Genitourinary Key Flashcards
PID
After Broad-spectrum antibiotic course → death of normal vaginal flora
→ a good chance for the development of bacterial vaginosis and/or vaginal
candidiasis.
Bacterial
Vaginosis
(Gardnerella
Vaginalis)
√ Thin, grey-white, fishy (VERY
offensive) smelling discharge.
√ Vaginal itching is uncommon.
√ Positive Whiff test
(Potassium Hydroxide).
√ Vaginal pH: > 4.5
Rx → Metronidazole
+ Clindamycin
Trichomoniasis
(Trichomonas
Vaginalis)
Rx → Oral
Metronidazole
√ Frothy, yellowish-greenish
smelly vaginal discharge.
√ Vaginal itching is common.
√ Strawberry Cervix.
√ Vaginal pH: > 4.5
√ signs of vulvovaginitis
√ Thick white (Cheese-like)
odourless (non-offensive)
vaginal discharge.
√ Vaginal pH: 4-4.5
Rx → Local
Clotrimazole
(Anti-fungal)
Thrush”
(Candida
Albicans)
Note, normal vaginal pH is 3.8 to 4.5.
To Recap,
♣ White Thick discharge, non-offensive discharge
→ Vaginal candidiasis (Vaginal Thrush).
→ Topical clotrimazole.
♣ Yellow-greenish offensive discharge + vaginal itching ± Strawberry Cervix ±
pH > 4.5 ± Vulvovaginitis
→ Trichomonas Vaginalis (Trichomoniasis).
→ Oral metronidazole.
♣ Offensive discharge Without itching ± fishy smell ± pH > 4.5
→ Bacterial Vaginosis (Gardnerella Vaginalis).
◙ The likely diagnosis → ◙
The Likely causative organism → Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
“Vaginal Thrush”.
Candida Albicans.
Example
A pregnant woman has taken antibiotic for her dental abscess. On the 3rd day,
she developed thick white vaginal discharge.
A young lady presents with offensive vaginal discharge. She is sexually active
with a single partner. Her vaginal pH is 5.5. High vaginal swabs are taken for
culture.
The likely organism → Gardnerella Vaginalis. (Bacterial Vaginosis)
Both Bacterial Vaginosis (Gardnerella Vaginalis) and Trichomoniasis
(Trichomonas Vaginalis) can cause offensive vaginal discharge and pH >4.5.
However,
♦ Bacterial Vaginosis “Gardnerella Vaginalis” is more common.
♦ Trichomoniasis “Trichomonas Vaginalis” has yellow-greenish offensive
vaginal discharge + itching.
♦ Both are treated by Metronidazole.
[All sexual partners need to be treated and followed up as well]
Note:
Although Bacterial Vaginosis
“Gardnerella Vaginalis” is not a sexually-
transmitted disease, it is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal
discharge in ♀ in childbearing age.
◙ Amsel’s Criteria: 3 of 4 criteria are diagnostic for Bacterial Vaginosis:
1) Homogenous grey-white discharge.
2) When adding Potassium Hydroxide 10% (KOH) to the discharge → fishy
smell (Whiff test).
3) “Clue Cells” under microscopy.
4) Vaginal pH > 4.5
Scenario 2
A 24 YO woman presents with foul-smelling vaginal discharge and vaginal
itching.
She feels sore in her vagina. She has a new sexual male partner.
O/E,
there are signs of vulvovaginitis. The vaginal pH is 5.3.
What is the most likely causative organism?
We have 2 likely options: Gardnerella vaginalis and Trichomonas vaginalis.
They both can cause similar presentations.
However,
Vaginal itching and signs of
Vulvovaginitis are more common with
→ Trichomonas vaginalis. √
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)
◙ Genital warts: Sexually transmitted painless growth- like lesions
“benign epithelia skin tumours”.
◙ Prevention and Treatment of Genital Warts.
√ Gardasil → Not for treatment, but for prevention.
(A vaccine to protect against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18). If genital warts have
developed, Gardasil is of no benefit.
√ Ablation (Cryotherapy).
√ 30% of cases have spontaneous resolution in 6 months.
hpv types
◙ HPV 6 and 11 → Responsible for Genital warts (benign Cauliflower like-
growths).
◙ HPV 16 and 18 → Responsible for most cervical cancers in the UK.
◙ Prevention and Treatment of Genital Warts.
√ Gardasil → Not for treatment, but for prevention.
(A vaccine to protect against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18). If genital warts have
developed, Gardasil is of no benefit.
√ Ablation (Cryotherapy).
√ 30% of cases have spontaneous resolution in 6 months.
