Which organism is most strongly associated with bacterial vaginosis diagnosed by Nugent scoring?

Which organism is most strongly associated with bacterial vaginosis diagnosed by Nugent scoring?

• A. Trichomonas vaginalis
• B. Gardnerella vaginalis
• C. Lactobacillus crispatus
• D. Candida albicans

Answer: (B)

Nugent scoring uses a Gram-stain view of vaginal flora to diagnose bacterial vaginosis by comparing the relative amounts of lactobacilli to BV-associated morphotypes. In BV, lactobacilli are depleted while organisms like Gardnerella vaginalis (and related Bacteroides morphotypes) increase, often with Mobiluncus as well. The pattern with reduced lactobacilli and increased BV-associated morphotypes yields a high Nugent score, making the finding most strongly linked to Gardnerella vaginalis. Gardnerella vaginalis is the organism most commonly and consistently associated with BV in this scoring system. In contrast, Lactobacillus crispatus is part of healthy vaginal flora, Candida albicans points to candidiasis, and Trichomonas vaginalis points to trichomoniasis.

Nugent scoring uses a Gram-stain view of vaginal flora to diagnose bacterial vaginosis by comparing the relative amounts of lactobacilli to BV-associated morphotypes. In BV, lactobacilli are depleted while organisms like Gardnerella vaginalis (and related Bacteroides morphotypes) increase, often with Mobiluncus as well. The pattern with reduced lactobacilli and increased BV-associated morphotypes yields a high Nugent score, making the finding most strongly linked to Gardnerella vaginalis.

Gardnerella vaginalis is the organism most commonly and consistently associated with BV in this scoring system. In contrast, Lactobacillus crispatus is part of healthy vaginal flora, Candida albicans points to candidiasis, and Trichomonas vaginalis points to trichomoniasis.