Microbiology of vaginal discharge in general practice

Three groups of women were examined by culture for Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida. Group I consisted of 427 women, who complained spontaneously of vaginal discharge, group II of 311 women who did not complain of vaginal discharge until questioned prior to gynaecological examination, and group III of 100 women who denied vaginal discharge. Groups I and II also had cultures made for Trichomonas vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoica. In group I with spontaneous complaints the one-year prevalence rate of vaginal discharge was 3.4%. Candida, Trichomonas vaginalis and Neisseria gonorrhoica were cultured in 24%, 8% and 1% respectively. Gardnerella vaginalis was cultured in half of the women in all groups. A characteristic discharge or a positive microscopic finding was related to high concentration of Gardnerella vaginalis. A characteristic discharge even without spontaneous complaints of vaginal discharge was related to a high prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis. Women complaining from discharge had higher concentrations of Gardnerella vaginalis than non-complaining. This leads to the conclusion that clinical disease may not be present unless concentrations of Gardnerella vaginalis have risen above some minimum level. The Gardnerella vaginalis syndrome defined by positive culture, clinical finding and microscopy was found in 20% of symptomatic women.