The Threat of Aerobic Vaginitis to Pregnancy and Neonatal Morbidity

Afr J Reprod Health. 2017 Jun;21(2):108-118.

Abstract

Aerobic vaginitis (AV) is an endogenous opportunistic infection brought about by the disruption of the normal vaginal microbiota. Its early diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy may reduce the risk of negative pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this review was to report on the aerobic bacteria most prevalent in AV and to provide evidence of the threat of untreated AV on pregnancy outcomes. More than 300 papers on preterm delivery were extracted from several research domains and filtered to include only AV-associated bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Group B streptococci and their association with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Due to the diverse sample groups, study techniques and outcomes, a meta-analysis was not conducted. The review revealed that the association of AV with adverse pregnancy outcomes has not been as widely researched as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and needs further investigation. Furthermore, the frequent misdiagnosis of AV coupled with the emerging antimicrobial resistance associated with bacteria implicated in AV and neonatal nosocomial infections pose a problem for prophylaxis and treatment to reduce the risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Keywords: Aerobic vaginitis; antimicrobial resistance; pregnancy risks.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Infective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteria, Aerobic* / drug effects
  • Bacterial Infections / complications
  • Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Mortality*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / microbiology*
  • Pregnancy Outcome*
  • Premature Birth / chemically induced
  • Premature Birth / diagnosis
  • Premature Birth / microbiology*
  • Vaginitis / drug therapy
  • Vaginitis / microbiology*
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents