title: Use of the VS-sense swab in diagnosing vulvovaginitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although pH assessment of vaginal secretions is beneficial for diagnosing vaginitis, it is not commonly done. The purpose of this study was to determine the performance characteristics of the VS-Sense (pH test) swab (Common Sense, Ltd., Caesarea, Israel) in augmenting the diagnosis of vaginitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively studied 193 women with acute vulvovaginal symptoms and 74 asymptomatic controls at three medical centers. The VS-Sense swab was administered intravaginally, and results were interpreted by a nurse. These results were compared with final clinical and laboratory diagnoses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In women with an elevated pH caused by bacterial vaginosis (BV), trichomonas, and other types of vaginitis, the VS-Sense test sensitivity and specificity were 82.3% (102 of 124) (95% CI 74.4%-88.5%) and 94.2% (129 of 137) (95% CI 88.8%-97.4%), respectively. There was an 86.2% (95% CI 81.3%-90.1%) overall agreement between pH paper and VS-Sense swab results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VS-Sense test offers an alternative approach to measuring vaginal pH with nitrazine paper. Use of this simple, more rapid test may facilitate the diagnosis of vulvovaginitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Jack D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sobel
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nyirjesy
authors.forename: Hadar
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kessary
authors.forename: Daron G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Ferris
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology*; D014848:Vulvovaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult