Variations in the vaginal bacterial flora: a preliminary report

Fourteen women had specimens collected from their nares, hands, vaginal vestibule, and vagina. Samples were taken the week before, during, and the week after menstruation during three menstrual cycles for a total of nine specimens from each location. Qualitative and quantitative studies were done on the vaginal specimens; the other specimens were examined specifically for Staphylococcus aureus. The premenstrual specimens averaged the highest number of bacteria (approximately 10(9)/mL) but the lowest number of different species (approximately 11). The menstrual specimens averaged the lowest total number of bacteria (approximately 4.0 x 10(7)/mL) but the highest average of different species (approximately 14). The highest rate of positive cultures was for the nares, 34%; followed by vaginal vestibule, 20%; vagina, 19%; and hands, 4%. The nine sequential location samples showed the following percentages of S. aureus: nares, 57%; hands, 29%; vaginal vestibule, 57%; and vagina, 64%.