Group A Streptococcal Vulvitis in Adult Women: Clinical Features and Association With Psoriasis

Group A streptococcus (GAS) vulvitis is rare, mainly reported in association with vaginitis. We examined the clinical features of GAS vulvitis in adults, the presence of other infected sites, and its association with dermatological conditions.

We retrospectively analyzed the medical files and photographs of adult patients with bacteriologically confirmed GAS vulvitis seen at 3 private clinics. Coexisting infected sites, associated dermatological conditions, and bacteriological results for the husbands of 3 patients were examined.

Nineteen patients (mean age = 52.2 [range = 23-83] years) with vulvar GAS infections were identified. The vulvar symptoms consisted of pain (11 cases), pruritus (9), burning (4), and discharge (10). The predominant physical feature was bilateral erythema, mainly located on the labia minora and the inner aspect of the labia majora. This erythema was associated with oozing (3), edema (6), or fissures (6). Seventeen patients had an associated vaginal infection, which was asymptomatic in 7 cases; anal infections were present in 9 cases. The following 10 patients had associated dermatological conditions: psoriasis (6), lichen sclerosus (2), Paget disease (1), or vitiligo (1). Two (one each from the throat and penis) of the 3 bacteriological specimens taken from the 3 husbands were GAS positive.

In most adult women, GAS vulvitis is associated with a vaginal infection that may be asymptomatic. A bilateral, oozing, and edematous or fissured erythema involving the vulvar or anovulvar area is suggestive of GAS vulvitis. The association with psoriasis and the benefits of screening household members and sexual partners deserves further attention.