Bacteria that cause vaginosis: Gardnerella vaginalis.

Question 1

Gardnerella vaginalis

Answer 1

1. Gardnerella vaginalis is a facultatively anaerobic, gram-variable rod associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV).
2. It is part of the normal vaginal flora but overgrows when lactobacilli levels drop.
3. BV is characterized by a thin, grayish-white, fishy-smelling vaginal discharge and a rise in vaginal pH (>4.5).
4. G. vaginalis adheres to vaginal epithelial cells, forming ‘clue cells’—epithelial cells coated with bacteria seen on wet mount microscopy.
5. A positive whiff test (fishy odor when KOH is added) supports the diagnosis.
6. G. vaginalis produces cytotoxins that contribute to epithelial cell damage.
7. Diagnosis is based on Amsel’s criteria or Nugent scoring from Gram stain.
8. Treatment: metronidazole or clindamycin.