Gardnerella vaginalis in the urinary tract: incidence and significance in a hospital population.

The significance of Gardnerella vaginalis in urine was studied by comparing urine culture results, urinalysis data, and clinical findings. Over a two-year period, G vaginalis was reported in 2.3% of all urine cultures. Of 72 patients with pure cultures (greater than 10(4) cfu/mL), 43 patients (59.7%) were found to have G vaginalis urinary tract infections. Furthermore, four of the infected patients had pyelonephritis. Symptoms associated with G vaginalis urinary tract infections varied, and pyuria was detected in only 58% of the cases. Conditions associated with G vaginalis urinary tract infection included a history of recurrent urinary tract infections and/or instrumentation and upper urinary tract disease.