Bacterial vaginosis is characterized microbiologically by replacement of the Lactobacillus-
predominant vaginal flora by Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteroides species, Mobiluncus
species, and genital mycoplasmas. A standardized, laboratory-based diagnostic test for
bacterial vaginosis is desirable in those instances in which a microscope is unavailable in
the clinic or when the evaluator of the wet mount examination is inexperienced at
recognizing clue cells. Vaginal cultures have excellent sensitivity for the diagnosis of …