A study of female genital swabs in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Objective:To detect some common microbial agents of vaginal discharge and improve the current syndromic management of abnormal vaginal discharge.Methods:A prospective study of female genital swabs collected from obstetrics and gynecology units of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital,Kano,Nigeria and an analysed of microscopy,culture and sensitivity in the medical microbiology and parasitology laboratory of this hospital were conducted from December 2007 to December 2008.Data on epidemiologic indices were collected from the patients,using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires.Results:Eight hundred and forty Candida species were detected,constituting 60%(n=840) of 1 400 female genital discharge samples of microbial etiology in a total of 2 000 female genital samples received.The distribution of vaginal candidiasis was tbe highest in young adults aged 21 to 30 years with 43%(n=360) of the total 840 cases. Pregnant women that presented with vaginal candidiasis constituted 40%(n=360) of the total 840 cases.Other risk groups included the immuno-suppression with 24%(n=202),group on hormonal therapy with 15%(n=126) and broad spectrum antibiotics users with 16%(n=134).Conclusions: The results show that Candida is the most common cause of vaginitis and vulvo-vaginal candidiasis followed by C.albicans in the young adults aged 21 to 30 years,pregnant mothers, immuno-suppression,contraceptive and broad spectrum antibiotic users.Proper management of vaginal candidiasis and vulvo-vaginal candidiasis is recommended especially among the risk groups in order to avoid complications and reduce HIV transmission.

Prevalence of pathogens of abnormal vaginal discharges in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of pathogens of abnormal vaginal discharges and to improve the current syndromic management of abnormal vaginal discharge.Methods:A prospective study of pathogens of abnormal vaginal discharge was carried out from December 2007 to December 2008.Samples of female genital swabs were collected from Obstetrics and Gynecology Units of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital,Kano,Nigeria,and analyzed by microscopy,culture and sensitivity test in Medical Microbiology Laboratory of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.Results:Microorganisms were detected in 70%(1 400) of a total 2 000 female genital swabs studied.Candida species peaked with 42.0%(840),followed by Gardnerella vaginalis,a pathogen of bacteria vaginosis with 26.0%.The distribution of abnormal vaginal discharge was highest in young adults aged from 21 to 30 years.Conclusions:The commonest Microorganisms of infective vaginal discharge were Candida species,followed by Gardnerella vaginalis,a pathogen of bacterial vaginosis.Vaginal discharge was prevalent among young adults. We recommend prevention,early diagnosis and prompt treatment of infected female,especially among the young,sexually active group in order to reduce the menace of HIV transmission.