Bacterial vaginosis has overtaken chlamydia as the leading infectious cause of cervicitis, researchers say, highlighting the importance of identifying underlying pathogens.

Their audit of more than 800 cervicitis cases at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre showed bacterial vaginosis (BV) detection increased from 32% to 45% in the decade to 2021 despite no change in testing rates.

Chlamydia, traditionally considered one of the leading cause of cervicitis, accounted for just a fifth of cases overall. 

Patients under 24 were 40% less likely to have chlamydial cervicitis than those over 24.