Short anovaginal distance a risk factor for recurrent vaginitis
Shakuntala Chhabra; Kalra, P.K.
Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases 26(1): 33-35
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-7184 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7292(00)00302-7Document Number: 258787
To determine the relationship between short anovaginal distance and recurrent vaginitis, anovaginal distance was measured in 50 married, nonpregnant women (aged 15-49 years) who presented with symptoms of vaginitis at a rural medical institute in Maharashtra, India . They also had a history of 3 or more episodes of vaginitis within the year. Fifty healthy control women were also included. Of the case patients, 36 (72%) had 3-6 episodes of vaginitis, while 12 (24%) had 6-9 episodes. In general, case patients had a shorter anovaginal distance compared to control women. Of the vaginal swab samples obtained from women with vaginitis, 17 were positive for Candida spp., 6 each were positive for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp. and Trichomonas vaginalis, 4 were positive for Enterobacter spp., 2 for Proteus spp., and one for Pseudomonas sp. It is concluded that shorter anovaginal distance facilitates the transfer of anorectal pathogens to the vagina, leading to recurrent vaginitis.