Acta Microbiologica 34. (1987)
3–4. szám - Ternai, A.–Kulcsár, G.–Dán, P.–Pataki, I.–Veszelovszky, I.–Nász, I.: Cervical and Vaginal Microflora of Women Under Screening
TERNAI et al. Materials and methods Sevenhundred women 20 to 65 years of age, suffering from gynecological complaints, mostly from vaginal discharge, were examined. Of them, 500 were tested for bacteria, fungi and protozoa, further 200 for adenovirus and herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens. Gram stains were examined for bacteria and fungi and Giemsa stains for protozoa. Bacteria were cultured on nutrient media of routine use. Acid or alkaline reaction was tested with litmus paper. For detecting viral antigens, the portio vaginalis uteri was sampled with a cotton swab and each sample was spread on a slide. The preparations were left to dry at room temperature, fixed in acetone and treated with rabbit antiserum conjugates. The anti-adenovirus serum was conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate, whereas the anti-HSV serum with rhodamine. Immunofluorescence was examined with a Zeiss—Fluoval microscope as described earlier [15, 16]. Results The incidence and frequency of bacteria, fungi and protozoa and their distribution in samples of acid and alkaline reaction are presented in Table I. Pathogens and opportunistic pathogens were detected in 170 of the 500 samples tested. Most of them, most frequently Escherichia coli, occurred in samples with alkaline reaction. Among the 200 samples examined for viral antigens 100 had acid, the other 100 alkaline reaction. Of the 200 women, 50 were pregnant. The incidence and percentage of adenovirus and HSV antigen is shown in Fig. 1. HSV antigen was detected in 11% only in alkaline samples taken from the 150 non-pregnant women. In samples with acid reaction only adenovirus antigen was detectable, significantly more frequently in pregnant women (33%) than in non-pregnant ones (12%). Table I Opportunistic pathogens found in acid and alkaline vaginal samples* * Total no of samples tested = 500 Secretions of acid pH alkaline pH Escherichia coli9 114 Proteus3 to cc Staphylococcus4 73 Candida albicans2 64 Trichomonas 33 29 Totals 51 308 Acta Microbiologica Hungarica 34, 1987