OB/gyn Week 4a Gynecologic Infxns Normal Vaginal Ecosystem • pH ~ 4.0 – Estrogen stimulates glycogen – Glycogen metabolized to lactic acid by lactobacillus (healthy vaginal flora) • Many aerobic, anaerobic, and fungal organisms present • Normal vaginal secretions (vary with cycle) – White, floccular, odorless – Present in fornix, not usually on vaginal walls Vulvovaginitis • Vaginal discharge is the most common symptom in gynecology • Three common infectious causes – Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) – Trichomonas vaginalis – Candida albicans • Common non-infectious causes – Atrophic vaginitis – Desquamative inflammatory vaginitis Vulvovaginitis • Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) – Most common vaginal infection – Associated with PID, endometritis, premature rupture of membranes during labor, post-op infections of upper genital tract – Can occur with or without sexual activity (treat partner if infection is recurrent or stubborn) • Trichomonas – Not associated with upper tract infections – May be a vector for other bacterial or viral diseases – Sexually transmitted • Candida – Not strictly considered an STI – Not associated with upper tract infections – Symptoms may be hypersensitivity related Vulvovaginitis • Less common causes of vulvovaginitis – Cytolytic Vaginosis (CV) • Not an STI • Not associated with upper tract disease • Cells lyse, which is painful. – Lactobacillosis (LB) • Same as above • Cells don’t lyse. Evaluation of Vaginal Discharge • History – Problem focused – HPI, PMHx, PFSHx, ROS, use of irritants or allergens • PE – vulvar inspection, speculum exam, bimanual exam • Lab/Diagnostic testing – pH – Wet mount – Cultures if appropriate – PAP if appropriate – Serology and other blood tests as appropriate Vaginal discharge Present at introitus Color Viscosity Consistency Location in vagina Normal BV No Yes White Gray Trich Candida Yes Yes Profuse Yellowgray High Low Low Floccular Thin Thin Frothy Fornix Vaginal Vaginal walls Walls White High Curdy Vaginal walls Sx Normal None BV Odor, Discharge PE Normal No inflammation pH Amine <4.5 Neg >4.5 Pos Wet mount Lacto- Clue cells, bacillus decreased Lactobacillus Trich Pruritus, Profuse discharge, Odor Erythema, Edema >4.5 Occ. Pos Candida Pruritus, Discharge Erythema, Excoriation <4.5 Neg Motile Hyphae or organisms, budding WBC’s yeast Desquamative Inflammatory Vaginitis • Cause unknown - may be autoimmune • Sx’s – purulent discharge, burning, dyspareunia • Vagina and vulva erythematous • pH > 4.5 • Absence of lactobacilli Atrophic Vaginitis • Common in peri, post-menopausal women • Result of decreased estrogen activity – Less glycogen, less lactic acid, pH rises • • • • • Sx’s – vaginal pruritus, burning, spotting Discharge minimal Vaginal walls thin, lack rugae pH >5 Wet mount – decreased lactobacillus, parabasal cells, WBC’s Cytolytic Vaginosis & Lactobacillosis • Cause unknown • Sx’s – from thin/watery to thick/curdy discharge, burning, dyspareunia • pH 3.5-4.5 (Lower than normal pH ) • Overgrowth of lactobacilli • In CV, cytolysis of vaginal epithelial cells TREATMENT OF VULVOVAGINITIS • Bacterial Vaginosis – Conventional • Metronidazole (oral and/or topical) • Clindamycin (oral and/or topical) Bacterial Vaginosis • Naturopathic treatment – Strategies • • • • • Lower pH Promote immune response Restore flora balance Reduce inflammation Provide anti-microbial activity SAMPLE TREATMENT REGIMEN FOR BV • Nutrition – Avoid refined CHO (carbos) – Live culture yogurt • Vitamin A and/or E vaginal suppositories • Lactobacillus – 1 capsule vaginally X 7 days • Boric acid – 600 mg vaginal suppository – 1 daily X 7 days TRICHOMONAS • Conventional treatment – Metronidazole • Treatment of partner may be indicated TRICHOMONAS • Naturopathic treatment – Strategies – same as BV • Sample treatment regimen for trichomonas – Immune and anti-inflammatory support as indicated – Melaleuca oil (tea tree) suppositories 1 vaginally X 7-10 