O&G: GU medicine Flashcards
Bacterial Vaginosis
what is it
overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina, specifically anaerobic bac
not a STI but can increase the risk of developing one
Bacterial Vaginosis
cause
a loss of lactobacilli (friendly bac) in the vagina
Bacterial Vaginosis
why is lactobacilli healthy friendly bac
they produce lactic acid that keeps the vaginal pH low (<4.5)
the acidic environment prevents other bac from overgrowing
Bacterial Vaginosis
what happens where there is a reduced number of lactobacilli
the pH rises in the vagina, which enable anaerobic bacteria to multiple in the more alkaline environment
Bacterial Vaginosis
example of anaerobic bacteria associated with BV
- Gardnerella vaginalis (most common)
- Mycoplasma hominis
- Prevotella species
Bacterial Vaginosis
can BV occur alongside other infections
yes. inc candidiasis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea
Bacterial Vaginosis
RFs (5)
- multiple sexual partners (although not sexually transmitted)
- XS vaginal cleaning (douching, use of cleaning products and vaginal washes)
- recent abx
- smoking
- copper coil
Bacterial Vaginosis
who does it occur less frequently in
- women taking COCP
- women using condoms effectively
Bacterial Vaginosis
key presentation
fishy smelling discharge
watery grey/white discharge
Bacterial Vaginosis
what symptoms may suggest an alternative cause or co-occurring infection
itching
irritation
pain
half of women with BV are asymptomatic
Bacterial Vaginosis
examination
speculum can be performed to confirm the typical discharge
high vaginal swab to exclude other causes of symptoms
Bacterial Vaginosis
inx
- Vaginal pH using a swab and pH paper
- standard charcoal vaginal swab for microscopy. Can be a high vaginal swab during speculum or self taken low vaginal swab
Bacterial Vaginosis
BV occurs with a pH of?
above 4.5
Bacterial Vaginosis
what is shown on microscopy
clue cells
Bacterial Vaginosis
what are clue cells
epithelial cells from the cervix that have bacteria stuck inside them, usually Gardnerella vaginalis
Bacterial Vaginosis
mnx of asymptomatic BV
none
Bacterial Vaginosis
mnx
Metronidazole specifically targets anaerobic bac
PO or vaginal gel
Bacterial Vaginosis
what is an alternative to metronidazole
clindamycin but less optimal
Bacterial Vaginosis
what advice can you give
- avoid vaginal irrigation or cleaning with soaps that may disrupt the natural flora
Bacterial Vaginosis
what advice to give when prescribing metronidazole
avoid alcohol as it can cause a ‘disulfiram-like reaction’ with N+V, flushing and sometimes severe sx of shock + angioedema
Candidiasis
what is it
aka thrush
vaginal infection with a yeast of the Candida family
candida may colonise without causing sx. It then progresses to infection when the right environment occurs eg pregnancy or after trx with broad-spectrum abx that alters the vaginal flora
Candidiasis
what is the most common yeast
Candida albicans
Candidiasis
RFs (4)
- increased oestrogen (higher in pregnancy, lower pre-puberty + post-menopause)
- poorly controlled diabetes
- immunosuppression (eg using corticosteroids)
- broad spectrum abx
Candidiasis
presentation
- odourless thick, white discharge
- vulval + vaginal itching, irritation or discomfort
Candidiasis
what can more severe infection lead to? (6)
- erythema
- fissures
- oedema
- dyspareunia
- dysuria
- excoriation
Candidiasis
how can candidiasis be differentiated from BV and trichomonas
BV + trichomonas have a pH >4.5
candidiasis has a pH <4.5
Candidiasis
what confirms the dx
a charcoal swab with microscopy
Candidiasis
mnx
antifungal medication eg clotrimazole
Candidiasis
how can antifungal medication be delivered
cream (clotrimazole) inserted into vagina with an applicator
pessary (clotrimazole)
tablet (fluconazole)
Candidiasis
what options do NICE recommend for initial uncomplicated cases
- single dose of intravaginal clotrimazole cream (5g of 10% cream) at night
- single dose of clotrimazole pessary (500mg) at night
- 3 doses of clotrimazole pessaries (200mg) over 3 nights
- single dose of fluconazole (150mg)
Candidiasis
what is a standard over the counter treatment
Canesten Duo
contains a single fluconazole tablet and clotrimazole cream
Candidiasis
trx for recurrent infections (>4/yr)
induction + maintenance regime over 6m with PO or vaginal antifungal medications
this is off label use
Candidiasis
warning to give regarding antifungal creams and pessaries
they can damage latex condoms and prevent spermicides from working
so alternative contraceptive is required for at least 5d after use
Chlamydia
what kind of bacteria is Chlamydia trachomatis
gram -ve
Chlamydia
it’s an intracellular organism. What does this mean
it enters and replicate within cells before rupturing the cell and spreading to others
what is the most common STI in the UK and a significant cause of infertility
Chlamydia
Chlamydia
RFs
- young
- sexually active
- multiple sexual partners
Chlamydia
what % of men and women are asymptomatic
50% in men
75% in women
can still pass it on!
