non-pregnant females in Alexandria, Egypt: An unexpected high rate of mixed vaginal infection

  • 1.
    Microbiology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt
  • 2.
    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
  • 3.
    Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pharos University, Alexandria, Egypt
  • Received: 08 February 2022 Revised: 25 March 2022 Accepted: 12 April 2022 Published: 05 May 2022

  • Background 

    Many infectious and noninfectious triggers lead to inflammation of the vagina.

    Aim 

    We investigated the prevalence of causative vaginitis microorganisms in 516 pregnant and nonpregnant female volunteers. Vaginal samples were examined microscopically, cultured and tested for different pathogens.

    Results 

    Of the participants, 310 (60.1%) were pregnant, whereas 206 (39.9%) were nonpregnant. Using Amsel's criteria and Nugent's scores, bacterial vaginosis (BV) was diagnosed in 59.1%, and the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) was 50.2% in the population. Candida infections were significantly higher in nonpregnant females (p value ≤ 0.01), and 24% of females had mixed infections. The most common mixed infection was BV and Candida spp., detected in 21% of the cases.

    Conclusions 

    Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginitis. We observed that 24% of females experienced mixed infections, and Candida albicans was the most common fungal species causing VVC. Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence was underestimated using wet mounts.

    Citation: Sherine Mohamed Shawaky, Mariam Majed Ali Al Shammari, Manal Shafik Sewelliam, Abeer Abd El Rahim Ghazal, Ahmed Noby Amer. A study on vaginitis among pregnant and non-pregnant females in Alexandria, Egypt: An unexpected high rate of mixed vaginal infection[J]. AIMS Microbiology, 2022, 8(2): 167-177. doi: 10.3934/microbiol.2022014

    Related Papers:

  • Background 

    Many infectious and noninfectious triggers lead to inflammation of the vagina.

    Aim 

    We investigated the prevalence of causative vaginitis microorganisms in 516 pregnant and nonpregnant female volunteers. Vaginal samples were examined microscopically, cultured and tested for different pathogens.

    Results 

    Of the participants, 310 (60.1%) were pregnant, whereas 206 (39.9%) were nonpregnant. Using Amsel's criteria and Nugent's scores, bacterial vaginosis (BV) was diagnosed in 59.1%, and the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) was 50.2% in the population. Candida infections were significantly higher in nonpregnant females (p value ≤ 0.01), and 24% of females had mixed infections. The most common mixed infection was BV and Candida spp., detected in 21% of the cases.

    Conclusions 

    Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginitis. We observed that 24% of females experienced mixed infections, and Candida albicans was the most common fungal species causing VVC. Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence was underestimated using wet mounts.

    Abbreviations

    GBS

    Group B Streptococci

         BV

    Bacterial vaginosis

         VVC

    vulvovaginal candidiasis

         T. Vaginalis

    Trichomonas vaginalis

         C. albicans

    C. albicans.
    加载中


    Conflict of interest


    The authors declare no conflict of interest.

    Author contributions


    Conceptualization was by Prof. Dr. Abeer Ghazal and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shereen Shawky. Practical work was done by Prof. Dr. Shereen Shawky, Mariam Majed Ali Al Shammari, Dr. Manal Shafik Sewelliam and Dr. Ahmed Noby Amer. Manuscript preparation was by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shereen Shawky and Dr. Ahmed Noby Amer.

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