Gyn Infections I and II -Castro Flashcards
Which cell type lines the vulva? Vagina?
stratified squamous epithelium
vulvar is keratinized
What is the normal vaginal pH for prepubertal and postmenopausal women? Reproductive aged women?
Prepubertal and postmenopausal women: normal vaginal ph is 6-8
Reproductive aged women: increasing number of lactobacilli cause normal vaginal ph to drop to 3.8 - 4.2
What is normal “physiologic” vaginal discharge?
cervical mucus and vaginal transudate and normal vaginal flora with exfoliated squamous cells
whitish and does not cause itching, burning or smell
What do most vaginitis patients present with?
Increased vaginal discharge-often with foul odor and vulvar, vaginal itching or burning and sometimes dysuria
How do you diagnose vaginitis?
must perform a pelvic exam and microscopic exam of the discharge (wet mount)
cultures and biopsies might be indicated, depending on findings
What is the most common cause of vaginitis? Is this an STI?
bacterial vaginosis
it is “sexually associated” but not clearly an STI (do NOT treat the partner)
What does a patient with bacterial vaginosis present with?
- “fishy” odor
- inc grayish vaginal discharge
- homogenous discharge (vaginal vault looks like milk has been poured into it)
- often after vaginal intercourse
What is the etiology of bacterial vaginosis (BV)?
altered vaginal ecology–> increased ratio of anaerobic to aerobic bacteria (suppression of lactobacilli and peroxide producing bacteria and an increase in garderella, bactericides, mobiluncus, prevotella, ureoplasma, mycoplasma and peptococcus (polymicrobial))
What is the diagnostic criteria for BV?
Amsel's Criteria: (3 of the 4): -Homogenous vaginal discharge -Vaginal ph > 4.5 -Positive whiff test on -KOH wet prep -Presence of clue cells on microscopic exam of saline wet mount (epithelial cells covered with bacteria, margins of cell are indistinct, cells have ground glass appearance, few WBC’s present
What is the treatment for bacterial vaginosis? Should the male partner be treated as well?
Oral metroidazole or topical metronidazole gel or clindamycin cream
do NOT treat the male partner
What is the second most common cause of vaginitis? Is this sexually transmitted?
candida vaginitis (more likely to have vulvar involvement than BV or trichomoniasis)
NOT considered sexually transmitted
What are the risk factors for candida vaginitis (8)?
Diabetes Obesity Pregnancy Immunosuppressed Recent use of antibiotics Exogenous estrogens Sexual intercourse Anything facilitating vulvar/vaginal warmth and moisture
What will a patient with candida vaginitis present with?
- Vaginal discharge and burning
- Vulvar itching and burning with erythema
- Dysuria
- Dyspareunia (pain with intercourse)
How is candida vaginitis diagnosed?
- Based on history, pelvic exam and KOH wet mount (culture in Nickerson’s if suspect false negative wet mount)
- Thick, white “cottage cheese” discharge
- Vaginal ph < 4.5 most of the time
- 10% KOH wet mount - budding yeast and pseudohyphae
What is the treatment for candida vaginitis? Should the male partner be treated as well?
- Try to treat predisposing cause if possible (e.g. diabetes)
- Treat for 3-7 days with topical azoles (miconazole, butoconazole, terconazole, clotrimazole). Available OTC and by prescription. 80% effective
- Treatment of male sex partner not recommended unless clinical evidence of infection (balanitis)
What can recurrent candida vaginitis be indicative of?
diabetes
Is trichomonas vaginitis (trichomoniasis) a sexually transmitted disease? What are the major presenting symptoms?
YES!
Major patient symptoms:
- increased discharge
- foul smelling
- vulvar itching and burning
- dysuria
- dyspareunia
How is the diagnosis of Trichomonas Vaginitis made in women? Men?
- Pelvic exam - “frothy” thin discharge; ph >4.5; color may be yellow, green, grey
- Strawberry patches on vagina, cervix, (petechiae) may be present
- “fishy” odor may be present
women:
-Saline wet mount - trichomonads (flagellated protozoan) along with epithelial cells and WBC’s
Men:
-wet mount is unreliable–> culture urethra, urine and semen
How is Trichomonas Vaginitis treated? Should the male sex partner also be treated?
- Patient and sex partner need to be treated Metronidazole or Tinidazole 2 grams orally - 90% effective
- Abstain from alcohol (disulfiram - type adverse response)
What is the typical presentation of atrophic vulvovaginitis?
-Older women, secondary to decreased estrogen
-Thin vaginal mucosa
Yellowish discharge, ph >4.5
-Smooth, shiny, reddish, atrophied vulvar skin
How is a diagnosis of atrophic vaginitis made? What other diagnosis has to be ruled out?
Saline wet mount showing rounded parabasal cells. May need biopsy to distinguish from Lichen Sclerosis
When should you biopsy vulvitis?
atypical lesion
non response to therapy
recurrence
goals of biopsy are to make the correct diagnosis in order to guide Rx, detect premalignant condition neoplasia / cancer.
What are the differences in the vulvar dystrophies? What type of patient population is this normally found in?
Seen in older women
-Lichen Sclerosis (atrophic dystrophy):
thinning skin with whitish, cigarette-paper appearance, very itchy, hyperkaratosis and chronic inflammation on biopsy
-Squamous Cell Hyperplasia (hyperplastic dystrophy):
scratch-itch-scratch cycle with thickened, excoriated skin (do biopsy to confirm)
-Mixed Dystrophy: leukoplakia might be present–> need biopsy to rule out neoplasia/carcinoma
Who should be screened for STDs? What are the reportable STDs?
- high risk patients
- all pregnant women
- screen for other STDs if one is identified
- reportable: GC, Chlamydia, syphilis, chancroid, HIV/ AIDS
What are the 5 P’s in taking a sexual history?
Partners
Prevention of Pregnancy
Protection from STD’s
Practices
Past History of STD’s