Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

What vaginal microbiota change is associated with BV?

Decreased Lactobacillus and increased Gardnerella vaginalis plus anaerobes.

What is the hallmark symptom of BV?

Thin gray-white discharge with a fishy odor.

What are clue cells?

Vaginal epithelial cells coated with bacteria.

Which drugs commonly treat BV?

Metronidazole or clindamycin.

What happens to vaginal pH during BV?

The normal acidic environment is lost and pH increases.

What organism is most strongly associated with BV?

Gardnerella vaginalis.

What complication can occur if BV spreads upward?

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can lead to infertility.

Why is BV especially important during pregnancy?

It is associated with premature birth.

What disease are clue cells most strongly associated with?

Bacterial vaginosis.

Under the microscope, what happens to the borders of a clue cell?

The borders appear fuzzy or obscured because they are coated with bacteria. (This is a common instructor point, consistent with the slide description of epithelial cells covered with bacteria.)

What type of cell becomes a clue cell?

A vaginal epithelial cell.

BV microscopy finding vs. Candida microscopy finding?

BV = clue cells; Candida = yeast cells.