Gardnerella
Gardnerella | ||||||||||||
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Gardnerella vaginalis (Gardner and Dukes 1955) Greenwood and Pickett 1980 |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Gardnerella is a genus of gram-variable bacteria of which Gardnerella vaginalis is the only species. Gardnerella vaginalis can cause bacterial vaginosis in some women.
Diagnosis
Laboratory Findings
Culture
Once classified as a species of Haemophilus, G. vaginalis grows as small, circular, convex, gray colonies on chocolate agar; it will also grow on HBT agar. A selective medium for G. vaginalis is colistin-oxolinic acid blood agar.
While typically isolated in genital cultures, it may also be detected from other sources, such as blood, urine and pharynx. Although a chief cause of bacterial vaginosis, it may be isolated from women without any signs or symptoms of infection.
Microscopy
Under the microscope it appears as a gram-negative rod, although it has been reported to have a gram-positive cell wall. It is associated microscopically with clue cells, which are epithelial cells covered in bacteria.
Shown below is an image of clue cells
![](/images/7/7a/Clue_cells_%28Gardnerella_Vaginalis%29.jpg)
Reactions
Infections with G. vaginalis go along with proteolysis, giving nitrous products such as cadaverines and putrescines, which can cause a bad smell and loss of water.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
One method of treatment is metronidazole.