BV (sialidase) activity: Enzyme activity test for use in the detection of vaginal fluid specimens for sialidase activity, an enzyme produced by bacteria associated with bacterial vaginitis, including Bacteroides spp, Prevotella spp, and Mobiluncus spp, and some G vaginalis. In a recent study, Bradshaw et al demonstrated the test to be 88% sensitive and 95% specific.

Vaginal yeast culture: Detect yeast in vaginal fluid.

Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis by NAA: Diagnosis of C trachomatis, N gonorrhoeae, and T vaginalis infections.

BV (sialidase) activity: Collecting specimens from the cervix should be avoided because (a) it might increase the risk to OB patients, and (b) cervical sialidase activity is usually higher than vaginal sialidase activity. Do not collect specimens from patients who have (a) used a vaginal cream or ointment product, (b) douched, or (c) used spermicides, vaginal lubricants, or feminine sprays within 72 hours of testing. If insufficient sample is collected or collected from a patient undergoing antimicrobial therapy, the test may yield a false-negative result.

Bradshaw CS, Morton AN, Garland SM, Horvath LB, Kuzevska I, Fairley CK. Evaluation of a point-of-care test, BVBlue, and clinical laboratory criteria for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. J Clin Microbiol. 2005 Mar; 43(3):1304-1308. PubMed 15750100

Garcia LS. Diagnostic Medical Parasitology. 4th ed. Washington, DC: ASM Press; 2001.

Leber AL, Novak SM. Intestinal and urogenital amebae, flagellates, and ciliates. Manual of Clinical Microbiology. 7th ed. Washington, DC: ASM Press;1999.

Rein MF. Trichomonas vaginalis. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, edsPrinciples and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingston; 2000.

Van Der Schee C, van Belkum A, Zwijers L, et al. Improved diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis infection by PCR using vaginal swabs and urine specimen compared to diagnosis by wet mount microscopy, culture, and fluorescent staining. J Clin Micro. 1999 Dec; 37(12):4127-4130. PubMed 10565943