title: The vaginal microbial flora in non-specific vaginitis.
abstract: The facultative and strictly anaerobic vaginal microbial flora was investigated in 40 women with non-specific vaginitis and in 40 control women seen in private gynaecological practice. Gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobic gram-negative bacilli, anaerobic gram-negative and gram-positive cocci were all associated with non-specific vaginitis (p less than 0.001), whereas lactobacilli occurred less frequently in non-specific vaginitis than in controls (p less than 0.01). The most common anaerobes were Veillonella parvula, Bacteroides bivius, Bacteroides assaccharolyticus, Bacteroides capillosus and Peptococcus asaccharolyticus. Anaerobic gram-negative curved rods were found in 11% of cases of non-specific vaginitis. A characteristic pattern of short chain organic acids was found on gas liquid chromatographic analysis of vaginal secretions in non-specific vaginitis. A succinate/lactate peak ratio of 0.3 or more was found in 75% of women with non-specific vaginitis (p less than 0.001). Clue cells, a positive amine test, a pH higher than 5.0, and the absence of lactobacilli on a Gram stained vaginal smear strongly correlated with non-specific vaginitis (p less than 0.001).
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000693:Anaerobiosis; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006089:Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006190:Haemophilus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007973:Leukorrhea / Q000378:metabolism; D010460:Peptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014621:Vagina / Q000032:analysis / Q000382:microbiology*; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D014678:Veillonella / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D002264:Carboxylic Acids