Use of DNA hybridization to detect vaginal pathogens associated with bacterial vaginosis among asymptomatic pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether microbial DNA hybridization is a useful method to study bacterial vaginosis in asymptomatic pregnant women.


METHODS
Vaginal specimens were collected at <26 weeks' gestation from 230 women, and analyzed for bacterial vaginosis by both Gram stain using Nugent criteria and DNA hybridization for Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella bivia, Bacteroides ureolyticus, and Mobiluncus curtisii. Results were analyzed using McNemar's paired test and chi-square test for trend, with significance set at P < .05.


RESULTS
By Gram stain, 60 (26.1%) of 230 were positive for bacterial vaginosis, and 134 (58.3%) were negative. By DNA hybridization, 99 (43%) were positive for at least 1 pathogen, and DNA results were significantly associated with Gram-stain results (P < .01). As the Nugent score progressed from normal to abnormal flora, the proportion with >1 pathogen detected by DNA hybridization increased significantly (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
DNA hybridization may be a useful method to study shifts in vaginal flora during pregnancy.
Boggess
Kim A
KA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Trevett
Thomas N
TN
Madianos
Phoebus N
PN
Rabe
Lorna
L
Hillier
Sharon L
SL
Beck
James
J
Offenbacher
Steven
S
D004247:DNA; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
D004247:DNA