Gardnerella vaginalis is a type of bacteria commonly found in the human vaginal flora. It is known for its role in bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition characterized by an imbalance of the normal vaginal bacteria. Here are some key points about Gardnerella vaginalis:
1. **Bacterial Vaginosis**: G. vaginalis is one of the main bacteria involved in BV, which is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age. BV occurs when there is a decrease in the number of beneficial lactobacilli bacteria and an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria, including G. vaginalis.
2. **Symptoms of BV**: Symptoms may include a thin, grayish-white vaginal discharge with a fishy odor, vaginal itching, and burning during urination. However, some women with BV may not experience any symptoms.
3. **Diagnosis**: BV can be diagnosed through clinical examination and laboratory tests. The Amsel criteria and Nugent scoring are commonly used methods. The Amsel criteria involve the presence of specific signs during a pelvic exam, while the Nugent score is based on a microscopic examination of a vaginal smear.
4. **Treatment**: BV is typically treated with antibiotics such as metronidazole or clindamycin. Probiotics and other approaches to restore the normal vaginal flora are also being studied.
5. **Complications**: If left untreated, BV can increase the risk of several complications, including an increased susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), complications during pregnancy, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Gardnerella vaginalis itself is not inherently harmful but can contribute to conditions like BV when present in excessive amounts.
Haemophilus influenzae are pleomorphic gram-negative rods that commonly colonize and infect the human respiratory tract. The H. influenzae species is divided into typeable (encapsulated) and nontypeable (unencapsulated) strains.
Among typeable strains, H. influenzae serotype b (Hib) is the most virulent.