Genital herpes
H.ducreyi
Genital Ulcers (♂, ♀)
◙ Multiple, Painful Ulcers ± Dysuria → HSV “Genital Herpes”.
→ give Acyclovir
◙ Single, Not-painful ulcer → Syphilis. “Syphilis painless”
.
◙ Single, Painful ulcer → Hemophilus Ducreyi (Chancroid).
(“I Do cry” from Pain and being Single)
Caution, Hemophilus Ducreyi can sometimes present with MULTIPLE and
PAINFUL ulcers similar to that of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).
To differentiate → Viral Culture (obtained from the ulcer base) or PCR.
Example,
A 37 YO ♀ presents with numerous, painful blisters and sores on her vulva
with flu-like illness and mild fever.
She is afraid to go urinate as the pain is so
severe.
♦ The likely Dx →
♦ The appropriate Rx →
Genital Herpes
Aciclovir (HSV).
(Anti-viral).
Example,
A 25 YO ♂ presents complaining of Dysuria and 3 Painful ulcers on his penis.
He is sexually active.
♦ The likely Dx →
♦ The appropriate Rx →
Genital Herpes
Aciclovir (HSV).
(Anti-viral)
Genital ulcers in short
In short:
◘ Painless multiple → HPV (6 and 11).
◘ Painful multiple → HSV (give analgesics and Aciclovir).
◘ Painless single (Chancre) → Syphilis (Treponema Pallidum).
◘ Painful single (Chancroid) → H. Ducreyi (can be multiple, painful)
Scenario
A 30 YO ♀ presents with a very strong foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
Which of these organisms is likely responsible?
(Chlamydia / N. Gonorrhea / Gardnerella / or All of them)?
The answer is → Gardnerella.
Do not get tricked!
The vaginal discharge in Chlamydia and N. Gonorrhea is NOT usually foul-
smelling.
The important organisms that present with Offensive Vaginal Discharge are:
√ Both are treated with → √ pH in both is > 4.5
• Trichomonas Vaginalis (Trichomoniasis)
→ Frothy, Yellow-greenish,
Offensive ± Strawberry Cervix
and inflamed
vulva “vulvovaginitis” ± Vaginal Itching
• Gardnerella Vaginalis (Bacterial Vaginosis)
→ Thin, grey-white, Offensive (fishy) smell. ± clue cells
Scenario
29 YO ♀ presents complaining of a few-weeks vaginal discharge that is frothy,
yellow, bad-smelling and with mild vaginal itching. She is sexually active with 2
regular partners.
Vaginal pH is 4.8. No pelvic or abdominal pain. Her vulva
looks slightly inflamed.
The likely Dx →
The appropriate treatment → Dx →
Trichomoniasis (The Organism is Trichomonas Vaginalis).
Metronidazole.
Observing motile flagellates on microscopy.
Complications of Syphilis include →
Aortic Aneurysm,
Granulomatous lesions
of skin and bones (Tertiary stage syphilis)
◙ Note: Chlamydial infection is the most common Sexually Transmitted
Infection
“STI” in the UK. It is caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis.
◙ Chlamydia in Males
→ Urethritis (Dysuria + Urethral Discharge).
√ Important
The major complication of untreated chlamydia “and N. Gonorrhea” in males
is: → (Epididymo-Orchitis) or (Epididymitis).
→ Unilateral Testicular Pain.
The major complication of untreated chlamydia “and N. Gonorrhea” in
Females is: → (Salpingitis).
◙ An 18 YO ♀ with new sexual partner presents with:
Vaginal Discharge, Post-coital bleeding, Red and Inflamed vulva
and cervix, tender pelvis but non-tender abdomen.
√ The likely Dx →
Chlamydial Cervicitis.
√ Rx? →
◙ 1st line → Doxycycline 100 mg BID for 7 Days.
◙ Another line:
Azithromycin 1-gram PO
▐ Followed by 500 mg PO OD for 2 days.
√ The likely cause in this case? → infection due to the new partner.
♣ Why not Cervical Ectropion?
Cervical Ectropion presents only with post-coital bleeding. No other
problems. Resolves spontaneously but if treatment is required →
Cauterising with silver nitrate.
◙ A 22 YO ♀ presents with Vaginal Discharge, Post-coital bleeding,
intermenstrual bleeding. A vulvovaginal swab tested +ve for
Neisseria Gonorrhea
.
√ Treatment? →
♦ Neisseria Gonorrhea: (C or C)
◙ Ceftriaxone 1 gm IM (single dose stat). “of choice”
Or:
◙ Ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO (Single dose).