title: Diagnostic and therapeutic advancements for aerobic vaginitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aerobic vaginitis (AV) is a newly defined clinical entity that is distinct from candidiasis, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis (BV). Because of the poor recognition of AV, this condition can lead to treatment failures and is associated with severe complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, preterm birth and foetal infections.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review describes the diagnosis and treatment of AV and the relationship between AV and pregnancy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The characteristics of AV include severely depressed levels of lactobacilli, increased levels of aerobic bacteria and an inflamed vagina. The diagnosis is made by microscopy on wet mounts of fresh vaginal fluid, and some distinct clinical features are recognized. Vaginal suppositories that contain kanamycin or clindamycin have shown curative effects in nonpregnant women. Additionally, the application of topical probiotics can restore the vaginal flora and reduce the recurrence of AV. Clindamycin vaginal suppositories and probiotics may be a better choice for gravida with AV than metronidazole. AV requires prompt attention, and the early diagnosis and treatment of AV during pregnancy significantly improves perinatal outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is needed to define the pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria and standard treatment guidelines for AV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Cha
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Wenjuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Aiping
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Yingmei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Huiying
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zanjun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fengxia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xue
mesh_terms: D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole