The Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol 16, Issue 1 83-92, Copyright © 1983 by Society for General Microbiology
The identification of Gardnerella vaginalis
E. Taylor and I. Phillips
A collection of 72 strains of catalase-negative gram-positive, -negative
and -variable cocco-bacilli isolated from samples of vaginal discharge from
women with non-specific vaginal infection was examined in an attempt to
develop an identification system for Gardnerella vaginalis that could be
used in a diagnostic laboratory. Carbohydrate fermentation tests were found
to be poorly reproducible and of little differentiating value. Enzyme tests
were found similarly unhelpful, as were many antibiotic-susceptibility and
chemical-inhibition tests. However, seven tests--susceptibility to
trimethoprim and two concentrations of metronidazole, growth in the
presence of 2% (w/v) sodium chloride and on nutrient agar, lactic acid
production from glucose and beta-haemolysis on human-blood agar--were used
successfully in this study to separate G. vaginalis from catalase-negative
coryneforms and lactobacilli. Of these tests, susceptibility to
trimethoprim and metronidazole together with beta-haemolysis on human blood
agar are the most likely to provide a rapid, accurate identification. A
possible identification scheme is outlined.
