Prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae in virginal women.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study was to determine the prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae in virginal women and to establish if nonpenetrative sexual activity is associated with these organisms.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to assess prevalence of G. vaginalis and A. vaginae in virginal women.


METHODS
Forty-four virginal female patients self-collected tampon specimens, which were tested for G. vaginalis and A. vaginae by polymerase chain reaction, and provided either brief or detailed information regarding sexual practices by self-administered questionnaire.


RESULTS
Twenty women (45%) had G. vaginalis and 3 (7%) A. vaginae detected. Among the 27 who provided detailed information, 12 (46%) had G. vaginalis and none had A. vaginae detected. G. vaginalis was significantly more likely to be detected in those who had participated in oral sex (odds ratio = 22; 95% confidence interval = 2.2-222) and hand-genital contact without penetration (P = 0.02), but not genital-genital contact.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that nonpenetrative intimate sexual contact is associated with carriage of G. vaginalis in virginal women.
Tabrizi
Sepehr N
SN
Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, The Royal Women's Hospital, 132 Grattan Street, Victoria 3053, Australia. Sepehr.Tabrizi@rch.org.au
Fairley
Christopher K
CK
Bradshaw
Catriona S
CS
Garland
Suzanne M
SM
D039903:Actinobacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012646:Self Administration; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology
D004269:DNA, Bacterial