days – this is 40% tea tree oil – Lactobacillus vaginal suppositories CANDIDA VULVOVAGINITIS • Conventional treatment – Topical imidazoles or triazoles – creams or suppositories 1, 3, or 7 days OR – Nystatin 100,000 unit vaginal tablet X 14 days OR – Fluconazole oral 150 mg single dose CANDIDA VULVOVAGINITIS • Naturopathic treatment – Same as BV except no pH lowering • Sample treatment regimen for candida – Nutrition • Avoid refined CHO • Live culture yogurt – Immune and anti-inflammatory treatments as indicated – Boric acid suppositories 600 mg vaginally qD X 3-7 days – Lactobacillus suppositories 1 vaginally qD X 3-7 days – Vitamin A and E vaginal suppositories Treatment for CV (Cytolytic Vaginosis ) • Conventional – Increase vaginal pH • Douche or sitz bath in Na bicarbonate – 1 tsp. In 1 pint H2O 1-2 X week OR – 2-4 TBSP in 2 inches warm bath water 15 min. 2-3 X week • Discontinue tampon use for at least 6 months • Naturopathic – Same as above – (don’t use probiotics to treat these!) Treatment for Desquamative Vaginitis • Conventional – Intravaginal corticosteroids OR – 2% clindamycin cream – anti-inflammatory – Recurrence rate 30% - treat again if necessary • Naturopathic – Strategies –soothe tissue and restore flora • Calendula herbal douche or suppositories daily X 7 days • Saline douche? • Probiotic suppositiories X 7 days ATROPHIC VAGINITIS • Conventional treatment – Topical estrogen cream (vaginally) OR – Oral estrogen OR – Transdermal estrogen OR – Vaginal lubricants PRN - Replens Atrophic Vaginitis – Treatment Strategies • Support endogenous estrogen activity • Supply exogenous estrogen • Provide anti-inflammatory support – Sample treatment regimen • Soy and other phytoestrogens in diet • Vitamin E suppositories 400 iu vaginally 1 X week • Oral phytoestrogens as indicated • DHEA may help treat vaginal atrophy • Stimulate vaginal epithelium but not uternine endometrium • Increased bone density [From Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database] Vaginitis: General Preventative Measures • • • • • • Avoid sexual activity during treatment Wear loose fitting clothing Wear cotton underwear Do not douche routinely Wash/bathe with gentle, non-irritating soaps Barrier contraceptive techniques may reduce recurrence and transmission (partner to partner) • Eat a whole foods diet CERVICITIS • Cervix is made up of two epithelial cell types – Squamous and columnar • Squamous epithelium is the ectocervix – BV, trich, candida, HSV, HPV can infect • Columnar epithelium is the endocervix – between them is transitional zone • Mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC) is an infection of the columnar epithelium of the cervix – Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) are primary infectious agents Diagnosis of MPC • Symptoms – – – – Vaginal discharge Dyspareunia (pain with sex) Postcoital bleeding Spotting UP TO 60% OF WOMEN WITH CT or GC ARE ASYMPTOMATIC • Signs – Hypertrophy and/or edema of cervix – Mucopurulent, yellow discharge from cervix • Diagnosis confirmed by gram stain of discharge • Organism ID’d by culture or PCR test of endocervical or urine sample Treatment of MPC • Conventional treatment is antibiotics (CDC has current recommendations) • Naturopathic treatment – Conventional antibiotic AND – Immune support – Oral probiotic support • COMPLICATIONS OF UNTREATED CT/GC INCLUDE PID, SALPINGITIS, INFERTILITY KEY CONCEPTS • Appropriate Hx critical to providing diagnostic information • Vulvovaginitis – BV, Trich, Candida, CV, LB, DIV, atrophic vaginitis – Diagnosed with characteristics of discharge, pH, wet mount – Naturopathic treatments effective • Cervicitis – – – – – CT, GC main causes Often asymptomatic, or mucopurulent discharge Dx by culture or PCR of endocervical sample Antibiotics with adjunct support is optimum tx approach Ineffective treatment can result in PID, infertility Infestations: Crab Lice • Pediculosis Pubis: crab louse (Phthirus pubis) infestation – Different species than head or body louse – Transmitted by close (usually sexual) contact, MAY also be via infected towels, or bedding – Most contagious of all STDs – Eggs deposited on base of pubic hair Pubic Lice • Symptoms: – Itching in pubic area – Allergic sensitization develops over at least 5 days to weeks – Definitive diagnosis via microscopic visualization of louse Pubic Lice • Crab louse: Infestations: Scabies • Scabies: parasitic infection of itch mite (Saroptes scabiei) • Transmitted by close contact and infected bedding/ clothes • Widespread over body (no predilection for hairy areas as lice) • Travels rapidly over skin, but able to survive only a few hours away from warmth of skin • Predilection for warm, moist areas (folds of skin or under elastic bands) • Not exclusively a gynecological infection Scabies • Symptoms – Severe, intermittent itching – Onset of itching may be up to 3 weeks after infection – Red, thin, burrow under skin surface – May imitate any other itchy dermatological condition Scabies Infestations: Treatment Conventional • Pediculosis pubis: Permethrin 1% cream rinse applied to pubic area, rinsed off after 10 minutes • Scabies: Permethrin 5% cream applied all over body (except face) overnight (8-14 hours), then washed off *Permethrin is neurotoxic and carcinogenic Natural treatments take more time and care to achieve results - wash all bedding/clothes/etc, apply mix of tea tree oil and olive oil to area Viral infections: Molluscum Contagiosum • Molluscum Contagiosum – In children may appear all over body – In adults it is an asymptomatic viral disease of primarily the vulvar skin – Appear as small nodules or domed papules, have “umbilicated center” – Caused by poxvirus – Mildly contagious; spread via sexual and nonsexual contact and auto-inocculation Molluscum Contagiosum Molluscum Contagiosum • Molluscum contagiosum treatment: – – – – Cryosurgery Electrocautery Excision Trichloroacetic acid or Ferric subsulfate or iodine Viral Infections: Genital Warts • Condyloma acuminatum: genital warts – HPV – Clinically recognizable, macroscopic lesion in only 30% of cases – Prevalence as high as 50% in sexually active teenagers with multiple partners – Several morphologic types – May occur singularly or in clusters – Usually asymptomatic but may cause pain, itching, tendency to bleed depending on size and location Genital Warts Genital Warts • Treatment of external genital warts – – – – Cryosurgery Surgical excision Laser surgery Chemical applications • • • Podofilox 0.5% solution Podophyllin resin 10%-25% Imiquimod 5% cream – Natural therapies • • Immune support Topical thuja oil Viral Infections: HSV • Genital herpes – Herpes simplex virus HSV I (classically oral) and HSV II (classically genital) – Recurrent, incurable epidemic disease – 60 million individuals in US infected • 80% unaware • Asymptomatic transmission – Not physically debilitating but overwhelming psychologic burden HSV • Herpes simplex virus – – – – Majority new infections in women ages 15-35 Incubation period 3-7 days Multiple crops of ulcers for 2-6 weeks Prodrome: tingling sensation prior to outbreak – contagious as of this stage – Viral shedding 2-3 weeks after vulvar lesions appear – Severe vulvar pain, tenderness, inguinal adenopathy, pruritis, discharge – Systemic symptoms such as fever, malaise, associated with primary outbreak HSV • Herpes simplex virus – Average four recurrences during the first year – Recurrences may be asymptomatic – 80% chance recurrence first year with HSVII; 55% HSVI – Recurrences triggered by stress, menses, illness – Recurrent infections may appear in extra-genital sites – Virus resides in a latent phase in dorsal root ganglia of S2-S-4 HSV HSV • Major concern is risk of transmission – Avoid sexual intercourse from onset of prodromal symptoms until all lesions healed – Active viral shedding may occur even in the absence of symptoms – Inform potential sexual partners – Use condoms even while