Bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy: a current view on diagnosis and therapy (literature review)

Abstract

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most prevalent lower genital tract disease in women of reproductive age (both pregnant and non-pregnant) and the most common cause of vaginal discharge and foul odor from the genital tract. To date, there is a lot of literature describing many different approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of BV during pregnancy. BV is common, and its precise prevalence varies widely depending on the patient population. Studies confirm that the prevalence of BV among pregnant women is the same as in the population of non-pregnant women, and ranges from 6 to 32%. The link between BV and a patient’s ethnicity, smoking, sexual behavior and douching was established. BV is more prevalent among African American women, smokers, sexually active women compared to virgins and those who use douching. Diagnosis of BV is based on clinical symptoms and the results of microbiological examination. Diagnostic criteria are the same for pregnant and non-pregnant women. If BV is confirmed, treat-ment is indicated. In most international guidelines on sexually transmitted infections, the use of either metronidazole 500 mg orally 2 times a day for 7 days, or clindamycin 300 mg orally 2 times a day for 7 days are recommended for the prevention of adverse obstetric outcomes. BV is considered as the risk factor for adverse obstetric outcomes, such as premature birth, premature rupture of membranes, spontaneous abortion, chorioamnionitis and postpartum infections, such as endometritis and infectious compli-cations in the area of the postoperative wound after cesarean section. Pregnant women with symptoms of BV are advised to be screened and treated to eliminate the symptoms. Treatment with oral or local antibiotics is acceptable to achieve recovery (cure) in pregnant women with a symptomatic course of BV and a low risk of adverse obstetric outcomes. Women without symptoms of BV and women without identified risk factors for preterm birth should not be routinely screened and treated for BV, while patients with an increased risk for premature birth may benefit from routine screening and treatment for BV.