Comparison between clinical and laboratory diagnosis of vaginitis

Introduction: Vaginitis is inflammation and infection of vagina that has clinical
manifestations of malodour and profuse discharges, irritation, pruritis,
dyspareunia and leucorrhea. Vaginitis results from a complex micro organism
such as Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida, Gardneralla vaginalis, Neisseria
gonorrhoae, and genital mycoplasmas.
The physical examination and history provides information leading to diagnosis
but it is not sufficient and may lead to incorrect diagnosis, so in this study we
compared laboratory methods, gram stain, wet and culture of vaginal secretions,
with physical examination, symptoms and signs of patients in order to obtain
usefull a tool for diagnosis, management and treatment of vaginitis.
Methods: This analytical study was done in Bandar Abbas from Nov.2002 to
Feb.2004, on each woman referring to the health center with signs and symptoms
of vaginitis a gramstain, wet ma and culture of microorganisms was,
demographic. Socioeconomic data, drug use, number of baby, number of
pregnancy and other data was gathered with questionnaire. Statistical analysis was
done with Chi-square test and other descriptive methods.
Results: In bacterial vaginalis that was 18% of agents 88.7% of discharges was
white and others were gray, 64.7% were homogenous and lose and 70.5% with
no odor and PH was between 5-7.
In Candida which was 18% of agents, 99% of discharges were white, 58% patch
discharges, and 64.2% with no odor.
Conclusion: The result suggest that the most useful clinical tools for diagnosis is
the microscopic evaluation of vaginal discharges and physical examination helps
together information leading to diagnosis but history of patient has no relationship
with etiologic agents.