Normal vaginal flora consists of a wide range of organisms including Lactobacillus species, streptococci, enterococci and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Anaerobes, such as Bacteroides species and anaerobic cocci, Gardnerella vaginalis, yeasts, coliforms, Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma species may also be present as part of the normal flora, but they have also been incriminated in vaginal infections.
Common Genital Infections;
- Vaginal candidosis occurs when alterations in the vaginal environment allow yeasts (which are often present as commensal organisms in the vagina), to proliferate.
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterised by an increase in anaerobes and a decrease in Lactobacillus species.
- Lancefield group B streptococcus normally colonises the vagina in many women. In pregnancy this organism can infect the amniotic fluid which can lead to neonatal sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. Trichomoniasis is caused by the flagellate protozoan, T. vaginalis, is almost always acquired through sexual contact. Presenting symptoms include an increased vaginal discharge, pruritus and dysuria. Swabs for Trichomonis investigation should be received into the lab as soon as possible after sampling. For the investigation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, endocervical or urethral swabs are the preferred specimens.
