Nongonococcal And Nonchlamydial Microbial Isolates From High Vaginal Swabs Of Nigerian Women Diagnosed With Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

High vaginal swabs from 1451 Nigerian women clinically diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) were investigated for nongonococcal and nonchlamydial microbial infections using standard techniques. Bacteria were isolated from 623(42.9%, 95% CI., 40.4-45.4%) women, comprising 474(76.1%) monobacterial and 149(23.9%) polybacterial isolates. Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans were isolated from 124(8.5%, 95% CI., 7.1-9.9%) and 611(42.1%, 95% CI., 39.6-44.6%) women respectively. Predominant bacterial isolates were Escherichia coli (34.9%, 95% CI., 29.2-40.6%) and Staphylococcus aureus (27.1%, 95% CI., 24.0-30.2%), while least bacterial isolates were Streptococcus species (5.1%, 95% CI., 3.5-6.7%) and Gardnerella vaginalis (4.3%, 95% CI., 2.9-5.7%). Individuals aged 36-40 years were significantly more infected with bacteria (χ2 =107.97, P<0.05) and C. albicans (χ2 =55.90, P<0.05). While prevalence of T. vaginalis was significantly higher among individuals aged 26-30 years (χ2 =27.46, P<0.05). Routine screening and treatment of women for lower genital tract infections to minimize their role in PID is recommended