Vulvovaginal disorders Flashcards
components of the Normal Flora
- Aerobes, anaerobes, and yeast
- Anaerobes 10x > aerobes
- Lactobacillus
- Skin and GI tract flora - Exempt from normal bactericidal immune activity
- Convert glycogen in vaginal mucosal secretions to lactic acid
- Normal vaginal pH - 4.0 - 4.5
- Postmenopausal - 6.5 - 7.0
what alters the vaginal flora?
- age - low estrogen lvls = less Lactobacillus; Estrogen replacement restores vaginal lactobacilli
- menses - mainly in first days; possibly 2/2 hormonal changes; Menstrual fluid may nourish bacteria
- abx - eradication of normal flora
- Changes in reproductive tract - hysterectomy, pregnancy
- Foreign substances
- Dec overall health
- Poor eating habits - esp sugary foods
- Meds - BC, abx, steroids
- Immunosuppression
how to restore vaginal flora
- Avoidance of aggravating or predisposing factors
- Antimicrobial regimen for treatment or prophylaxis of overgrowth
- Probiotic dosing
MCC of Candidal Vulvovaginitis
Candida albicans - 90%
Candidal Vulvovaginitis
often associated with what other causes/conditions:
- Systemic disorder - DM, HIV, obesity
- Pregnancy
- Meds - abx, steroids, BC
- Chronic debilitation
- Intense vulvar pruritus +/- excoriations
- Thick, white, “cottage cheese” discharge
- Usually with minimal odor
- Vulvar erythema and possible edema
- Burning sensation may follow urination
Candidal Vulvovaginitis
w/u for candidal vulvovaginitis
- Vaginal pH - mildly elevated (pH 4-5)
-
Saline Prep
- 1 drop vaginal discharge with 1 drop normal saline
- Apply coverslip and examine under microscope
- Candidiasis - branching filaments, pseudohyphae - KOH Prep
- 1 drop discharge w/ 10% aq KOH
- Dissolves epithelial cells and debris and facilitates visualization of fungal mycelia - Cx - gold standard for diagnosis
on microscopy you see budding yeast, pseudohyphae, dx?
candidiasis
tx for Candidal Vulvovaginitis
- Topical or oral antifungals, boric acid, gentian violet - Most respond to 1-3 days of topical azole creams or a single dose of fluconazole 150 mg PO
what is considered “complicated” in candidal vulvovaginitis?
tx?
4+ episodes/yr, severe sx, non-albicans, uncontrolled DM, HIV, steroids, pregnancy
- 7-14 d of topical therapy or 2 doses of oral fluconazole
- Cx to confirm dx
- Consider boric acid
Available OTC and rx
Less risk for systemic SE
Messy application
Weaken latex
May provide more rapid s/s relief
which type of antifungal tx?
Intravaginal antifungal creams
Available by rx only
Higher risk for systemic SE
More convenient
Overuse → resistance?
Delayed relief of symptoms
Cannot use in 1st trimester
which type of antifungal tx?
Oral antifungal therapy
Available OTC
Work better for non-candidal infections
Cannot use in pregnancy
Harmful if taken orally by mistake
which tx?
Boric acid intravaginal
Available OTC
Does not work well with other topical therapies
Caution in pregnancy - no studies
Discoloration of skin
which tx?
Gentian Violet
inserted into vagina qhs using applicator
Cream or suppository; often also can use externally
Varying treatment lengths depending on medication - single-dose, 3 day, 7 day, 14 day
Vaginal Antifungal Therapy
MOA of Vaginal Antifungal Therapy
inhibit enzyme for cell membrane synthesis
which vaginal antifungal therapy increases permeability of cell walls
nystatin
SE and DDI of Vaginal Antifungal Therapy
- SE - burning, itching, swelling, rash, discharge; rare - HA, cramps
- DDI - rarely may potentiate warfarin
MOA of Oral Antifungal Therapy
inhibits enzyme for cell membrane synthesis
SE and DDI of PO antifungal therapy
- SE - GI upset, abd pain, dizziness, HA, drowsiness, allergic rxn; Rare - dysrhythmia/palpitations (prolongs QT)
- DDI - erythromycin, clopidogrel, warfarin, theophylline, sulfonylureas, thiazides, cimetidine, hepatotoxic drugs
new drug in triterpenoid class
Better long-term prevention of recurrent VVC than azoles
inhibits glucan synthase enzyme, used to make cell wall
Ibrexafungerp (Brexafemme)
SE and DDI of Ibrexafungerp
- SE - GI upset (N/V/D), abdominal pain
- Rare - elevated AST/ALT, rash, back pain, vaginal bleeding
- CI in pregnancy - DDI - grapefruit, anticonvulsants, azole antifungals
- Most helpful in non-candidal infections
- Cannot be used in pregnancy
- 1 capsule intravaginally (PV) QHS x 7 d
