Evaluation of vaginal microflora in patients infected with HIV
Mascellino, M.T.; Iona, E.; Iegri, F.; Catania, S.; Trinchieri, V.; Oliva, P.; Amenta, L.; Revérberi, L.; Sorice, F.
Microbiologica 14(4): 343-349
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0391-5352 PMID: 1775091 Document Number: 384691
HIV infection is thought to exacerbate the virulence of normal saprophytic vaginal microflora. We studied the vaginal ecosystem of HIV patients to detect the quantitative and qualitative variation of vaginal microorganisms. 15 patients (5 with AIDS and 10 with ARC) were investigated. Vaginal candidiasis was more frequent in this group than in the control groups. Gardnerella was present in 60% of patients generally in association with anaerobic bacteria and Mycoplasma. Among anaerobia, Bacteroides sp and other Gram-negative rods were the most common bacteria. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was absent in all patients tested. Chlamydia trachomatis was recovered in two out of the 15 HIV-positive patients. Aerobic Gram-negative flora was 100-fold that of the control group and anaerobic Gram-negative flora 10-fold.