BVBLUE Test for Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Phramongkutklao Hospital
Permsak Sumeksri MD*, Chananan Koprasert MSc**, Suthee Panichkul MD, MSc***
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok 10400 ** Department of Microbiology, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400 *** Department of Military and Community Medicine, Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok 10400
Background : Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a disorder of the vaginal ecosystem characterized by a shift in
the vaginal flora form the normally predominated lactobacillus to one dominated by sialidase enzyme-
producing mixed flora.
Objectives : To compare the sensitivity of BVBLUE test for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis with Gram
stain by using Nugent score as a gold standard.
Materials and Methods : From April to June, 2004, a total of 173 pregnant women who received antenatal
care at Phramongkutklao Hospital had reached the study criteria. The speculum for this exam, used in the
process of collecting vaginal secretions, must not be lubricated with any lubricants. The vaginal discharge
was collected from the lower 1/3 of the vaginal wall. Gram stain score and BVBLUE test were
conducted and compared.
Results : 173 patients were enrolled in the present study. BVBLUE test was compared to the standard
method for the diagnosis of BV by Gram stain using Nugent score as a gold standard. The sensitivity,
specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value of BVBLUE test versus the Gram stain score
for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis were 94%, 96%, 96% 86%, and 98%, respectively.
Conclusion : BVBLUE test for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis had high sensitivity, specificity, accuracy,
positive and negative predictive value (94%, 96%, 96%, 86%, and 98%, respectively).
Keywords : Bacterial vaginosis, Gram stain, BVBLUE test
