Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis is not a mono-factorial infection. A synergism of microaerophilic bacteria, Mycoplasma spp., and anaerobic bacteria such as Atopobium vaginae, Porphyromonas spp., Bacteroides spp., Prevotella spp., and others are involved in these infections. The aim of present study was to determine the prevalence of Atopobium vaginae in non-pregnant women suffering from bacterial vaginosis.
Materials and Methods: A total of 102 non-pregnant women who referred to ShahidAkbarabadi hospital in Tehran were tested for bacterial vaginosis. In order to isolate Atopobiumvaginae the sample was cultured on Colombia agar containing Amphotericin B, Nalidixic acid and Colistin. Additionally, they were simultaneously cultured on blood agar plates containing fresh human blood and Amphotericin B under anaerobic conditions. After extraction DNA from colonies and vaginal specimens, PCR amplification was performed by using specific primers for detection of Atopobiumvaginae.
Results: From a total of 102 women who referred to the hospital, 38 cases were confirmed for bacterial vaginosi. With PCR assay, 25 of these 38 cases (%65) were positive for Atopobiumvaginae.
Conclusion: This is the first report of isolation of Atopobiumvaginae in Iran.The results of this investigation points to a clear association ofAtopobiumvaginaewith bacterial vaginosis and Atopobiumvaginae should also be considered as a probable etiological agent