Clinic diagnosis of anaerobic vaginosis (non-specific vaginitis). A practical guide.

Anaerobic vaginosis (non-specific vaginitis) can be readily diagnosed at the time of first attendance without recourse to expensive and time-consuming laboratory investigations. Diagnosis is based on careful history-taking, clinical examination, and simple investigations in the clinic. Although the presence of a malodorous vaginal discharge and the finding of clue cells on microscopy (in the absence of Trichomonas vaginalis) are sufficient for the diagnosis, a positive amine test and a vaginal pH of more than 5.0 are useful confirmatory tests.