Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and the risk of incident gonococcal or chlamydial genital infection in a predominantly black population.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess in prospective data whether bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with gonococcal/chlamydial cervicitis.


METHODS
A total of 1179 women at high risk for sexually transmitted infections was followed for a median of 3 years. Every 6 to 12 months, vaginal swabs were obtained for Gram stain, culture of microflora, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. A Gram stain score of 7 to 10 based on the Nugent criteria categorized BV.


RESULTS
Baseline BV was associated with concurrent gonococcal/chlamydial infection (adjusted odds ratio, 2.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.81-4.42). However, the association between BV and subsequent, incident gonococcal/chlamydial genital infection was not significant (adjusted relative risk [RR], 1.52; 95% CI, 0.74-3.13). Dense growth of pigmented, anaerobic Gram-negative rods (adjusted RR, 1.93; 95% CI, 0.97-3.83) appeared to elevate the risk for newly acquired gonococcal/chlamydial genital infection.


CONCLUSIONS
BV was common among a predominantly black group of women with concurrent gonococcal/chlamydial infection but did not elevate the risk for incident infection.
University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. repro@pitt.edu
Roberta B
RB
Ness
Kevin E
KE
Kip
David E
DE
Soper
Sharon
S
Hillier
Carol A
CA
Stamm
Richard L
RL
Sweet
Peter
P
Rice
Holley E
HE
Richter
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006069:Gonorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D001741:Black or African American