Bacterial Vaginosis, Vulvovaginal
Candidiasis, and Trichomoniasis
What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis? - Answer Vaginal discharge, with or
without vaginal odor and pruritus
What are the signs of bacterial vaginosis? - Answer Homogenous, frothy discharge,
elevated vaginal pH, and a positive whiff test
What is the whiff test? - Answer Detection of a fishy odor (caused by amines) when
vaginal secretions are placed in 10% KOH
What is seen on the wet mount in bacterial vaginosis? - Answer Clue cells and the
absence of leukocytes, trichomonads, and the normal flora of rods
What are clue cells? - Answer Squamous epithelial cells with ragged borders and
stippling caused by colonization with bacteria
How is the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis made? - Answer At least 3 of the following
are required: 1. Thin homogeneous vaginal discharge 2. Elevated vaginal pH (>5) 3.
Clue cells 4. Positive whiff test
What is the treatment for bacterial vaginosis? - Answer Metronidazole, 500 mg by
mouth twice daily for 7 days
What is the incidence of vulvovaginal candidiasis? - Answer Three-fourths of women
suffer from at least 1 episode in their lifetime, and nearly half of these women have
recurrent episodes.
What are the risk factors for vulvovaginal candidiasis? - Answer Oral contraceptive use,
recent antibiotic therapy, corticosteroid therapy, pregnancy, poorly controlled DM, and
tight-fitting undergarments. Infection with HIV has been associated with an increased
incidence of persistent or recurring infections.
What organisms are most commonly associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis? -
Answer Candida albicans (80%-90%). Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata also
cause vaginitis.
What is the cardinal symptom of vulvovaginal candidiasis? - Answer Pruritus
What are other symptoms and signs of vulvovaginal candidiasis? - Answer External
dysuria; dyspareunia; premenstrual onset; vulvar erythema; and cheesy, white, thick
vaginal discharge
How is the diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis made? - Answer Identification of
pseudohyphae in vaginal secretions mixed with 10% KOH confirms the diagnosis.
Vaginal pH is normal (<4.5).
Candidiasis, and Trichomoniasis
What are the symptoms of bacterial vaginosis? - Answer Vaginal discharge, with or
without vaginal odor and pruritus
What are the signs of bacterial vaginosis? - Answer Homogenous, frothy discharge,
elevated vaginal pH, and a positive whiff test
What is the whiff test? - Answer Detection of a fishy odor (caused by amines) when
vaginal secretions are placed in 10% KOH
What is seen on the wet mount in bacterial vaginosis? - Answer Clue cells and the
absence of leukocytes, trichomonads, and the normal flora of rods
What are clue cells? - Answer Squamous epithelial cells with ragged borders and
stippling caused by colonization with bacteria
How is the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis made? - Answer At least 3 of the following
are required: 1. Thin homogeneous vaginal discharge 2. Elevated vaginal pH (>5) 3.
Clue cells 4. Positive whiff test
What is the treatment for bacterial vaginosis? - Answer Metronidazole, 500 mg by
mouth twice daily for 7 days
What is the incidence of vulvovaginal candidiasis? - Answer Three-fourths of women
suffer from at least 1 episode in their lifetime, and nearly half of these women have
recurrent episodes.
What are the risk factors for vulvovaginal candidiasis? - Answer Oral contraceptive use,
recent antibiotic therapy, corticosteroid therapy, pregnancy, poorly controlled DM, and
tight-fitting undergarments. Infection with HIV has been associated with an increased
incidence of persistent or recurring infections.
What organisms are most commonly associated with vulvovaginal candidiasis? -
Answer Candida albicans (80%-90%). Candida tropicalis and Candida glabrata also
cause vaginitis.
What is the cardinal symptom of vulvovaginal candidiasis? - Answer Pruritus
What are other symptoms and signs of vulvovaginal candidiasis? - Answer External
dysuria; dyspareunia; premenstrual onset; vulvar erythema; and cheesy, white, thick
vaginal discharge
How is the diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis made? - Answer Identification of
pseudohyphae in vaginal secretions mixed with 10% KOH confirms the diagnosis.
Vaginal pH is normal (<4.5).
