TITLE:
Etiological Surveillance of Vaginal Discharge and Associated Risk Factors among Young Female Students Presenting to a University Clinic in Ghana
AUTHORS:
Adwoa Asante-Poku, Daniel Boateng, Christian Bonsu, Mohammed Yussif, Gloria Ansa, Kenneth Mawuta Hayibor
KEYWORDS:
Abnormal Vaginal Discharge, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Bacteria Isolates, Antibiotics Resistance
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Microbiology,
Vol.15 No.3,
March
13,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: In adolescents and young females, abnormal vaginal discharge (AVD) is of prevalent concern. The syndromic therapy of AVD is difficult due to the prevalence of mixed infection with sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens and non-STI causes such as bacterial infections and candidiasis. We aimed to determine the prevalence of AVD etiologies in women presenting to a university clinic in Ghana. Methods: Consenting female students presenting with abnormal vaginal discharge were enrolled in the study. Clinical and demographic data, signs, symptoms duration, and color of the discharge at diagnosis, were obtained from each participant. Genital discharge swabs were collected and transported to the laboratory for analysis. Results: A total of 153 women presenting with abnormal vagina discharge were enrolled in the study clinic. Overall, 48 (31.4%) of the participants tested positive for at least one STIs. Candida species were isolated in 71 (46.4%) of the participants. Bacteria were detected in 83 (54.2%) of the samples and the commonest isolates were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae. Overall, sensitivity across gram-positive bacterial isolates was highest to cefuroxime and gentamycin while penicillin showed the highest resistance. The most sensitive antibiotics to gram-negative bacteria isolates were gentamycin, cefuroxime, and clotrimazole while ampicillin exhibited the highest resistance. Conclusions: Bacterial infections are the most prevalent cause of AVD; however, STI coinfection and fungal infections are also common. Laboratory analysis of vaginal samples should be performed on patients with AVD and the drug susceptibility pattern of each bacteria isolate should be determined.