Vaginal and Extra-Vaginal Bacterial Colonization and Risk for Incident Bacterial Vaginosis in a Population of Women Who Have Sex With Men.

BACKGROUND

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common cause of vaginal discharge and associated with vaginal acquisition of BV-associated bacteria (BVAB).

METHODS

We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays to determine whether presence or concentrations of BVAB in the mouth, anus, vagina, or labia before BV predict risk of incident BV in 72 women who have sex with men.

RESULTS

Baseline vaginal and extra-vaginal colonization with Gardnerella spp, Megasphaera spp, Sneathia spp, BVAB-2, Dialister sp type 2, and other BVAB was more common among subjects with incident BV.

CONCLUSIONS

Prior colonization with BVAB is a consistent risk for BV.