The Effects of Blue Vitriol and Brimstone on Etiological Agents of Bacterial Vulvovaginitis

Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation of the vulva and/or the vagina which may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. It is a common public health problem that can affect women and girls of all ages. The study aimed at evaluating the effects of blue vitriol and brimstone on etiological agents of bacterial vulvovaginitis. One hundred high vaginal swab specimens were aseptically and properly collected from suspected cases of vulvovaginitis. Plates of nutrient agar and blood agar were inoculated and incubated aerobically at 25 oC for 24 hours. The isolates were identified based on their morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characteristics. The antimicrobial activity of blue vitriol and brimstone was determined using the agar-well diffusion method. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the test samples were determined using the broth dilution method. The isolates include Staphylococcus epidermidis, Eschericha coli, Lactobacillus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. The inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of blue vitriol against the isolates ranges from 30.00±0.00mm to 31.50±2.12mm at concentrations of 50mg/ml to 200mg/ml. The IZD of brimstone against the isolates ranges from 29.00±1.41mm to 11.00±0.00mm at concentrations of 50mg to 200mg/ml. The positive control, ciprofloxacin gave IZD of 17.50±2.12mm to 21.50±2.12mm. The MIC of blue vitriol against all the isolates was 12.50mg/ml; while the MBC ranges between 25mg/ml to 50mg/ml. The MIC of brimstone was 25mg/ml to 200mg/ml; while the MBC was 50mg/ml to 200mg/ml. Ciprofloxacin gave MIC and MBC ranging from 25mg/ml to 100mg/ml against all the isolates. The study has shown that natural compounds such as blue vitriol and brimstone are good antimicrobials; and could serve as substitutes to conventional antimicrobial agents in the treatment of bacterial vulvovaginitis. Keywords: Vagina, Vulva, Vulvovaginitis, Blue vitriol, Brimstone, Antimicrobials.