Webcast available online for bacterial vaginosis
Listen to the online presentation of "It's Not Just the Pathogen Anymore: The Genital Microbiome and Implications for Sexually Transmitted Infections," the latest in the quarterly STD Prevention Science Series 2012 co-sponsored by the Division of STD Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association.
The quarterly series features lectures on cutting-edge issues by international scientists and program experts and is designed to deliver the latest research and best practices for STD prevention. Go to the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association web site, www.astda.org. Under "News & Events," select "STD Science Series."
Presenter for the current series offering is Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, professor of medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle. Marrazzo provides background on bacterial vaginosis (BV) and discusses recent developments in current understanding of the epidemiologic and microbiologic data that inform understanding of BV.
Bacterial vaginosis involves loss of the "normal" hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacilli and acquisition of complex bacterial communities. A common cause of vaginitis, BV increases women's risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and risk of STD/HIV acquisition. Recent evidence in populations at high risk for HIV acquisition suggests that BV increases affected women's risk of transmitting HIV to their male sex partners. While the etiology of BV is unclear, such sexual components as sex without a condom, multiple partners, sex with women, and sex with an uncircumcised male partner have been linked to the condition. Treatment failure is common and is facilitated by unprotected sex.
The presentation notes that while Gardnerella vaginalis plays a major role in BV, other BV-associated bacteria in the Clostridiales order are considerably more specific for BV and might predict BV persistence when detected pre-treatment.
Women with BV might have an abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Some women report a strong fish-like odor, especially after intercourse. Discharge, if present, is usually white or gray. Two different antibiotics, metronidazole or clindamycin, are recommended for treatment.
Listen to the online presentation of "It's Not Just the Pathogen Anymore: The Genital Microbiome and Implications for Sexually Transmitted Infections," the latest in the quarterly STD Prevention Science Series 2012 co-sponsored by the Division of STD Prevention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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