The identification of Gardnerella vaginalis.

In an attempt to develop a rapid identification system for Gardnerella vaginalis that could be used in a clinical microbiologic laboratory, we examined 102 samples of vaginal discharge from women with symptoms of vaginitis. Gardnerella vaginalis was obtained from 77 of 102 cases. We found a combination of six tests of particular value for distinguishing G. vaginalis from other catalase-negative coryneforms isolated from vagina.