Association Between Vaginal Microbiota and Recurrence of Vaginal Infections at DHQ Hospital, Mirpur AJK

Sara Akram, Aurooj Fatima, Hina Zubair, Nasreen Akhter and
Mubashra Ghulam Muhammad

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this study was to thoroughly investigate the relationship between vaginal microbiota composition and the recurrence of vaginal infections.

Study Design: A cohort study was successfully conducted.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, DHQ Hospital & Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College, Mirpur, AJK from 1st February 2023 to 30th January 2024.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted over 12 months to comprehensively investigate the microbiological profile and contributing factors for recurrent vaginal infections among 400 women aged 18–45 years. Participants were systematically recruited from gynecology clinics, and eligibility criteria required them to have experienced at least three episodes of vaginal infections in the past year. Women who were pregnant, breastfeeding, or had recently been treated with antibiotics or antifungal medications were strictly excluded.

Results: Significant differences were found in the vaginal microbiota of women with recurrent infections compared to those without recurrence. A significantly lower prevalence of Lactobacillus species (p < 0.001) was clearly observed in women with recurrent infections, while Gardnerella vaginalis (69% vs. 33%, p = 0.004) and Candida albicans (56% vs. 25%, p = 0.002) were found to be notably more prevalent in the recurrent infection group. Post-treatment analysis revealed that 52% of women consistently exhibited dysbiosis, characterized by microbial imbalance, and 41% of these women frequently experienced recurrent infections during the 12-month follow-up period.

Conclusion: The recurrence of vaginal infections was found to be strongly associated with imbalances in the vaginal microbiota, particularly the dominance of pathogenic organisms over beneficial Lactobacillus species.

Key Words: Vaginal microbiota, recurrent vaginal infections, bacterial vaginosis

Citation of article: Akram S, Fatima A, Zubair H, Akhter N, Muhammad MG. Association between Vaginal Microbiota and Recurrence of Vaginal Infections at DHQ Hospital, Mirpur AJK. Med Forum 2024;35(11): 72-75. doi:10.60110/medforum.351115.