Balanoposthitis associated with Gardnerella vaginalis infection in men

Fourteen of 194 (7.2%) consecutive unselected men had positive culture results from genital swabs for Gardnerella vaginalis. A higher yield of isolates was obtained from preputial (93%) than from urethral swabs (64%). Of the 14 men, two had no detectable genital abnormality, eight non-gonococcal urethritis, and nine balanoposthitis. The urethral isolation rates for G vaginalis in men with and without non-gonococcal urethritis were not significantly different, but preputial isolation rates were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in men with balanoposthitis than in those without. The prevalence rate for G vaginalis in men with non-candidal balanoposthitis was 31%. In a second study, concomitant Bacteroides species were isolated in preputial swabs from nine of 12 (75%) men with G vaginalis-associated balanoposthitis and may play a role in its pathogenesis.