THE BACTERIA OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

Vaginal discharge is a common complaint. 1267 vaginal discharges were examinated. Three groups can be established concerning results of cyto logical and bacteriological microscopic examinations. First group corr esponds to vaginal discharge with intact lactobacillary flora (811). T he second group (295) corresponds to an altered flora. This group is a transition of the Lactobacillus typical microflora to the characteris tic bacterial vaginosis : in this group a great variety of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were isolated, with a pH > 4,5; the rise in pH dec reases the oxydation reduction potential which results in a more anaer obic microenvironment. The third group (161) corresponds to bacterial vaginosis. The diagnosis is based on different criterias : malodour, v aginal discharge, pH > 5, and characteristic microbial aspects of the Gram coloration. There was a strong association between diagnosis base d on microscopic examination and bacterial isolation : Gardnerella vag inalis, Mycoplasma hominis and anaerobic bacteria : Prevotella bivia, Peptostreptococcus prevotii and Mobiluncus have been found in high fre quencies.