asymptomatic – Avoid oral-genital and oral-oral contact during “fever blister” (HSV infection on face/ around mouth) HSV • Herpes simplex virus I and II Treatment – Acyclovir, Famciclovir, Valacyclovir • Higher doses more frequently during outbreak • Lower doses less often as suppressive therapy • Natural therapies: – L-lysine - 500-1200 mg daily (preventative), and 1-5 grams daily during prodrome/outbreak – Anti-viral herbs: Lemon balm, Licorice, Lomatium – Healthy nutrition (low sugar, refined carb, healthy fats and proteins) Bacterial: Soft Chancre • Chancroid: soft ulcerative lesion on vulva – Initial lesion soft papule – Papule becomes pustule which then ulcerates, becomes painful and tender – Dirty, grey, nectotic, foul-smelling exudate • Haemophilus ducreyi: highly contagious • Short incubation period: 3-6 days • Needs opening through skin to infect: tissue trauma, excoriation • Conventional tx = Antibiotics *Rare in U.S. - more common in developing regions Chancroid Bacterial: Syphilis • Syphillis: complex systemic disease produce by Treponema pallidum • Cofactor in transmission and acquisition of HIV • “Great imitator” may present as many different diseases • Incubation period 10-90 days Syphilis • Primary syphilis – Hard chancre: painless ulcer on vulva, vagina, or cervix (5% on extragenital regions) • Usually solitary, red, round ulcer with firm, wellformed, raised edges, yellow-grey exudate • Heals spontaneously within 2-6 weeks • May be asymptomatic – Regional lymphadenopathy Syphilis • Secondary syphilis – Systemic spread via blood – 50% of untreated primary syphilis progresses to secondary – Other 50% becomes latent infection – Develops between 6 weeks and 6 months – Most infections during the first 2 years of dz – Symptoms: • Classic red rash on palms and soles • Condyloma latum: large, raised greyish-white areas on vulva 1° and 2° Syphilis Syphilis • Tertiary Syphilis – Develops is 33% of those not treated during primary, secondary, or latent phases – Destructive effects on CNS, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems • • • • • Optic atrophy Tabes dorsalis (degeneration of sensory neurons) Generalized paresis Aortic aneurysm Gumma of skin and bones (abscess with obliteration of small vessels and necrosis) Syphilis • Diagnosis: – Serologic tests positive 4-6 weeks post exposure – Screening: VDRL, RPR tests inexpensive, easy to perform but non-specific (many false +) – Dark-field microscopy to confirm – CSF examination if any neurologic or ophthalmologic signs or symptoms, HIV infection – Test for HIV infection Syphilis • Syphilis Treatment: – IM Penicillin • Titers should be measured in 6 and 12 months – Tetracycline or Doxycycline if penicillin allergy – Evaluation and treatment of sexual partners Bacterial: TSS • Toxic shock syndrome – Acute, febrile illness produced by bacterial exotoxin (S. aureus) – Involves multiple organ systems – 50% cases sequelae of focal skin infection (usu. post surgery or procedure) – 50% of cases are menses related • History of foreign object in vagina (tampon, diaphragm) TSS • TSS requirements for illness development: – Colonization or infection with Staphyloccocus aureus – Bacterial production of TSS toxin-1 – Toxins need route of entry into systemic circulation • Micro-ulcerations from tampons may provide toxin’s entry into systemic circulation TSS • TSS symptoms – – – – Unexplained fever after menses Rash after menses Prodromal flulike illness first 24 hrs High fever with headache, myalgia, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, generalized skin rash, hypotension – Rash: first appears as intense sunburn, becoming macular after 48 hrs, then flaky desquamation of skin over face and trunk – Tenderness of external genitalia TSS • TSS Diagnosis: • Culures of vagnia, cervix, and blood • Rule out Rocky Mountain spotted fever, scarlet fever, leptospirosis • Treatment: – Requires ICU care – IV antibiotics, fluids, steroids for severe cases