Bacterial Flora of the Vagina and Cervix in Non-pregnant Nigerian Women

Abstract

A qualitative comparative study of the bacterial flora of the vagina and cervix of 90 non-pregnant women of reproductive age (18 35 years) Calabar was undertaken. The study revealed that both aerobic and microaerophili organism as well as the strictly anaerobic bacteria constitute the microflora of the lower genital of this group of women. Of the 90 women sample, Lactobacili were the most frequent isolated organism in both the cervix and vagina , occurring in 62.2% and 75.6% of the sample respectively. Proteus species were the least in incidence, occurring in only 4% of either the cervical or vaginal specimens. The following pathogenic organisms were isolated in both the vagina and cervix. Escherichia coil, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Clostridium species and Beta-haemolytic streptococci. In general, the same types of organism were isolated in both the cervical and vaginal sample, although the incidence in the two sources varied.

Key Words: Bacterial flora, vagina, cervix, non-pregnant women, reproductive age.

[Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2004;21:49-51]