What is the most appropriate treatment for a 17-year-old girl with a foul-smelling vaginal discharge and presence of clue cells?

In a case involving a 17-year-old girl with foul-smelling vaginal discharge and the presence of clue cells, the most appropriate treatment is Metronidazole, specifically the regimen of 500 mg orally twice daily for 7 days. This treatment approach targets bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is often associated with the presence of clue cells on microscopic examination. Clue cells are vaginal epithelial cells that have a stippled appearance due to the presence of bacteria, and their presence is a hallmark of BV.

Metronidazole is effective against the anaerobic bacteria that are typically involved in this condition. The extended full 7-day course ensures that the bacterial overgrowth is adequately treated, reducing the likelihood of recurrence and complications. While a single 2 g dose of Metronidazole can also be effective, the longer course is often preferred to improve treatment success and minimize potential side effects for patients presenting with more significant symptoms or symptoms that have persisted.

In this context, other treatments would not adequately address the underlying issue of bacterial vaginosis. Benzathine penicillin G is not effective for bacterial vaginosis, as it primarily targets infections caused by certain bacteria such as syphilis. Fluconazole is an antifungal that treats