Final answer:
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the infection of the vagina by Gardnerella vaginalis, which occurs due to an imbalance in the normal vaginal microbiota. It is characterized by overgrowth of bacteria without inflammation. Gardnerella vaginalis is the major causative agent of bacterial vaginosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The infection of the vagina by Gardnerella vaginalis is known as bacterial vaginosis (BV). Bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance in the normal vaginal microbiota, resulting in an overgrowth of bacteria without necessarily causing inflammation. The major causative agent of bacterial vaginosis is Gardnerella vaginalis, a gram-variable to gram-negative bacterium.