Bacterial vaginosis is a condition caused by the overgrowth of
bacteria that normally live in the vagina. Women with bacterial
vaginosis often have no symptoms, but some women have vaginal
discharge, odor, or itching. Pregnant women with bacterial
vaginosis are more likely than women without the condition to
have babies who are premature or have low birthweight. Doctors
can test for the condition by swabbing the vagina during pelvic
examination and sending the swabs to the laboratory. To treat
bacterial vaginosis, a woman takes an antibiotic either by mouth
or by a gel inserted into the vagina. Unfortunately, bacterial
vaginosis frequently persists or occurs again after treatment.
It would be helpful if doctors could predict which patients are
at high risk for persistent or recurrent bacterial vaginosis.
Recently, studies have identified several types of bacteria
associated with bacterial vaginosis. It is possible that certain
types of bacteria are linked to a high risk for vaginosis that
persists or recurs a