What is Gardnerella vaginalis and how is it treated?
Gardnerella vaginalis is a bacteria that coexists alongside other bacteria in your vagina to keep it infection-free. When too much gardnerella bacteria grows, you can develop an infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is the most common vaginal infection and can be easily treated with antibiotics. What is gardnerella vaginalis?
What is the difference between bacterial vaginosis and Gardnerella vaginalis?
Instead, think of Gardnerella vaginalis as one of many bacteria that can lead to this common vaginal infection. Bacterial vaginosis is a treatable condition caused by an overgrowth of bad bacteria in your vagina. Gardnerella vaginalis isn't a condition in itself, but rather a species of bacteria that can contribute to the development of BV.
What are the symptoms of Gardnerella vaginalis?
The symptoms of discomfort or the feeling of constant wetness can be very annoying. Since it usually clears up on its own, this infection is not a cause of worry. However, some women, in particular, should consult their gynecologist in case they experience symptoms of Gardnerella Vaginalis.
What is the PMID for Gardnerella vaginalis?
PMID: 1498765 Gardnerella vaginalis: characteristics, clinical considerations, and controversies. B W Catlin Author informationCopyright and License informationDisclaimer
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What is the purpose of gardnerella DNA probes?
Doctors used tools like gardnerella DNA probes and vaginal pathogen tests (vag path for gardnerella) to measure the prevalence of Gardnerella and diagnose bacterial vaginosis. In the 70 years since that initial discovery, the scientific thinking has shifted.
How long does it take to cure BV?
Bacterial Vaginosis Treatment. BV treatment (or what was formerly and inaccurately known as Gardnerella vaginalis treatment) consists of a five- to seven-day regimen of antibiotics, prescribed either vaginally or orally. Metronidazole (Flagyl) and clindamycin (Cleocin) are two common options, prescribed as 150mg, 300mg, or 500mg tablets.
What is BV testing?
Testing and Diagnosis. BV Treatment. Prevention. It’s a tongue twister of a term, but an important one: Gardnerella vaginalis is the scientific name for a species of bacteria that lives inside your body, working alongside trillions of other microorganisms to keep your vaginal flora (that’s code for the bacteria that typically live in ...
What causes BV in women?
Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance in vaginal bacteria. One of the leading causes of BV is a bacteria known. Around 30% of women will develop BV at some point during their pre-menopausal years, and some people are unlucky enough to get it on a recurring basis. BV is not technically considered a sexually transmitted infection, ...
What bacteria are responsible for BV?
Research shows that bacteria like Atopobium, Mobiluncus, and Prevotella (among others) also contribute to the development of BV. While it used to be common practice to refer to BV as a Gardnerella vaginalis infection, you won’t hear those terms used interchangeably nowadays.
Why does my vagina smell so bad?
The smell is often stronger after sexual activity and menses or anything that can increase the vaginal pH. BV can also cause itching and discomfort around your vulva and vaginal opening. The odor is really what distinguishes BV from other types of vaginal conditions like yeast infections or STIs.
Is Gardnerella a vaginal infection?
Not exactly. “Gardnerella vaginalis is a type of bacteria that can be found in the normal vaginal makeup,” says Margaret Sullivan, M.D., OB/GYN at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.
What is the best treatment for Gardnerella?
Your Gardnerella Vaginalis infection can be easily treated using antibiotics. Some commonly prescribed antibiotics include Metronidazole and Tinidazole. Your doctor might also prescribe you some vaginal cream or gel to alleviate your symptoms. Clindamycin is a commonly prescribed cream.
Why is Gardnerella important?
The Gardnerella bacteria are important for the vagina to maintain its overall balance. It maintains the vaginal pH. However, there can be times when these bacteria increase in number and disrupt the optimal vaginal environment. When this happens, these bacteria contribute to the development of bacterial vaginosis.
What age group is affected by bacterial vaginosis?
More importantly, over 30% of women between the ages of 15-44 are affected by bacterial vaginosis. Among a variety of bacterial vaginosis, infections are Gardnerella Vaginosis. Gardnerella Vaginalis occurs in case of a change in the environment of your vagina.
