[Bacteriological findings in patients with cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia]

In order to evaluate the cervical flora in patients with histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (grades I to III) the microbiologic results of 216 patients with CIN were compared with those of 100 symptom free controls. Gardnerella vaginalis combined with Mykoplasma spp. and Bacteroides spp. were found in 22% of the patients with dysplasia and in 5% of the control group. The difference was significant (p < 0.004). Microorganisms causing sexually transmitted diseases like Neisseria gonoroheae and Trichomonas vaginalis were not found. Chlamydia trachomatis was detected in 5% of all CIN groups. Comparing patients with CIN I, CIN II and CIN III, we did not notice any difference in their bacterial flora, wet smear or smell test. However the results of this study indicate that women with cervical dysplasia may have a higher prevalence of an altered cervical flora in comparison to controls.