Gardnerella vaginalis (Gardnerellosis): PCR-qualitative determination (s/g scraping)

Rules for preparing patients for a vaginal scraping in women

– Abstain from sexual intercourse for 3 days.
– Refrain from alcohol and spicy food for 3 days.
– Submit the material for examination before, or no earlier than 14 days after the end of the course of medical therapy (antibacterial and antifungal drugs), unless otherwise recommended by the doctor.
– During the day, refrain from using local dosage forms (suppositories, ointments, douches, contraceptives, etc.) and intimate hygiene products containing bactericidal additives.
– If the scraping will be performed from the urethra, do not urinate for at least 3 hours before taking the material.
– The material cannot be donated during menstruation (only 3 days after its end).

Rules for preparing patients for urinalysis in men

– Abstain from sexual intercourse for 3 days.
– Refrain from alcohol and spicy food for 3 days.
– Submit the material for examination before, or no earlier than 14 days after the end of the course of medical therapy (antibacterial and antifungal drugs), unless otherwise recommended by the doctor.
– Refrain from using local medications and procedures during the day.
– Immediately before taking the test, refrain from urinating for 2-3 hours.

Gardnerella vaginalis and bacterial vaginosis (gardnerellosis) are conditions that are often associated with changes in the vaginal microbiota and can cause various symptoms and complications. In this text, we will review the main aspects of gardnerellosis, its diagnosis and treatment methods.

Gardnerella vaginalis:

Gardnerella vaginalis is a bacterium that is normally present in small amounts in the vaginal flora. However, when its number increases and causes an imbalance in the microflora, bacterial vaginosis occurs.

Symptoms of gardnerellosis:

1. Unpleasant smell: One of the main symptoms of gardnerellosis is an unpleasant ammonia odor, which may intensify after sexual intercourse or vaginal discharge.
2. Changes in vaginal discharge: Usually the discharge becomes thin, gray or whitish, and may have a fishy odor.
3. Redness and itching: External symptoms such as itching and redness around the vagina are possible.
4. Discomfort when urinating: Some women may experience pain or discomfort when urinating.

Diagnosis of gardnerellosis:

Diagnosis of gardnerellosis includes several methods:

1. Clinical examination and symptoms: A doctor may initially diagnose gardnerellosis based on the clinical signs and symptoms that the patient presents.
2. Laboratory tests: Usually, the doctor will collect a vaginal swab for laboratory testing. This allows the presence of Gardnerella and other bacteria that can cause vaginal infections to be determined.
3. pH measurement: Vaginal pH can change with Gardnerella. Normally, vaginal pH in adult women is acidic (less than 4.5), but with bacterial vaginosis it can become more neutral or alkaline.

Treatment of gardnerellosis:

Treatment of gardnerellosis includes:

1. Antibiotics: Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, such as metronidazole or clindamycin, to treat gardnerellosis. The patient should take the antibiotics as prescribed and complete the entire course of treatment, even if symptoms disappear early.
2. Probiotics: After completing a course of antibiotics, it may be useful to take probiotics to help restore normal vaginal microflora.
3. Precautions: To prevent recurrence of gardnerellosis, it is important to follow hygiene rules, avoid excessive use of antiseptics, and follow your doctor's recommendations.

Bacterial vaginosis and gardnerellosis are common female infections, and timely diagnosis and treatment are important for maintaining a woman's health. Regular visits to the gynecologist and maintaining personal hygiene will help prevent this disease.