[The value of vaginal swabs].
BACKGROUND
The use of culture of vaginal secretions by physicians and their use of microscopy of vaginal secretions were assessed.


METHODS
The study was conducted partly as a registration of all microbiological requests and reports from the Department of Clinical Microbiology in a selected period, and partly as a questionnaire sent to all general practitioners (GPs) and specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology in the county of Arhus.


RESULTS
In only 19% of 1,354 vaginal swabs received in a month could the findings lead to a specific antimicrobial treatment; 48% of these cases could be diagnosed by microscopy of vaginal secretions alone. Sixty-four per cent of the physicians returned the questionnaire. Half of the specialists and 60% of the GPs performed microscopy. Twenty-five per cent of the physicians treated patients solely on the basis of clinical symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
General culture of vaginal secretions has a limited clinical value. The diagnosis in patients complaining of vaginal discharge can often be made by microscopy. There is, however, a need for training GPs in microscopy, as well as specialists.
Helmig
R B
RB
Arhus Universitetshospital, Arhus Kommunehospital, klinisk mikrobiologisk afdeling.
Arpi
M
M
Møller
J K
JK
D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014626:Vaginal Smears