Diagnostic procedures in vaginitis.

Ninety-seven vaginitis patients underwent a standardized direct method of examination. Bacterial vaginosis was found in 38.1%, Candida albicans in 24.7% and Trichomonas vaginalis in 13.4%. Low secretional pH values were never met in bacterial vaginosis and T. vaginalis cases. A fishy odor, present in bacterial vaginosis, was also found in almost half of the T. vaginalis cases. Endocervical bacteriological cultures are probably insufficient with respect to the detection of C. albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis. However, we found 12.4% Chlamydia trachomatis, which indicates that endocervical bacteriology may be indicated in vaginitis patients.