Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and their antibiotic susceptibility among women attending different private clinics in Tripoli, Libya

Background: Bacterial vaginosis is a worldwide issue due to the raised risk of acquisition of sexually transmitted infections. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of bacterial vaginosis and their antimicrobial pattern in women attending different private clinics in Tripoli, Libya. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 204 women between January and October 2020. Gram-stained vaginal swabs were examined microscopically, characterized by colony morphology, and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was determined. Results: The overall prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was 41%. Out of 48 bacterial isolates, 76.1% were gram-positive and 23.8% were Gram-negative bacteria. The overall drug resistance level of gram-positive bacteria was high against penicillin, co-amoxiclav, and amoxicillin. Vancomycin and imipenem were the most active drugs against Gram-positive bacteria. High level of drug resistance of Gram-negative bacteria against co-amoxiclav. Ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, and amikacin were the most active drugs against Gram-negative bacteria. Conclusions: The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was high. Routine culture of vaginal samples should be performed on patients with vaginitis and the drug susceptibility pattern of each isolate should be determined.