Evaluation of a sensitized latex particles-based agglutination method for Gardnerella vaginalis diagnosis

[摘要] Background: Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most prevailing gynaecological infections associated to obstetric and gynaecological problems such as preterm deliveries, low birhtweight, premature rupture of ovular membranes, postpartum endometritis, pelvic inflammation and risk of sterility, among others.Objective: to increase the quality of diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis.Methods: latex agglutination technique was evaluated for Gardnerella vaginalis diagnosis by using a reagent produced at the Diagnosing Media plant of the National Center of Agricultural Health(known as CENSA) and 500 vaginal smears from females who went for testing to the microbiology department of "Diez de Octubre" maternal and child hospital from February to July,2004.Results: the evaluated technique showed 98.05% sensitivity and 89.02% specificity rates when compared to three of the four Amsel et al´s criteria for bacterial diagnosis in 1983, supplemented by the Gram staining method. The overall value of this test was 91.80 %. The patients aged 20-24 years showed the highest incidence rate of infection, with 28,04 % positive samples to this pathogen. Gardnerella vaginalis was detected in 37.8 % of the studied specimens through the latex technique.Conclusion: this technique was rapid and simple; it was performed at the gynaecological service offices by the paramedic staff, and thus, the specific treatment to be followed for this illness was quickly determined.

[学科分类] 传染病学

[关键词] : Gardnerella vaginalis;diagnosis;latex agglutination