[Occurrence of bacterial vaginosis among abortion seekers]

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection during the fertile period. The clinical diagnosis is based on three of Amsel's four criteria: thin, grey-white discharge, vaginal fluid pH above 4.5, a fishy odour on addition of 10% potassium hydroxide solution to the vaginal fluid, and the presence of clue cells on a saline wet mount. A probably more sensitive indicator of the diagnosis is based on Gram-stain, where the normal lactobacillus-dominated vaginal flora is changed to the lactobacillus deficient flora of bacterial vaginosis. The condition is probably associated with higher risk of complications in connection with pregnancy and gynaecological surgery. A prospective study of bacterial vaginosis based on microscopy of Gram-stained smears was conducted among 168 women applying for first trimester abortion. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was 24% and of Chlamydia trachomatis 8.4%. Four patients (10.3%) in the vaginosis group were treated with antibiotics for certain or suspected postabortal endometritis, as against six patients (5.4%) in the group without bacterial vaginosis.