Shigella vaginitis: report of 38 patients and review of the literature.

Thirty-eight cases of Shigella vaginitis were identified in a retrospective review of records kept over the past 14 years. The cases of vaginitis were due to three subgroups of Shigella. Vaginitis varied in severity and duration, persisting for several months in some instances. In 47% of the cases, there was associated bloody vaginal discharge. Only two children had diarrhea temporally associated with vaginitis, but six others had had diarrhea. Many treatment modalities were used. Systemic antibiotic therapy appeared more effective than topical antimicrobials in the few patients who could be evaluated. Review of the literature revealed 32 additional cases, including four in adult women.