Occurrence and Clinical Characteristics of Vaginitis among Women of Reproductive Age in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Vaginitis is an important public health problem globally. It is associated with gynaecological and obstetric complications. Vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis are mainly responsible for vaginitis. The aim of this study is to determine the occurrence, clinical characteristics and associated risk factors of vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis among women of reproductive age attending Primary Health Care centres in Lagos Nigeria. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 258 women with genital complaints after obtaining their informed written consent between May 2017 and March 2018. Structured questionnaires were administered and high vaginal swabs were collected for laboratory examination. The results were analysed with descriptive statistics, chi-square and simple logistic regression. Results: Out of the 210 (81.4%) of the women with one or more vaginal infections, 105 (50.0%), 26 (12.4%) had bacterial vaginosis, and vulvovaginal candidiasis respectively while 78 (37.1%) had both vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Only 1 (0.5%) participant had trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis. History of abortion and age below 25 years were associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis while pregnancy, history of miscarriage, age at first sexual activity and discharge were associated with bacterial vaginosis. Itching was associated with both vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Conclusion: This study revealed vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis as important cause of genital complaints among reproductive age women in Lagos. Health education, robust diagnosis and early treatment are needed in order to reduce the associated risk factors, disease burden and complications.

Identification and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Uropathogenic Bacteria from Sexually Active Women with Bacterial Vaginosis

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) continue to pose tremendous health concerns and require appropriate use of antibiotics for effective case management. This study determined the prevalence, etiology and antibiotic resistance profile of uropathogenic bacteria isolated from sexually active women with BV in Lagos Nigeria. Method: A total of 258 sexually active women presenting with gynaecological complaints at the maternal and child unit of twenty Primary Health Care Centres in Lagos Nigeria from May 2017 to March 2018 were consecutively enrolled with consent. Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed based on Amsel criteria. Midstream urine samples were collected aseptically, analyzed for bacterial pathogens and antibiotic susceptibility using standard microbiological methods. Results: BV was diagnosed in 184 (71.3%) with 69.2% also having UTI. Ninety four (36.4%) had UTI predominantly caused by Gram negative bacteria (96.8%). The organisms isolated were Escherichia coli 79 (84.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 5 (5.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 4 (4.3%), Proteus mirabilis 3 (3.2%) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus 3 (3.2%). The pathogens elicited high resistance (66.7% - 100%) to tetracycline, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, nitrofurantoin and cephalosporins, and moderate resistance (50%) to ofloxacin by P. aeruginosa strains. The isolates were susceptible (100%) to piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) was observed among 97.8% of the bacteria isolated. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate high occurrence of UTI caused by MDR pathogens among sexually active women with BV with emerging evidence of poor clinical utility of nitrofurantoin and other commonly used first-line antibiotics against UTI. Further studies on non-bacterial aetiology of BV, molecular characterization of S. saprophyticus and Gram Negative Bacteria UTI are recommended.