Chlamydia
what is the NCSP
National Chlamydia Screening Programme set out by PHE
aims to screen every sexually active person under 25yrs for chlamydia annually or when they change their sexual partner
Chlamydia
if tested +ve in the NCSP. when should they have a re-test
3m after trx to ensure they have not contracted it again, rather than to check the trx has worked
Chlamydia
what is the minimum a pt is tested for when attending GUM clinic for STI screening
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhoea
- Syphilis (blood test)
- HIV (blood test)
what are the 2 types of swabs involved in sexual health testing?
- Charcoal swabs
- Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) swabs
what are Charcoal swabs for
microscopy
culture
sensitivities
what is the transport medium for charcoal swabs (the liq at the bottom of the tube)
Amies transport medium - contains chemical solution for keeping micro organisms alive during transport
charcoal swabs can be used for ___ and ____
endocervical swabs and high vaginal swabs
what bacteria can charcoal swabs confirm
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Candidiasis
- Gonorrhoea (specifically endocervical swab)
- Trichomonas vaginalis (specifically a swab from the posterior fornix)
- other bac eg group B streptococcus
what does NAAT check for
the DNA or RNA of the organism
used to test specifically for chlamydia and gonorrhoea
on a women a NAAT test can be performed on what
- vulvovaginal swab (self-taken lower vaginal swab)
- endocervical swab
- first-catch urine sample
on a man a NAAT test can be performed on what?
- first-catch urine sample
- urethral swab
Chlamydia
what can be taken to diagnose chlamydia in the rectum and throat (considered where anal or oral sex has occurred)
rectal and pharyngeal NAAT swabs
gonorrhoea is suspected, what next?
endocervical charcoal swab is required MC&S
Chlamydia
presentation in women
majority are asymptomatic
- abnormal vaginal discharge
- pelvic pain
- abnormal vaginal bleeding (intermenstrual or postcoital)
- dyspareunia
- dysuria
Chlamydia
presentation in men
- urethral discharge or discomfort
- dysuria
- epididymo-orchitis
- reactive arthritis
Chlamydia
rectal chlamydia and lymphogranuloma venereum presentation
anorectal sx:
- discomfort
- discharge
- bleeding
- change in bowel habits
Chlamydia
examination findings
- pelvic or abdo tenderness
- cervical motion tenderness (cervical excitation)
- inflamed cervix (cervicitis)
- purulent discharge
Chlamydia
dx
NAAT
Chlamydia
1st line mnx for uncomplicated chlamydia infection
doxycycline 100mg BD for 7d
Chlamydia
why has the recommendation of azithromycin been removed as mnx
Due to Mycoplasma genitalium resistance to azythromycin
and it being less effective for rectal chlamydia infection
Chlamydia
whom is doxycycline CI’d in
pregnant and breastfeeding women
Chlamydia
what alternative options should be given to treat pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Azithromycin 1g stat then 500mg OD for 2d
- Erythromycin 500mg QDS for 7d
- Erythromycin 500mg BD for 14d
- Amoxicillin 500mg TDS for 7d
Chlamydia
when should a test of cure be used
for rectal cases
in pregnancy
where sx persist
Chlamydia
how long should sex be abstained for and why
for 7d of trx of all partners to reduce the risk of re-infection
Chlamydia
who should you refer the pt to
refer all pts to genitourinary medicine (GUM) for contact tracing and notification of sexual partners
Chlamydia
complications (8)
- PID
- chronic pelvic pain
- infertility
- ectopic pregnancy
- epididymo-orchitis
- conjunctivitis
- lymphogranuloma venereum
- reactive arthritis
Chlamydia
pregnancy related complications (5)
- preterm delivery
- PROM
- low birth weight
- postpartum endometritis
- neonatal infection (conjunctivitis + pneumonia)
Chlamydia
what is lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)
a condition affecting the lymphoid tissue around the site of infection with chlamydia
Chlamydia
whom does lymphogranuloma venereum most commonly occur in
men who have sex with men (MSM)
Chlamydia
how many stages does lymphogranuloma venereum have
3
primary stage
secondary stage
tertiary stage
Chlamydia
LGV: what does the primary stage involve
a painless ulcer (primary lesion)
Chlamydia
LGV: where does the primary lesions occur in men and women
men: penis
women: vaginal wall
rectum after anal
Chlamydia
LGV: what does the secondary stage involve
lymphadenitis: swelling, inflammation + pain in the lymph nodes infected with the bacteria
Chlamydia
LGV: which lymph nodes may be affected in the secondary stage
inguinal or femoral
Chlamydia
LGV: what does the tertiary stage involve?
inflammation of the rectum (proctitis) and anus
Chlamydia
LGV: what does proctocolitis lead to in the tertiary stage
- anal pain
- change in bowel habit
- tenesmus (feeling of needing to empty the bowel)
- discharge
Chlamydia
1st line treatment for Lymphgranuloma Venereum
Doxycycline 100mg BD for 21d
erythromycin, azithromycin and ofloxacin are alternatives
Chlamydia
how does Chlamydial Conjunctivitis occur
genital fluid comes in contact with the eye eg hand-to-eye spread
Chlamydia
chlamydia conjunctivitis presentation
- chronic erythema
- irritation
- discharge >2w
- most cases are unilateral
Chlamydia
Ddx for chlamydia conjunctivitis
Gonococcal conjunctivitis
Chlamydia
whom does chamydial conjunctivitis commonly affect
- young adults
- neonates with mothers infected with chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
what kind of bacteria is
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
gram -ve diplococcus
Gonorrhoea
what membranes does it infect
mucous membranes with a columnar epithelium
eg endocervix in women
urethra, rectum, conjunctiva and pharynx
Gonorrhoea
how does it spread
via contact with mucous secretions from infected areas
Gonorrhoea
what increases the risk of infection
- young
- sexually active
- having multiple partners
- having other STIs
Gonorrhoea
why is ciprofloaxin or azithromycin no longer used to treat gonorrhoea
high levels of resistance to these antibiotics
Gonorrhoea
what % of men and women are symptomatic
90% men
50% women
Gonorrhoea
what may females present with
- odourless purulent discharge, possibly green or yellow
- dysuria
- pelvic pain
Gonorrhoea
what may males present with
- odourless purulent discharge, possibly green or yellow
- dysuria
- testicular pain or swelling (epididymo-orchitis)
Gonorrhoea
presentation of rectal infection
may cause anal or rectal discomfort and discharge
but often asymptomatic
Gonorrhoea
presentation of pharyngeal infection
- sore throat
but often asymptomatic
Gonorrhoea
symptoms of prostatitis
- perineal pain
- urinary sx
- prostate tenderness on ex
Gonorrhoea
symptoms of conjucntivitis
- erythema
- purulent discharge
Gonorrhoea
dx
NAAT to detect the RNA or DNA of gonorrhoea
then charcoal endocervical swab for MC&S
Gonorrhoea
what swabs to use in genital infection
- endocervical
- vulvovaginal
- urethral
- 1st catch urine
Gonorrhoea
trx for uncomplicated gonococcal infection
if the sensitivities are NOT known:
- single does of IM ceftriaxone 1g
if the sensitivities ARE known:
- single dose of PO ciprofloaxin 500mg
Gonorrhoea
when should a test of cure be done after trx for culture
72hrs after trx
Gonorrhoea
when should a test of cure be done after trx for RNA NATT
7d after trx
Gonorrhoea
when should a test of cure be done after trx for DNA NATT
14d after trx
Gonorrhoea
how long should you abstain from sex
7d of treatment of all partners to reduce risk of re-infection