RESUMO
Vaginal swab from 190 patients aged between 15 to 45 years with the complaint of excessive and foul smelling vaginal discharge and 50 healthy controls of comparable age were studied. Different diagnostic techniques used for the detection of G.vaginalis were compared. Antibiogram of isolated G.vaginalis was also performed to determine the drug sensitivity pattern. G. vaginalis were isolated from 74 patients (38.9%) and from 6 controls (12%). The rate of isolation of G. vaginalis in the vaginal swabs of patients is significantly higher (p < 0.001) as compared to controls. Vaginal flora in 91% of G. vaginalis positive patients were Gardnerella morphotype and clue cells were found in vaginal discharge in 85% of these cases. In contrast, vaginal flora of 92% control group were Lactobacilli morphotype N and no clue cell was detected. No pus cell was observed in the vaginal discharge of 66 (89.2%) of 74 patients infected with G. vaginalis. Amine test was positive in 81% G. vaginalis positive patients. The test was negative in all the control cases. Significance of these findings were discussed in detail.