Abstract
A scheme is proposed for biotyping Gardnerella vaginalis, based on detection of hippurate hydrolysis, beta-galactosidase (ONPG) and lipase, and fermentation of arabinose, galactose and xylose. Seventeen biotypes were found among 197 strains from asymptomatic women and patients with bacterial vaginosis (non-specific vaginitis). The distribution of biotypes was similar in both populations but some biotypes were found more frequently in patients. The proposed scheme is compared with those previously described.