Prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis Infection in Women Attending Hospitals in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

A study designed to determine the prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis in women presenting with nonspecific vaginitis as well as the antibiogram of the isolates to commonly used antibiotics were undertaken. The survey involved the examination of high vaginal swabs (HVS) from one hundred and two (02) volunteer patients seen at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and the Plateau Specialist Hospital, both in Jos, Nigeria. Of the total number of the study population, 11(10.78%) harboured G. vaginalis. The age group 26 - 30 years had the highest rate (7, 6.86%). There appeared to be a relationship between patients who presented with vaginal discharge with isolation of G. vaginalis. since all the isolates were associated with discharge. "Clue cells" finding was an important indicator of infection since 53.85% of all culture-positive specimens had "clue cells" while only 4.5% without "clue cells" harboured the organism (p<0.05). Isolates were very sensitive to metronidazole, ceftazidime, ofloxacin, cefuroime, cephalexin and augmentin. The study demonstrated that G. vaginalis was associated with non-specific vaginitis in Jos and that the "clue cells" finding as well as the presence of vaginal discharge were important diagnostic makers for the infection. Metronidazole was the drug of choice in treating the disease condition.