General Practise Flashcards
What is Bacterial Vaginosis?
overgrowth of anaerobic organisms in vagina namely Gardenella Vaginalis.
caused by loss of lactobacilli (friendly bacteria) in vagina.
what 3 organisms can cause bacterial Vaginosis?
Gardenella Vaginalis - MC
Mycoplasma Hominis
Prevotella Species.
bv - can happen with other infections like candidiasis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
what happens when you get overgrowth of anaerobic organisms in BV?
fall in lactic acid.
so you get aerobic lactobacilli = raised vaginal ph
normal vaginal ph
3.5-4.5
features of BV
vaginal discharge: fishy, offensive
asx in 50%
when you do speculum exam - typical discharge.
do a high vaginal swab to exclude other things.
what criteria is used in diagnosis of BV?
Amsels criteria:
3 of following 4 :
thin white homogenous discharge
vaginal ph over 4.5
clue cells on microscopy: stippled epithelial vaginal cells
positive whiff test: additional of potassium hydroxide = fishy odour
what investigations can you do for BV?
check vaginal ph: swab and ph paper. - bv is ph over 4.5
standard charcoal vaginal swab for microscopy. - you can do high vaginal swab during speculum exam or self-taken low vaginal swab.
clue cells on microscopy - epithelial cells from cervix that have bacteria stuck inside them.
how would you manage BV?
if asx: no tx. unless women is undergoing pregnancy termination
if sx: oral metronidazole for 5-7 days.
if compliance issue: single oral dose metronidazole 2g.
can use topical metronidazole or topical clindamycin as alternative.
when treated, what is the relapse rate and inital cure rate for bv?
relapse rate: over 50% within 3 months
initial cure rate: 70-80%
what does bv cause in pregnancy?
increased risk of preterm labour
low birth weight
chorioamnionitis
late miscarriage
treating bv in pregnancy
oral metronidazole 5-7 days.
dont give stat dose.
if asx : no tx
what is lactobacilli
main component of healthy vaginal bacterial flora.
produce lactic acid. keeps vaginal ph low.
acidic environment prevents over bacteria from overgrowing.
more alkaline environment , anaerobic bacteria can multiple.
what advice would you give to bv patient?
avoid vaginal irrigation
avoid cleaning with soaps - disrupt natural flora
what advice do you give to bv patient when prescribing metronidazole
avoid alcohol.
disulfiram like reaction - n+v, flusing and sometimes shock and angioedema.
complications of bv
increased risk of stis like chlamydia, gonorrhoea and hiv
miscarriage - late
preterm delivery
premature rupture of membranes
chorioamnionitis
low birth weight
postpartum endometritis
What is Trichomniasis/ Trichomonas Vaginalis?
highly motile flagellated protozoan parasite.
sti
men and women
more in women 14:1
mc non-viral sti.
transmission of trichomonas Vaginalis
sexual contact.
parasite primarily infects the squamous epithelial cells in urogenital tract.
can persist of inanimate objects like toilet seat and towel for short period.
pathophysiology of trichomonas vaginalis
after transmission , the trophozoites adhere to squamous epithelial cell of urogenital tract and use adhesins on their surface.
evade host immune response through loads of mechanisms including antigenic variation and interference with host immune factors.
cell mediated and humoral immune respose occur post infection, but ineffective at clearing infection because parasite immune evasion strategies.
reinfection common - protective immune not acquired.
features of TV - trichomonas
vaginal discharge : offensive, yellow/green frothy
vulvovaginitis
strawberry cervix
vaginal ph over 4.5
men usually asx can be urethritis.
itching
dysuria (painful urination)
dyspareunia(painful sex)
balanitis(inflammation of glans penis)
how would you investigate to trichominas vaginalis?
micrscopy of wet mount: motile trophozoites
how would you treat trichomonas?
oral metronidazole 5-7 days.
can do 1 stat dose of metronidazole oral 2g.
what can trichomonas increase the risk of?
contracting hiv
bacterial vaginosis
cervical cancer
pelvic inflammatory disease
pregnancy-related comps like preterm delivery
another word for strawberry cervix - TV
caused by?
colpitis macularis
inflammation cervicitis relating to trichomonas infection.
tiny haemorrhages across surface of cervix. - strawberry look.
how would you diagnose someone with trichomonas vaginalis?
standard charcoal swab with microscopy - examination under microscopy
swab from posterior fornix of vagina - (behind cervix) inwomen.
self taken low vaginal swab - alternative
urethral swab or first-catch urine: men
What is trigeminal neuralgia?
severe unilateral pain
mostly idiopathic or compression of trigeminal roots by tumours or vascular problems
female 2:1 men
peak: 60-70 yrs