Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of microscopic and cultural findings in the diagnosis ofGardnerella vaginalis infection

  • Published:
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The diagnosis ofGardnerella vaginalis infection on the basis of microscopic and cultural findings was compared. A total of 340 specimens of vaginal secretion were Gram stained and plated on a medium selective forGardnerella vaginalis. Positive culture was obtained in 165 cases. Microscopy was unequivocally positive in 95, doubtful in 58 and negative in 187. Positive microscopy was confirmed by culture in 99%. On the other hand, 21% of (he negative microscopy results gave a false negative diagnosis. Specimens for which microscopy was doubtful were culture positive in 53% of the cases, including 12% with heavy growth. Thus, positive microscopy proved to be sufficient for a reliable diagnosis ofGardnerella vaginalis infection. However, in specimens with negative or doubtful microscopic findings, additional culture is recommended.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gardner, A. L., Dukes, C. D.: Clinical and laboratory effects of metronidazole. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1964, 89, 990–995.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Balsdon, M. J., Taylor, G. E., Pead, L., Maskell, R.:Corynebacterium vaginale and vaginitis: a controlled trial of treatment. Lancet 1980, i: 501–503.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Dunkelberg, W. E.: Diagnosis ofHaemophilus vaginalis by gram-stained smears. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1965, 91: 998–1000.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Frampton, J., Lee, Y.: IsHaemophilus vaginalis a pathogen in the female genital tract? Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the British Commonwealth 1964, 71: 436–442.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Pheifer, T. A., Forsyth, P. S., Durfee, M. A., Pollock, H. M., Holmes, K. K.: Non-specific vaginitis. Role ofHaemophilus vaginalis and treatment with metronidazole. New England Journal of Medicine 1978, 298: 1429–1434.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Åkerlund, M., Mårdh, P.-A.: Isolation and identification ofCorynebacterium vaginale (Haemophilus vaginalis) in women with infections of the lower genital tract. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 1974, 53: 85–90.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Lapage, S. P.:Haemophilus vaginalis and its role in vaginitis. Acta Pathologica et Microbiologica Scandinavica 1961, 52: 34–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Levison, M. E., Trestman, I., Quach, R., Sladowski, C., Floro, C. N.: Quantitative bacteriology of the vaginal flora in vaginitis. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1979, 133: 139–144.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Wells, J. I., Goei, S. H.: Rapid identification ofCorynebacterium vaginale in non-purulent vaginitis. Journal of Clinical Pathology 1981, 34: 917–920.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Totten, P. A., Amsel, R., Hale, J., Piot, P., Holmes, K. K.: Selective differential human blood bilayer media for isolation ofGardnerella (Haemophilus) vaginalis. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1982, 15: 141–147.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Dunkelberg, W. E., Skaggs, R., Kellogg, D. S.: A study and new description ofCorynebacterium vaginale (Haemophilus vaginalis). American Journal of Clinical Pathology 1970, 53: 370–377.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Bramley, H. M., Dixon, R. A., Jones, B. M.:Haemophilus vaginalis (Corynebacterium vaginale, Gardnerella vaginalis) in a family planning clinic population. British Journal of Venereal Diseases 1981, 57: 62–66.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Smith, R. F., Rodgers, H. A., Hines, P. A., Ray, R. M.: Comparison between direct microscopic and cultural methods for recognition ofCorynebacterium vaginale in women with vaginitis. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1977, 5: 268–272.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Ison, C. A., Dawson, S. G., Hilton, J., Csonka, G. W., Easmon, C. S. F.: Comparison of culture and microscopy in the diagnosis ofGardnerella vaginalis infection. Journal of Clinical Pathology 1982, 35: 550–554.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Brewer, J. I., Halpern, B., Thomas, G.:Haemophilus vaginalis vaginitis. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gyneeology 1957, 74: 834–843.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Goei, S. H., Wells, J. I.:Corynebacterium vaginale in non-purulent vaginitis. Medical Journal of Australia 1981, i: 470–472.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical Microbiology, Technical University, Ismaningerstr. 22, 8000, Munich 80, Germany

    D. Milatovic, K. Machka, R. V. Brosch, H. J. Wallner & I. Braveny

Authors
  1. D. Milatovic
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. K. Machka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. V. Brosch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. H. J. Wallner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. I. Braveny
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Milatovic, D., Machka, K., Brosch, R.V. et al. Comparison of microscopic and cultural findings in the diagnosis ofGardnerella vaginalis infection. Eur. J, Clin. Microbiol. 1, 294–297 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02019974

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02019974

Keywords

Search

Navigation