GUM Flashcards
What causes bacterial vaginosis?
overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria in the vagina due to loss of lactobacilli
Give examples of bacteria associated with BV
gardnerella vaginalis (most common)
mycoplasma hominis
prevotella species
What are the risk factors for BV?
multiple sexual partners (although it is not sexually transmitted)
excessive vaginal cleaning
recent antibiotics
smoking
copper coil
What is the standard presenting feature of BV?
fishy-smelling watery grey or white vaginal discharge
What investigations should be done for suspected BV?
vaginal pH (>4.5 = possible BV)
high vaginal or self-taken low vaginal swabs for microscopy
What is seen on microscopy in BV?
clue cells
What is Amsel’s criteria for diagnosis of BV?
3 of the following 4 points should be present:
thin, white homogenous discharge
clue cells on microscopy - stippled vaginal epithelial cells
vaginal pH >4.5
positive whiff test (addition of potassium hydroxide results in fishy odour)
What is the management of BV?
no treatment if asymptomatic - will self resolve
first line = metronidazole
2nd line = clindamycin
assess risk of other pelvic infections
provide advice about reducing the risk of further episodes (e.g. avoiding vaginal irrigation)
What happens if a patient drinks alcohol whilst taking metronidazole?
disfulfiram-like reaction - nausea, vomiting, flushing
What are the complications of BV?
increased risk of catching STIs
pregnant people:
miscarriage
preterm delivery
premature rupture of membranes
chorioamnionitis
low birth weight
postpartum endometritis
What are the risk factors for candidiasis?
increased oestrogen
poorly controlled diabetes
immunosuppression
broad-spectrum antibiotics
What is the presentation of vaginal candidiasis?
thick, white discharge that does not typically smell
vulval and vaginal itching, irritation or discomfort
severe infection = erythema, fissures, oedema, dyspareunia, dysuria, excoriation
What can testing the vaginal pH be used for?
differentiating between BV and trichomonas (pH >4.5) and candidiasis (pH <4.5)
What is the management of thrush?
first line = single dose of oral fluconazole 150mg
alternative = single dose of clotrimazole 500mg intravaginal pessary
vulval symptoms = add topical imidazole
pregnancy = only local treatments (e.g. cream or pessaries)
What information is important to give patients about antifungal creams and pessaries?
can damage latex condoms and prevent spermicides from working - alternative contraception is required for at least five days after use
What is defined as recurrent vaginal candidiasis?
4 or more episodes per year
What is the management of recurrent vaginal candidiasis?
check compliance with previous treatment
confirm diagnosis of candidiasis - high vaginal swab for microscopy and culture
consider a blood glucose test to exclude diabetes
exclude lichen sclerosus
consider the use of an induction-maintenance regime:
induction = oral fluconazole every 3 days for 3 doses
maintenance = oral fluconazole weekly for 6 months
What type of bacteria is Chlamydia trachomatis?
intracellular
gram-negative
What are the two types of swabs involved in sexual health testing?
charcoal swabs
nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) swabs
How are charcoal swabs analysed?
microscopy, culture and sensitivities
What is the transport medium for charcoal swabs?
Amies transport medium
Where can charcoal swabs be taken from?
endocervical
high vaginal
What can charcoal swabs confirm?
BV
candidiasis
gonorrhoeae (specifically endocervical swab)
trichomonas vaginalis (specifically a swab from the posterior fornix)
other bacteria (e.g. group B strep)
How are NAAT swabs analysed?
check for DNA or RNA of the organism
What do NAAT swabs confirm?
chlamydia
gonorrhoea
Where can NAAT swabs be taken in a female patient?
highest to lowest preference:
endocervical
vulvovaginal
first catch urine
Where can NAAT swabs be taken in a male patient?
first-catch urine
urethral
What is the presentation of chlamydia in female patients?
abnormal vaginal discharge
pelvic pain
abnormal vaginal bleeding (intermenstrual or postcoital)
dyspareunia
dysuria
What is the presentation of chlamydia in male patients?
urethral discharge or discomfort
dysuria
epididymo-orchitis
reactive arthritis
What may be found on examination in suspected chlamydia?
pelvic or abdominal tenderness
cervical motion tenderness
inflamed cervix (cervicitis)
purulent discharge
What is the management of chlamydia?
1st line = doxycycline for 7 days
alternatives (e.g. in pregnant or breastfeeding patients) = azithromycin, erythromycin, amoxicillin
When should a test of cure be performed following treatment for chlamydia?
rectal cases
pregnancy
symptoms persist
What are the non-pregnancy complications of chlamydia infection?
PID
chronic pelvic pain
infertility
epididymo-orchitis
conjunctivitis
lymphogranuloma venereum
reactive arthritis
ectopic pregnancy
What are the pregnancy related complications of chlamydia?
preterm delivery
premature rupture of membranes
low birth weight
postpartum endometritis
neonatal infection (conjunctivitis, pneumonia)
What is lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)?
condition affecting the lymphoid tissue around the site of infection with chlamydia
What patients does LGV most commonly occur in?
MSM
What are the three stages of LGV?
primary = painless ulcer on penis, vaginal wall or rectum (depends on site of sex)
secondary = lymphadenitis (swelling, inflammation and pain in the lymph nodes infected with the bacteria)
tertiary = proctocolitis
What are the symptoms of the tertiary stage of LGV?
anal pain
change in bowel habit
tenesmus (feeling of needing to empty the bowels, even after completing a bowel motion0
discharge
What is the treatment for LGV?
first line = 21 days of doxycycline
alternatives = erythromycin, azithromycin and ofloxacin
What type of bacteria is Neisseria gonorrhoeae?
gram-negative diplococcus
What is the presentation of gonorrhoea in female patients?
odourless purulent discharge - possible green or yellow
dysuria
pelvic pain
What is the presentation of gonorrhoea in male patients?
odourless purulent discharge - possibly green or yellow
dysuria
testicular pain or swelling (epididymo-orchitis)
What is the treatment of gonorrhoea?
first line:
single dose of IM ceftriaxone if the sensitivities are not known
single dose of oral ciprofloxacin if sensitivities are known
second line = oral cefixime + oral azithromycin
When should a test of cure be carried out for gonorrhoea?
all patients at least:
72 hrs after treatment for culture
7 days after treatment for RNA NAAT
14 days after treatment for DNA NAAT
What tests are used for test of cure in gonorrhoea?
asymptomatic = NAAT testing
symptomatic = cultures
How long should patients abstain from sex for after having an STI to reduce risk of reinfection?
seven days from treatment of all partners
What are the complications of gonorrhoea?
PID
chronic pelvic pain
infertility
epididymo-orchitis
prostatitis
conjunctivitis
urethral strictures
disseminated gonococcal infection
skin lesions
Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome
septic arthritis
endocarditis
neonatal gonococcal conjunctivitis
Why is neonatal gonococcal conjunctivitis/ophthalmia neonatorum a medical emergency?
associated with sepsis, perforation of the eye and blindness
What are the symptoms of disseminated gonococcal infection?
various non-specific skin lesions
polyarthralgia (joint aches and pains)
migratory polyarthritis (arthritis that moves between joints)
tenosynovitis
systemic symptoms such as fever and fatigue
What does mycoplasma genitalium cause?
non-gonococcal urethritis
What is used to test for mycoplasma genitalium?
NAAT to look specifically for it