Evaluation of Various Diagnostic Strategies for Bacterial Vaginosis, Including a New Approach Based on MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common dysbiosis of unclear etiology but with potential consequences representing a public health problem. The diagnostic strategies vary widely. The Amsel criteria and Nugent score have obvious limitations, while molecular biology techniques are expensive and not yet widespread. We set out to evaluate different diagnostic strategies from vaginal samples using (1) a combination of abnormal vaginal discharge and vaginal pH > 4.5; (2) the Amsel-like criteria (replacing the "whiff test" with "malodorous discharge"); (3) the Nugent score; (4) the molecular quantification of Fannyhessea vaginae and Gardnerella vaginalis (qPCR); (5) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (we also refer to it as "VAGI-TOF"). Overall, 54/129 patients (42%) were diagnosed with B

SUBMITTER: Abou Chacra L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10821145 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature