Gynecological Case Report
Can group B streptococci cause symptomatic vaginitis?
Article first published online: 26 JUL 1999
DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-0997(1999)7:4<206::AID-IDOG9>3.0.CO;2-6
Copyright © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
1098-0997/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=0a2d866896307c2c764123f20ffc8b9d0735df99 "Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Honig, E., Mouton, J.W. and van der Meijden, W.I. (1999), Can group B streptococci cause symptomatic vaginitis?. Infect. Dis. Obstet. Gynecol., 7: 206–209. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1098-0997(1999)7:4<206::AID-IDOG9>3.0.CO;2-6
Publication History
- Issue published online: 26 JUL 1999
- Article first published online: 26 JUL 1999
- Manuscript Accepted: 11 FEB 1999
- Manuscript Received: 19 OCT 1998
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- vaginal discharge;
- vulvar maceration;
- chlorhexidine
Abstract
Background
Maternal cervicovaginal colonization with Lancefield group B streptococci (GBS) is an important risk factor for neonatal morbidity and mortality. About 15% of women are carriers of GBS. Usually, they are asymptomatic.
Cases
We describe two patients with symptomatic vaginitis for which no apparent cause was found. Both patients were heavily colonized with GBS. After antibiotic treatment, both became asymptomatic and culture negative, but after recolonization with GBS, symptoms resumed. This phenomenon was repeatedly observed. After emergence of resistance to antibiotics, local application of chlorhexidine appeared to be the only useful treatment.
Conclusion
We hypothesize that GBS-vaginitis may be a possible disease entity. Although at present it is not clear why some patients become symptomatic, we speculate that the immunologic response is somehow selectively hampered in such patients. Infect. Dis. Obstet. Gynecol. 7:206–209, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.