Genital streptococcal infection in non-pregnant women: a case-note review

Int J STD AIDS. 2013 Jun;24(6):447-8. doi: 10.1177/0956462412472810. Epub 2013 Jul 4.

Abstract

The purpose of this case-note review was to examine the clinical features and management of women with either vulval or vaginal swabs culturing positive for streptococci. Group B haemolytic streptococcus was isolated in all cases. The majority of women with vulval streptococci presented with irritation or soreness. Candidal infection was found in 43% and a dermatosis in 27%. All women with positive vaginal culture had vaginal soreness and/or discharge. Candida was isolated in 27% and there were features of desquamative vaginitis in 20%. Women treated with erythromycin failed to improve symptomatically. The findings of this study suggest that streptococci mostly play a secondary role and colonize an already damaged genital epithelium.

Keywords: Group B streptococcus; Streptococci; desquamative vaginitis; genital; genital swabs; vaginal bacterial infection; vulval dermatosis; vulvitis; women.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Genital Diseases, Female / diagnosis
  • Genital Diseases, Female / drug therapy
  • Genital Diseases, Female / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis*
  • Streptococcal Infections / drug therapy
  • Streptococcal Infections / epidemiology
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Streptococcus agalactiae / isolation & purification*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vaginal Smears / methods*
  • Vulvovaginitis / drug therapy
  • Vulvovaginitis / etiology*
  • Vulvovaginitis / microbiology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents