Vulvar Diseases Flashcards
What is the cause of bacterial vaginosis?
Gardnerella Vaginalis
What are the three major infectious causes of vulvovaginitis?
- BV
- Candidiasis
- Trichomoniasis
What is the vaginal pH associated with BV, trichomoniasis, and Candidiasis?
- BV = More than 4.5
- Candida = Normal
- Trichomonas = More than 4/5
What is the discharge associated with BV?
Thin white
What is the discharge associated with candidiasis?
White curdy discharge
What is the discharge associated with trichomoniasis?
Yellow-green froth
What is the normal vaginal pH?
3.8-4.2
What is the KOH whiff test used to diagnose?
BV
What is the treatment for BV?
Metronidazole
What is the treatment for vaginal candidiasis?
Fluconazole
What is the treatment for trichomonas?
Metronidazole
What is the MOA of metronidazole?
inhibits nucleic acid synthesis by disrupting the DNA of microbial cells
What are the characteristics of physiologic vaginal discharge?
- Mucus
- White to off white color
- Odorless
What comprises physiologic vaginal discharge?
Endometrial fluid
Cervical mucus
What is the definition of BV?
Polymicrobial infection characterized by a lack of normal H2O2 lactobacilli, and an overgrowth of anaerobes
Which vaginal infection has a fishy odor?
BV
What are clue cells, and what are they diagnostic of?
Epithelial cells with cocci bacteria attached to their surfaces, such that it looks like ground glass
BV
What is the gold standard test for diagnosing BV?
Gram stain
What are the 4 criteria to diagnose BV? How many are needed?
- Abnormal gray discharge
- pH more than 4.5
- Whiff test
- clue cells
3/4 needed
Why is treatment needed urgently for pregnant women?
High risk pregnancies there is an increased chance of PROM and pTD
Is vulvovaginal candidiasis an STI?
No, but partners can transmit it
Who is vulval candidiasis more likely to occur in?
Pregnant, obese, DM women
Why are vaginal candida infections more common in younger women?
Candida needs estrogenized tissue to colonize
What are the s/sx of candidiasis?
- Itching
- Burning
- External dysuria
- Dyspareunia
What are the gross characteristics of vaginal candidiasis?
Bright red tissue with odorless cottage cheese discharge
What are the histological findings of candia?
Pseudohyphae
Germ tube = ?
Candida albicans
India ink stain = ?
Cryptococcus neoformans
What is the treatment for recurrent vaginal candidiasis?
Oral fluconazole x6 months
Pts with recurrent vaginal candidiasis should be evaluated for what diseases?
- DM
- Autoimmune diseases
What is the fungi that is resistant to all azoles? Treatment?
T. Glabrata
Intravaginal boric acid
Is trichomoniasis sexually transmitted?
Yes, but can also survive in swimming pools and hot tubs
What is the effect of trichomoniasis and HIV?
Trich increases the transmission of HIV
Strawberry cervix = ?
Trichomonas
How do you diagnose trichomonas?
Microscopic exam of vaginal secretions in saline
Do you treat the partner for trich? In pregnancy?
yes to both
What is atrophic vaginitis?
Atrophy of vaginal epithelium d/t decreased estrogen levels (usually in postmenopausal women)
What changes in the vagina with atrophic vaginitis?
Thinning of the epithelium, and pH elevated to more than 4.7
What are the s/sx of atrophic vaginitis?
- Decreased vaginal discharge
- Dryness
- itching
- burning
- dyspareunia
What is the treatment for atrophic vaginitis?
water based moisturizing preps
Topical/oral estrogen therapy
What is lichen sclerosis?
a disease of unknown cause that results in white patches on the skin, which may cause scarring on and around genital or sometimes other skin
What are the s/sx of lichen sclerosus?
- Intense Pruritus
- dysuria/dyspareunia
- Pain with defecation