Vol 86, No 5 (2015)
ARTICLES
Combination of microbiological culture and multiplex PCR increases the range of vaginal microorganisms identified in cervical cancer patients at high risk for bacterial vaginosis and vaginitis
DOI: 10.17772/gp/2417
Ginekol Pol 2015;86(5).
Abstract
Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vaginitis in cervical cancer patients might becaused by mixed aerobic,
anaerobic, and atypical bacteria. Since genital tract infections can be complicated, early and accurate identification
of causal pathogens is vital.
Objectives:The purpose of this study was i) to determinate if currently used aerobic culture methods are sufficiently
sensitive to identify pathogens that can appear in the cervix of women after cancer treatment; ii) to investigate
if molecular methods can improve the diagnostic process of BV and vaginitis, as well as broaden the range
of detectable pathogens that would otherwise be difficult to cultivate. Methods: A one-year hospital-based study
was conducted in 2011/2012. Cervical swabs from 130 patients were examined by microbiological culture and
multiplex PCR.
Results: Swab samples were positive for 107 and 93 women by microbiological culture and multiplex PCR, respectively.
The most common bacteria isolated from culture were: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus
agalactiae, and Staphylococcus aureus, and using the molecular technique were: Gardnerella vaginalis,
Bacteroides fragilis, Ureoplasma ureoliticum/parvum, Mobiluncus curtisii and Atopobium vaginae.
Conclusions: Multiplex PCR might contribute to the diagnosis of genital tract infections and it broadens the
number of detectable microorganisms responsible for BV. Combination of these two methods may become the
basis for standardized diagnosis of BV and vaginitis.
Keywords: vaginitis / bacterial vaginosis / multiplex PCR / microbiological culture /
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