Comparison of vaginal culture and pap smear in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis

ABSTRACT

Background: Amongst the myriad of physiological and pathological conditions presenting as vaginal discharge, bacterial vaginosis is the most frequently encountered complaint in women of child bearing age, all over the world. It involves the replacement of normally predominant hydrogen-peroxide producing lactobacilli, by an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. We want to examine the diagnostic efficacy of Pap-Smear and vaginal culture in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, while Amsel's clinical criteria is used as the gold standard