Can Gardnerella cause premature birth?
However, there are some women in particular who should consult their gynecologist in case they experience symptoms of Gardnerella Vaginalis. Pregnant women are usually at a high risk since this infection can increase the possibility of premature birth.
Can Gardnerella cause white discharge?
In case you are suffering from Gardnerella, it usually isn’t a cause of concern. 50% of people who have Gardnerella don’t even notice it, as they don’t display any symptoms. Those who do experience symptoms can feel mild discomfort and a white or gray discharge from the vagina.
Can condoms cause Gardnerella?
Using strong and scented detergents to wash your undergarments is a common risk factor. Usage of a condom can diminish the chances of developing Gardnerella Vaginalis. Research indicates that douching or excessive cleaning can also be responsible since it affects your pH levels and kills the bacteria.
Can bacterial vaginosis be treated?
When this happens, these bacteria contribute to the development of bacterial vaginosis. You can easily treat it. But, it has a tendency of recurring. The symptoms of discomfort or the feeling of constant wetness can be very annoying. Since it usually clears up on its own, this infection is not a cause of worry.
What is Gardnerella vaginalis?
Gardnerella vaginalis is a type of bacteria that frequently causes a vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge in women who haven’t entered menopause.
How common is Gardnerella vaginalis?
According to the CDC, bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal condition that affects women between the ages of 15 to 44 years old.
Symptoms of Gardnerella vaginalis
Gardnerella vaginalis infections are frequently asymptomatic; in fact, it has been estimated that nearly 84 percent of all cases of BV don’t cause any symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of BV caused by Gardnerella vaginalis can include:
When to see a doctor
It’s always important to seek medical assistance if you experience any new symptoms affecting your reproductive system, especially if you’ve had unprotected sex recently.
Treatment for Gardnerella vaginalis
If your tests come back positive for BV, the good news is that a simple antibiotic treatment will usually eradicate the infection. According to the CDC ’s treatment guidelines, treating BV can reduce your risk of getting other STDs, including:
General Information
Causes
- Bacterial vaginosis (gardnerella vaginalis) occurs as an imbalance in the composition of the natural microflora of the vagina, when “non-physiological” types of microorganisms, primarily gardnerella, begin to dominate. External and internal factors can disrupt the normal microflora of the genitourinary organs. Among the external factors contributing to the development of gardne…
Pathogenesis
- Normally, more than 15 types of microorganisms are found in the vagina of an adult woman. Acidophilic lactobacilli predominate, a smaller part are bifidobacteria (10%), peptostreptococci (~ 5%). Lactoflora, thanks to lactic acid, supports the acidic environment of the genital mucosa, which performs local protective and immune functions. Anaerobic bacteria (mobiluncus, bacter…
Symptoms
- Gardnerella vaginalis has a course somewhat similar to other inflammatory diseases of the genitals in women. With this disease, there are: grayish vaginal discharge (homogeneous, pasty, with an unpleasant “fishy” smell); burning, itching, discomfort during urination and sexual contact. Disease is accompanied by inflammatory changes in the vagina, urethra and cervix. When using …
Diagnostics
- To confirm the diagnosis of gardnerella vaginalis, a woman’s vaginal swabs are taken at a gynecologist’s consultation. In the diagnosis of gardnerella vaginalis, it is not so much the presence of gardnerella that matters, as their number and the ratio of microorganisms in the vaginal secretions. Gardnerella are present in the vaginal flora of most healthy women without t…
Treatment
- Early and accurate diagnosis of gardnerella vaginalis allows its timely treatment. The methods of therapy used by modern gynecology make it possible to achieve the patient’s recovery and avoid the development of complications, but they do not guarantee the absence of relapses of the disease in the future. Therapeutic treatment should eliminate the ...
Prevention
- Preventative measures aimed at eliminating the causes of bacterial vaginosis will help to avoid the development of gardnerella vaginalis and its relapses. The widespread prevalence and danger of the consequences of gardnerella vaginalis require not only immediate treatment of the disease, but also its regular household and medical prevention. Women are recommended to: 1. have a p…