Vaginitis associated with vaginal malodour.

In two general practices in Perth, Western Australia, the most common microbiological causes of vaginal discomfort in 368 patients were Candida albicans. Gardnerella (Haemophilus) vaginalis, Trichomonas vaginalis and bacteroides fragilis. Amongst patients with abnormal vaginal odour, with or without vaginitis, the most common cause of odour was G. vaginalis. The writers advocate that heavy growths of group B streptococci, Escherichia coli, and enterococci should be considered to be the possible cause of vaginal discomfort. This reinforces the need for care in collection, transportation, and microbiological examination of swabs of the female genital tract. as well as in the clinical interpretation of these reports.