Gardnerella vaginalis

Gardnerella vaginalis - a special kind of anaerobic microorganisms, which in a small amount make up the microflora of the vagina. For a long time it was believed that an increase in the number of gardnerella provokes the development of bacterial vaginosis in women. However, more recently, recent studies have been conducted that reject the direct involvement of the microbe in the development of this disease. However, scientists dispute the fact that Gardnerella vaginalis is a specific marker of bacterial vaginosis.

Such a conclusion was made on the basis of data on the vital activity of the microorganism, namely: with rapid multiplication of gardnerella in female secretions , a distinct fishy smell appears, a test with 10% KOH in this situation is always positive, a "key cells" cluster can be detected in the smear.

All this really gives the right to talk about the direct association (association) of vaginosis with a gardnerella infection. If it were not for the following facts:

• Not all women with bacterial vaginosis have Gardnerella vaginalis;
• In healthy women, a gardnerella is found in the vaginal secretion (approximately in 25%), provided there is a sufficient number of lactobacilli.

To date, wardrelierism is considered a separate nosological disease, with a characteristic clinical picture, methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Ways of transferring the wardrobe

1. The sex route of transmission of this infection is the most common. It is interesting that the microbe can be transmitted both in unisexual and in same-sex contacts. For example, it is possible to detect gardnerella in rinses of the rectum, oral cavity.
2. The transplacental pathway of infection is the most dangerous for both women and children. Gardnerella vaginalis penetrates into the amniotic fluid to the baby, thereby interfering with its development, and can sometimes cause a miscarriage.
3. The everyday and contact way of transferring gardnerella still causes a lot of controversy and discussion, but today it is not excluded from the list of possible ways of transmission of infection.

Clinical picture of the disease

Discharge from the genital tract becomes abundant and has a grayish-white color. In doing so, they produce a fetid smell of rotten fish.

Unpleasant sensations and pulling pains in the lower abdomen disturb many women with gardnerellez. However, as such, the itching or burning sensation of women is not noticed, its presence is complained only in the case when a secondary infection joins.

Sexual contact can be unpleasant and painful due to inflammation of the vaginal mucosa.

Diagnosis of the disease

The main way to detect this disease is the detection of Gardnerella vaginalis DNA in the patient's blood or antibodies to them. With the help of this technique it is possible not only to determine the disease, but also to detect the once transferred form of it.

Also, immunoassay and fluorescence are widely used for diagnosis. It is worth noting that the initial merit in the diagnosis of Gardnerella belongs to the collection of anamnesis and examination of the patient.

Gardnerella vaginalis: treatment

The first stage of treatment is a decrease in the number of gardnerella in the secretion of the vagina. To do this, use the newest antibacterial drugs (fluoroquinolones, macrolides), then you need to increase the number of lactobacilli, which when gardnerella multiplies, and without them it is impossible to restore normal microflora. To do this, you can use lactobacterin.

At the last stage, it is necessary to strengthen the general immunity of a woman so that the conditionally pathogenic flora does not develop.

I would like to emphasize that the treatment of all infections is very specific and largely depends on the patient. Do not experiment with your health and get treatment yourself, better consult a doctor!