Vaginal infections in women undergoing in vitro fertilization

Abstract number: r2115

Nicoloudi  A., Kazakos  A., Kalliakostas  N., Dimopoulou  M., Koufogiorga  E., Patili  D., Zagotzidou  E.

Objective: 

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of pathogens bacteria in vaginal and cervical samples from women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Material and methods: 

Vaginal and cervical smears were examined from 99 women aged 18–50, who visited our hospital for pre-IVF screening (Group A) and from 320 women of the same age who attended the out patient Gynaecology dpt (Group B) during the last three years. Vaginal and cervical samples were examined microscopically for Trichomonas vaginalis, yeast, clue cells and cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Chlamydia trachomatis was detected with DIF (Cellabs Pty Ltd, Australia). Urogenital mycoplasmas were identified by biochemical method (Mycoplasma system, Liofilchem s.r.l., Italy). In Group A, 69% were Greeks and 31% immigrants.

Results: 

No significant difference was found between Group A and Group B referring the prevalence of Bacterial vaginosis (BV), Candida albicans and Streptococcus agalactiae. T. vaginalis was found only in Group B (3%). In Group A the prevalence of BV was higher in Greeks (10%) than in immigrants (3%), while in Group B was 8% and 11% respectively. In Group A, C. trachomatis was found in 7 women (4% Greeks and 13% immigrants), while in Group B in 8% and 11% respectively. The incidence of Ureoplasma urealyticum in Group A was 10% in Greeks and 19% in immigrants, while in Group B was 23% and 29% respectively.

Conclusions: 

1. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of BV, C. albicans and S. agalactiae between Group A and Group B.

2. The incidence of BV in Greeks of Group A was significantly higher than in immigrants. In Group B the incidence of BV in immigrants was higher in comparison to Greeks.

3. The prevalence of C. trachomatis and U. urealiticum was considerably higher among immigrants than Greeks.

4. C. trachomatis was found more frequently in Greeks of Group B than those of Group A.

5. U. urealiticum was detected in higher rate (26%) in Group B than in Group A (14%).