Original Article
Assessment of two alternative sample transport and fixation methods in the microbiological diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis
Author(s): Erica Eason*, Baldwin Toye, George A Wells and Mary Senterman
BACKGROUND: The standard method for specimen collection and transport for microbiological diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is an air-dried smear of vaginal secretions, promptly heat- or alcohol-fixed, Gram-stained and scored by Nugent’s criteria.
OBJECTIVE: Two alternative methods are evaluated: sending a swab in transport medium to be smeared and Gram-stained in the laboratory two days later; and sending a smear of vaginal secretions sprayed with cytological fixative to the laboratory for Gram staining seven days later.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-two women aged 18 years and older who attended a hospital colposcopy clinic or a community healthy sexuality clinic were studied. This was a prospective study: three vaginal swabs were taken from each patient and handled as desc.. Read More»
DOI:
10.4172/1488-5069.1000061
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