Final answer:
Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, leading to decreased lactobacilli and increased vaginal pH, and is commonly caused by G. vaginalis. It can increase the risk of preterm birth during pregnancy and is usually treated with antibiotics. A Gram stain for BV would show a dominance of G. vaginalis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition characterized by an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, which leads to a decrease in lactobacilli and an increase in vaginal pH. The most common causative agent is Gardnerella vaginalis, which can flourish when the population of Lactobacillus spp. decreases, causing vaginosis by attaching to vaginal epithelial cells and forming a biofilm. This condition can be asymptomatic or may cause symptoms such as a thin, white-to-yellow discharge, burning, odor, and itching.
Pregnancy, with its higher levels of hormones, can alter the microbiota composition in the vagina, leading to conditions like bacterial vaginosis. BV during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Treatment is often with antibiotics, and while the disease is usually self-limiting, recurrent or persistent infections can occur and require longer-term or intermittent treatment.
For Nadia, if she is experiencing BV, a Gram stain performed on her sample would likely show a predominance of G. vaginalis over the typical Lactobacillus population that is characteristic of a healthy vaginal microbiota.