Abstract
The objective of this work was to assess the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and genital mycoplasma colonization in 251 HIV-positive compared to 200 HIV-negative women at the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service of Saint Camille Medical Center Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). After revealing the cervix with a speculum, we collected swabs of vaginal discharge for the detection of pathogenic bacteria. Among HIV-positive and HIV-negative women, we identified respectively: Mycoplasma hominis (16.7% versus 5.5%); Ureaplasma urealyticum (16.3% versus 0.0%); co-infection M. hominis with U. urealyticum (13.14% versus 0.0%); Candida albicans (21.11% versus 41.5%); E. coli (9.96% versus 4.0%); and the presence of abundant vaginal discharge (27.5% versus 5.0%) respectively. The Nugent's score, utilized for the diagnosis of BV, was significantly higher in HIV-positive women (p < 0.001) associated with poor vaginal hygiene practices (p < 0.01) and no use of condoms (p < 0.01). Enterobacter, Klebsiella pneumonia, Klebsiella oxitocica, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Gardnerella vaginalis were also isolated, but in a low prevalence ranging from 0% to 5%. These results demonstrate that the HIV-positive women of Burkina Faso are frequently affected by BV and represent a reservoir for mycoplasma infection. Since these germs can lead to sterility and premature delivery, it is important to develop a policy of screening.
Highlights
The objective of this work was to assess the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and genital mycoplasma colonization in 251 HIV-positive compared to 200 HIV-negative women at the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service of Saint Camille Medical Center Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a poly-microbial syndrome characterised by a change in vaginal flora from a dominant population of Gram-positive lactobacilli to a gradual or total substitution with anaerobes such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella, Bacteroides and with other bacteria including Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma species, when they are found in large quantity [1]
BV appears to be common in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV infection is endemic, and it has been reported at high prevalence rates (20–49%) among women presenting with vaginal discharge to sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics [6,7,8]
Summary
The objective of this work was to assess the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and genital mycoplasma colonization in 251 HIV-positive compared to 200 HIV-negative women at the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service of Saint Camille Medical Center Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the HIV-positive women of Burkina Faso are frequently affected by BV and represent a reservoir for mycoplasma infection Since these germs can lead to sterility and premature delivery, it is important to develop a policy of screening. BV appears to be common in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV infection is endemic, and it has been reported at high prevalence rates (20–49%) among women presenting with vaginal discharge to STI clinics [6,7,8]. These rates are very much higher than those reported in industrialised countries [9,10]. It is not clear whether HIV infection predisposes to the BV, or if changes to the vaginal flora caused by BV enhance HIV
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