Chlamydial and gonococcal infections are rare causes of vaginal discharge

BMJ 1995;311:629 (2 September)

Letters

Chlamydial and gonococcal infections are rare causes of vaginal discharge

EDITOR,--It is unfortunate that the British Society for MedicalMycology lists chlamydial and gonococcal infections as partof the different diagnosis to be considered in the managementof vaginal discharge. While both may rarely cause frank cervicitisand thus be a direct cause of discharge, patients are much morelikely to have associated bacterial vaginosis (or, less commonly,trichomoniasis). It is frustrating that this list, with theimplication that gonorrhoea or chlamydial infection is a commondirect cause of vaginal discharge, constantly appears in articlesand textbooks. This misconception leads to requests for investigationsthat may be unnecessary and to inappropriate antimicrobial treatment.

Consultant physician Oxford Department of Genitourinary Medicine,Radcliffe Infirmary NHS Trust, Oxford OX2 6HE

A Edwards

Working Group of the British Society for Medical Mycology. Management of genital candidiasis. BMJ 1995;310:1241-4. (13 May.) [Abstract/Free Full Text]