Strawberry vaginitis is seen in which disease?

Bihar CHO - 2021

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Easy

Appeared in: Bihar CHO - 2021

Explanation

Strawberry vaginitis, or colpitis macularis, is a classic, though not always present, sign of trichomoniasis.
It is caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.
The 'strawberry' appearance results from punctate hemorrhages (tiny red spots) on the vaginal mucosa and cervix due to inflammation.
This sign is highly specific for trichomoniasis when observed during a speculum examination.

Option B: Amoeba proteus is a free-living amoeba commonly found in freshwater environments. It is not a human pathogen and does not cause vaginitis or any other known human disease.
Option C: Balantidium coli is the largest protozoan parasite that infects humans, causing an intestinal illness called balantidiasis, which is a form of dysentery. Its habitat is the large intestine, not the genitourinary tract.
Option D: Syphilis is a bacterial sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum. Its clinical presentation includes a painless chancre in the primary stage, a diffuse rash in the secondary stage, and severe systemic complications in the tertiary stage. It does not cause strawberry vaginitis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Etiology of Strawberry Vaginitis helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Recognizing the 'strawberry cervix' sign during a speculum exam is a strong visual indicator for suspecting trichomoniasis, prompting immediate testing and empirical treatment.
Patient education is critical, as trichomoniasis increases the risk of HIV transmission and can cause complications in pregnancy. Emphasize the importance of treating all sexual partners simultaneously to prevent reinfection.
What if? If a patient presents with a 'fishy' odor and thin, gray discharge but no strawberry cervix, the most likely diagnosis would be Bacterial Vaginosis, which is characterized by the presence of clue cells on microscopy.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key clinical sign mentioned in the question: 'Strawberry vaginitis'.
Recognize that this is a specific, pathognomonic term. The question is a direct recall of the disease associated with this sign.
Evaluate each option based on your knowledge of infectious diseases.
Recall that Trichomoniasis, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, is the classic cause of strawberry cervix/vaginitis.
Eliminate the other options by identifying their primary sites of infection and disease presentation: Amoeba proteus (non-pathogenic), Balantidium coli (intestinal), and Syphilis (systemic STI with chancre/rash).
Confirm that Trichomoniasis is the only plausible cause among the choices provided.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 2160-2162

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1849-1851

E6 Midwifery Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Sandeep Kaur p. 69-81