Molecular epidemiology of bacterial vaginosis and its association with genital micro-organisms in asymptomatic women

Introduction. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is dysbiosis associated with an increased risk of several sexually transmitted infections. It is primarily diagnosed via Gram staining, although molecular analyses have presented higher diagnostic accuracy. Aim. This study aimed to evaluate the molecular epidemiology of BV in asymptomatic women to determine its association with several commensal and pathogenic micro-organisms of the genitalia. Methodology. The prevalence of BV was investigated through semiquantitative assessment of 201 women recruited during their routine gynaecological inspection at an outpatient clinic in Tabasco, Mexico. Results. Women with BV showed an increased prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (P=0.021) and Mycoplasma hominis (P=0.001). Of the BV-associated micro-organisms, Gardnerella vaginalis was significantly associated with C. trachomatis (P=0.005) and/or Ureaplasma parvum (P=0.003), whereas Atopobium vaginae and Megasphaera type 1 correlated significantly with Mycoplasma hominis (P=0.001). No significant association was observed between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and BV, although there was increased prevalence of HPV59, HPV73, HPV52 and HPV58 in women displaying cervical cytological abnormalities. Conclusion. Identification of BV-associated micro-organisms via molecular analysis may help to distinguish recurrent cases from new infections and identify micro-organisms potentially associated with pharmacological resistance.

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