Isolation of Gardnerella vaginalis in pure culture from the uterine cavity of patients with irregular bleedings

Hysterectomy was performed in three patients because of persistent irregular vaginal bleeding. Before the operation samples were taken from the cervical os for cultivation of Gardnerella vaginalis, yeasts, viruses, Chlamydia trachomatis, and aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Immediately after the operation, the uterus was opened under sterile conditions and samples obtained from the isthmus and fundus of the uterine cavity were examined microbiologically. In all three patients G. vaginalis was grown in pure culture from the fundus. Serum antibody titres against G. vaginalis were significantly raised in all three patients, and histology revealed mononuclear cells in the endometrium. The isolation of G. vaginalis from the endometrium of patients with clinical and histological signs of inflammation and with antibodies to G. vaginalis in serum indicates that the organism may play a causative role in endometritis.