Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common condition among women, with approximately one third of those between 14 and 49 years of age screening positive for BV. A similar proportion of postmenopausal women also screen positive for BV.
Aim of the Work: To investigate the relation between the bacterial vaginosis and caesarean wound infection.
Patients & Methods: This is a prospective study was performed on total 200 pregnant women prepared for elective emergency cesarean section and be conducted in Obstetrics & Gynecology department, Al-Materia Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, to investigate whether the intermediate or definite stages of BV are risk factors for postoperative wound infection after caesarean section starting from October 2020 till August 2021.
Results: Cesarean wound infection was significantly more frequent among bacterial vaginosis group related to the control. The association of BV with postoperative infections is further supported by the isolation of BV related organisms such as G. vaginalis from patients with post-hysterectomy cuff infections. Also, Cesarean wound infection occurred before discharge in 56.8% of patients in bacterial vaginosis group.
Conclusion: Bacterial vaginosis is a major public health problem prevalent in pregnant women and associated with surgical site infection. Screening women for BV prior to cesarean section can contribute to further reducing postoperative infections in a safe and cost-effective manner.