Gardnerella Vaginalis - Clinical Significance

Clinical Significance

Gardnerella vaginalis is a facultatively anaerobic Gram-variable rod that can cause bacterial vaginosis in some women as a result of a disruption in the normal vaginal microflora. The resident facultative anaerobic Lactobacillus population in the vagina are responsible for the acidic environment. Once the anaerobes have supplanted the normal vaginal bacteria, prescription antibiotics with anaerobic coverage may have to be given to eliminate the G. vaginalis and allow the balance to be restored.

While typically isolated in genital cultures, it may also be detected in other samples from blood, urine, and pharynx. Although G. vaginalis is a major species present in bacterial vaginosis, it can also be isolated from women without any signs or symptoms of infection.

It has a Gram-positive cell wall, but because the cell wall is so thin it can appear either Gram-positive or Gram-negative under the microscope. It is associated microscopically with clue cells, which are epithelial cells covered in bacteria.

G. vaginalis produces a pore-forming toxin, vaginolysin, which affects only human cells.

Protease and sialidase enzyme activities frequently accompany G. vaginalis.