Comparison of Amsel’s Criteria, Nugent Score and Culture for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis

Abstract

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis is defined as an alteration in the vaginal microbiota that presents as foul smelling vaginal discharge. This syndrome not only leads to various adverse outcomes of pregnancy, but also increases the chances of acquisition of Human immunodeficiency virus by two fold. Aims: To compare Amsel’s criteria, Nugent score and culture for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional comparative study has been conducted in the Department of Microbiology. Total number of subjects included in the study was 130. Two high vaginal swabs were collected from each subject during speculum examination. Amsel’s criteria, Nugent score and culture were performed. Statistical Analysis: Results were analysed by Chi-square test using IBM-SPSS Statistics-22 statistical package. Result: Amsel’s criteria detected 35.38%, Nugent score identified 14.61% and culture found 16.15% of subjects as having bacterial vaginosis. Conclusion: Amsel’s criteria are useful as a bed side test, Nugent score is the appropriate diagnostic test and culture is to be reserved and performed in treatment failure cases.

Keywords

• high vaginal swab
• sexually active women
• vaginal discharge