title: Microbial flora in women showing symptoms of nonspecific vaginosis: applicability of KOH test for diagnosis.
abstract: The microbial flora of the vagina in 100 consecutive patients coming to a gynaecologist's office because of excessive and malodourous vaginal discharge was investigated. Anaerobic bacteria were detected in 66% of cases, and Gardnerella vaginalis in 59% of cases. Lactobacilli were present in 52% of cases, Candida in 19%, Chlamydia trachomatis in 6% and Trichomonas vaginalis in 5%. Among the anaerobic bacteria, various strains of Bacteroides or Fusobacteria were the most common. The positive predictivity of KOH test varied from 86 to 98%. Its specificity was equally good, but its sensitivity was lower, in the range 66 to 76%.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D005673:Fusobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D006878:Hydroxides; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D006878:Hydroxides; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D011188:Potassium; C029943:potassium hydroxide