THE DIAGNOSTIC ROLE OF MICROBIOLOGICAL TESTS IN BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS
Keywords:
bacterial vaginosis (BV), vaginal microbiome, Nugent score, Amsel criteria, Gardnerella vaginalis, Lactobacillus depletion, molecular diagnostics, clue cells.Abstract
This thesis investigates the critical diagnostic value of microbiological and molecular testing in the identification and management of bacterial vaginosis (BV). By evaluating traditional clinical criteria alongside standard Gram stain scoring and modern multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, the study highlights the necessity of accurate microbiological profiling. The findings demonstrate that relying solely on clinical symptoms is often inadequate due to overlapping presentations with other forms of vaginitis. The study underscores that precise microbiological diagnostics—specifically the Nugent score and molecular quantification of anaerobic flora—are essential for targeted antimicrobial therapy and the prevention of obstetric and gynecological complications.
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