The role and prevalence of Gardnerella vaginalis in anaerobic vaginosis.

310 cases of anaerobic vaginosis and 80 asymptomatic females were studied for the detection of various organisms from their genital specimens. The main complaint of the symptomatic cases was vaginal discharge. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis. Bacteroides species, anaerobic cocci and Gardnerella vaginalis were detected. The frequency of detection of all except C. albicans was less in pregnant than non-pregnant women. However, the prevalence of anaerobes and G. vaginalis was significantly lower in both the symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant than the non-pregnant women. G. vaginalis showed mutualism with anaerobic bacteria and was not isolated as a pure culture in any of the cases. It appears that G. vaginalis, like anaerobes, has variable prevalence rates and is under the influence of local physiological and hormonal factors. This organism does not appear to have a primary pathogenic role, but assumes a secondary role in association with non-sporing anaerobes in the pathogenesis of anaerobic vaginosis.