Etiologic profile of vaginal infections in Sokoto, Nigeria

Microorganisms associated with vaginal infection were prospectively studied in Sokoto, Nigeria. Samples were collected from patients visiting the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital with symptoms suggestive of vaginal infection, between 1989 and 1992, and were examined microbiologically. Results showed that 376 (37%) of 1005 patients seen were culturally and/or microscopically proven to have vaginal infection. Thirty (8%) of these occurred in children of age less than 15 yrs, while adult cases accounted for 346 (92%). Candida was responsible for 253 (67%) cases, 227 (90%) of which were by C. albicans. Bacterial agents collectively caused 27% of the cases, α-haemolytic Streptococci being the most frequently encountered causative bacteria (38%), followed by Neisseria gonorrhoea (22%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the lowest occurrence (3%). Antibiogram showed that 68 (97%) of cocci bacteria were susceptible to Erythromycin; all the isolates of E. coli and N. gonorrhea were susceptible to Ciprofloxacin, to which all the three isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were also susceptible. Eighteen (81%) of the N. gonorrhoea isolates were penicillinase-producing. Key words: Aetiology, vaginal infection, Sokoto-Nigeria. Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol.2(2) 2004:57-6