[Detection of bacterial vaginosis in gram stained vaginal smears and papanicolaou stained cervical smears].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV) by papanicolaou (PAP)-stained cervical smears and gram-stained vaginal smears according to clinical criteria.

METHODS

In the prospective study of 196 non-pregnant women of child-bearing age, 94 were clinically diagnosed to have BV. Gram-stained vaginal smears and PAP-stained cervical smears were collected from all enrolled patients.

RESULTS

In comparison with clinical diagnosis of BV, the sensitivity and specificity of gram-stained vaginal smears and PAP-stained cervical smears were 94.7% (89/94), 98.0% (100/102) 85.1% (80/94), and 95.1% (97/102). The characteristics of BV in gram-stained vaginal smears and PAP-stained cervical smears included small bacteria of Gardnerella and bacteroides morphotypes and curved gram variable rods and absence of bacteria of Lactobacillus morphotypes.

CONCLUSION

It is possible to screen and manage BV according to Gram-stained vaginal smears or PAP-stained cervical smears.