- interferes with fungal metabolism
Boric Acid Intravaginal
Size 0 gelatin capsules filled with boric acid, which is about ? mg
600
SE and DDI of boric acid intravaginal
- SE - local irritation or inflammation
- Toxic if taken internally - DDI - not common
how to use gentian violet
Apply 1% topically QD x once (acute) or x 10-14 d (recurrent)
- May apply to clean tampon and insert
- Remove 3-4 hrs after tampon insertion
- Should not use tampons for menstrual
flow while performing this therapy
MOA of gentian violet
may inhibit protein synthesis
SE and DDI of gentian violet
- SE - topical irritation, staining or
- discoloration of clothing and skin
- DDI - none known
tx for Recurrent cases of candidal vulvovaginitis
May use prophylactic antifungals for up to 6 months
- Azoles - PO 1x/week or PV 1-2x/week
- Boric acid - PV once every two weeks
- Gentian violet - PV/externally QD x 10-14 d, then PRN
prevention for Candidal Vulvovaginitis
- Keep vulvovaginal area dry - Avoid non-absorbent undergarments
- Control underlying systemic disease
- Avoid excessive glucose dietary intake
- DC complicating meds
- Consider prophylactic antifungals with abx
Overgrowth of abnormal bacterial flora
Often polymicrobial - Gardnerella vaginalis often present
Not considered STI, but rare in nonsexually active patients
Bacterial Vaginosis
Milky, homogenous, malodorous vaginal discharge, often with minimal inflammation
More noticeable after unprotected intercourse
“Fishy” smell, enhanced after KOH prep
Lack of vaginal mucosal inflammation on exam
Bacterial Vaginosis
BV is Associated with increased risk of ?
preterm delivery
w/u for BV
- Vaginal pH - usually elevated (pH 5.5 - 7)
-
Saline Prep
- 1 drop vaginal discharge with 1 drop normal saline
- Apply coverslip and examine under microscope
- BV - “clue cells” - epithelial cells covered with bacteria -
KOH Prep
- 1 drop discharge with 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide
- BV - fishy odor present or increased after KOH (“whiff test”) - Can also do Gram stain and culture of discharge
- Cx often not helpful - polymicrobial condition
tx for BV
- Metronidazole (Flagyl/Metrogel)
- Clindamycin (Cleocin)
- PO Tinidazole (Tindamax) - avoid in preg
- PO Secnidazole (Solosec) - avoid in preg
MOA of nitroimidazoles
binds to and deactivates enzymes
best nitroimidazoles for pregnant pts
PO metronidazole or clindamycin
SE of Nitroimidazoles
dizziness, HA, false lab results (LFTs and TG)
- GU - dark colored urine, local irritation (vaginal)
- GI - abdominal pain, GI upset, dry mouth, glossitis, altered taste
- Rare - neurotoxicity, anaphylaxis, serotonin syndrome
DDI of nitroimidazoles
alcohol (up to 3 days after use), disulfiram (up to 2 weeks before/after use), anticoagulants, phenytoin, lithium
MOA of clinda
binds to ribosomes blocking protein synthesis
SE of clinda
C. diff and pseudomembranous colitis, local irritation (vaginal)
- GI - abdominal pain, GI upset, altered taste
- Rare - blood dyscrasias, hepatotoxicity, anaphylaxis, polyarthritis
DDI of clinda
macrolides, neuromuscular drugs, antiperistaltic drugs
how to prevent BV
Avoidance of factors altering nml vaginal flora
Under investigation:
1. Probiotic supplements - oral or intravaginal
1. Boric acid with EDTA suppositories
1. Microbiome transplant
1. Acidifying vaginal douches - Vaginal douching not recommended
- Unicellular flagellate protozoan
- Most prevalent non-viral STD in the US - Rarely transmitted outside of sexual activity
- Associated with perinatal complications and increased HIV transmission
Trichomonal Vaginitis
- Profuse, extremely frothy, greenish, at times foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- possible vulvar pruritus, urinary sx
- generalized vaginal erythema with multiple small petechiae - “strawberry cervix;” edema/tenderness of labia minora, vestibule
Trichomonal Vaginitis
w/u for Trichomonal Vaginitis
- Vaginal pH - elevated (pH >5-5.5)
-
Saline Prep
- 1 drop vaginal discharge with 1 drop normal saline
- Apply coverslip and examine under microscope
- Trichomonas - actively motile trichomonads -
Other tests - can give false + results
- Immunochromatographic rapid test - 10 minutes
- Nucleic acid probe - 45 minutes
- Pap smears may reveal infection
- Cx - most sensitive and specific method