Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the commonest cause of abnormal discharge in women of childbearing age.
The reported prevalence has varied from 5% in a group of asymptomatic college students to as high as 50% of women in rural Uganda. A prevalence of 12% was found in pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in the United Kingdom, and of 30% in women undergoing termination of pregnancy.
Lactobacilli are the dominant bacteria in the healthy vagina. The pH is maintained below 4.5, and there are low levels of other bacteria. In BV the pH of vaginal fluid is elevated above 4.5 and up to 6.0. Lactobacilli may be present, but the flora is dominated by many anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria, with concentrations up to a thousand-fold greater than normal. Conventional culture techniques identified Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella spp., Mycoplasma hominis, and Mobiluncus spp. as those most commonly found. Recent studies using molecular techniques have identified many other species including Atopobium vaginalis, Clostridiales spp. (BV 1-3), Leptotrichia spp., Sneathia spp. A biofilm consisting mainly of Gardnerella and Atopobium has been described more recently, implicating these two species as critical in the aetiology. There is debate about whether BV is merely an imbalance in vaginal ecology, or is initiated as a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Risk factors include:
Vaginal douching
Receptive cunnilingus
Black race
Recent change of sex partner
Smoking
Presence of an STI e.g. chlamydia or herpes
Clinical Features
Symptoms
Offensive fishy smelling vaginal discharge
Not associated with soreness, itching, or irritation
Many women (approximately 50%) are asymptomatic
Signs
Thin, white, homogeneous discharge, coating the walls of the vagina and vestibule.
BV is not usually associated with signs of inflammation
Diagnosis
Two approaches are available:
1) Gram stained vaginal smear, evaluated with the Hay/Ison criteria (recommended by Bacterial Special Interest group of BASHH) (C) or the Nugent criteria
The Hay/Ison criteria are defined as follows:
grade 1 (Normal): Lactobacillus morphotypes predominate
grade 2 (Intermediate): Mixed flora with some Lactobacilli present, but Gardnerella or Mobiluncus morphotypes also present
grade 3 (BV): Predominantly Gardnerella and/or Mobiluncus morphotypes. Few or absent Lactobacilli.
There are additional grades which have not been correlated with clinical features:
grade 0: No bacteria present
grade 4 Grampositive cocci predominate.
2) Amsel’s criteria
At least three of the four criteria are present for the diagnosis to be confirmed.
(1) Thin, white, homogeneous discharge
(2) Clue cells on microscopy of wet mount
(3) pH of vaginal fluid >4.5
(4) Release of a fishy odour on adding alkali (10% KOH)
Management
General advice
Patients should be advised to avoid vaginal douching, use of shower gel, and use of antiseptic agents or shampoo in the bath (grade of recommendation C)
Treatment is indicated for:
Symptomatic women (A)
Women undergoing some surgical procedures (A)
Women who do not volunteer symptoms may elect to take treatment if offered
They may report a beneficial change in their discharge following treatment.(C)
Recommended regimens
Metronidazole 400mg twice
daily for 5-7 days (A)
Or
Metronidazole 2 g single dose (A).
or
Intravaginal metronidazole gel (0.75%) once daily for 5 days (A)
or
Intravaginal clindamycin cream (2%) once daily for 7 days (A)
Alternative regimens
Tinidazole 2G single dose (A).
Or
Clindamycin 300 mg twice daily for 7 days (A).
Caution - avoid alcohol with both oral and topical metronidazole
Pregnancy and breast feeding
Symptomatic pregnant women should be treated in the usual way (B).
There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine treatment of asymptomatic pregnant women who attend a GU clinic and are found to have BV.
Women with additional risk factors for preterm birth may benefit from treatment before 20 week gestation.
Follow up
A test of cure is not required if symptoms resolve
For recurrent bacterial vaginitis see full guideline
BV 2012