BACKGROUND: A prospective microbiological study of the vaginal swab specimens from premenarcheal girls with clinical diagnosis of vulvovaginitis was done from the 1st of September 1991 to the 31st of August 1994. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vaginal secretions from premenarcheal girls with clinical findings were examined. Most important pathogenic agents were investigated and if there was an inflammatory reaction in the Gram stain and a heavy growth on culture, other potentially pathogenic agents were considered also. RESULTS: In 70 (28.7%) of the 262 patients a potentially pathogenic microorganism was found: eight cases (3.0%) due to Streptococcus pyogenes, four cases (1.5%) due to Candida albicans. Only in one case Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated. Among the uncertain etiologic agents, Haemophilus influenzae was the most frequently isolated (7.6%). In 25 (12.6%) of the 198 patients Enterobius vermicularis ova were visualized. CONCLUSIONS: Streptococcus pyogenes was the most frequently related organism with the vulvovaginitis syndrome among the traditionally established pathogens. The role of Haemophilus influenzae should be considered due to the high prevalence of isolation in this group of patients. We consider that differential diagnosis with Enterobius vermicularis infestation should be done in all cases.
BACKGROUND: A prospective microbiological study of the vaginal swab specimens from premenarcheal girls with clinical diagnosis of vulvovaginitis was done from the 1st of September 1991 to the 31st of August 1994. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vaginal secretions from premenarcheal girls with clinical findings were examined. Most important pathogenic agents were investigated and if there was an inflammatory reaction in the Gram stain and a heavy growth on culture, other potentially pathogenic agents were considered also. RESULTS: In 70 (28.7%) of the 262 patients a potentially pathogenic microorganism was found: eight cases (3.0%) due to Streptococcus pyogenes, four cases (1.5%) due to Candida albicans. Only in one case Neisseria gonorrhoeae was isolated. Among the uncertain etiologic agents, Haemophilus influenzae was the most frequently isolated (7.6%). In 25 (12.6%) of the 198 patients Enterobius vermicularis ova were visualized. CONCLUSIONS:Streptococcus pyogenes was the most frequently related organism with the vulvovaginitis syndrome among the traditionally established pathogens. The role of Haemophilus influenzae should be considered due to the high prevalence of isolation in this group of patients. We consider that differential diagnosis with Enterobius vermicularis infestation should be done in all cases.