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A prospective study of genital infections in a family-planning clinic: 1. Microbiological findings and their association with vaginal symptoms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

T. Riordan ,
M. E. Macaulay ,
J. M. James ,
P. A. Leventhall ,
E. M. Morris ,
B. R. Neal ,
J. Rowland  and
B. M. Evans
T. Riordan
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Withington Hospital, Manchester, M20 8LR
M. E. Macaulay
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Withington Hospital, Manchester, M20 8LR
J. M. James
Affiliation:
Community Health Services, Central Manchester Health Authority, Darbishire House, 293a Upper Brook Street, Manchester M13 OFW
P. A. Leventhall
Affiliation:
Community Health Services, Central Manchester Health Authority, Darbishire House, 293a Upper Brook Street, Manchester M13 OFW
E. M. Morris
Affiliation:
Community Health Services, Central Manchester Health Authority, Darbishire House, 293a Upper Brook Street, Manchester M13 OFW
B. R. Neal
Affiliation:
Community Health Services, Central Manchester Health Authority, Darbishire House, 293a Upper Brook Street, Manchester M13 OFW
J. Rowland
Affiliation:
Community Health Services, Central Manchester Health Authority, Darbishire House, 293a Upper Brook Street, Manchester M13 OFW
B. M. Evans
Affiliation:
Community Health Services, Central Manchester Health Authority, Darbishire House, 293a Upper Brook Street, Manchester M13 OFW
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Summary

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A prospective study of genital infection was conducted in four inner-city family–planning clinics. Fifteen per cent of routine attenders had symptoms and signs of vaginal infection and many more women attended primarily because of symptoms. Among the women with both signs and symptoms, 70% had positive laboratory findings, Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans and bacterial vaginosis being equally prevalent. Measurement of vaginal pH in the clinic was the single most useful clinical finding for directing empirical therapy. Among patients with a discharge confirmed on examination and an abnormally high pH, 72% had either T. vaginalis or bacterial vaginosis. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated from 4% of women with, and 1% of those without, symptoms. We believe that it is worthwhile to investigate patients presenting to family-planning clinics with vaginal symptoms. No single specimen was found ideal for all pathogens, a cervical swab is better for gonococci and also for T. vaginalis but a vaginal swab is needed for Candida and bacterial vaginosis.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 104 , Issue 1 , February 1990 , pp. 47 - 53
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

References

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