Bacterial vaginosis: a diagnostic approach.

Introduction Bacterial vaginosis is the commonest cause of abnormal vaginal discharge in Western countries. It is a mild condition which nevertheless can cause considerable inconvenience. There is the possibility that the organisms associated with vaginosis may be associated with preterm labour. Bacterial vaginosis is still poorly understood and there is confusion both about how it should be diagnosed and the role of the microbiology laboratory. In order to dispel some of this confusion we have reviewed the aetiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and made recommendations on the diagnostic procedures appropriate for genitourinary medicine and gynaecology clinics and for general practitioners. The microbial flora of the vagina in normal women12 and those with bacterial vaginosis3 have recently been reviewed and will not be discussed in depth in this article.