CPT: 81513

Along with Candida vaginitis (CV) and trichomoniasis (TV), bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common causes of infectious vaginitis, among the most frequent conditions leading women to seek medical care. Women infected with bacterial vaginosis have a greater risk of acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea and herpes simplex virus (HSV). Risks also include the possibility of pelvic inflammatory disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including PROM (prelabor rupture of membranes), postpartum endometritis, preterm birth and spontaneous abortion.

Symptoms of infectious vaginitis typically include vaginal soreness, vaginal itching, pain during intercourse or while urinating, abnormal vaginal discharge and a “fishy” odor. As there are many different causes for these symptoms, molecular testing can help determine if there is a pathogenic infection.

This test detects bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), including Lactobacillus  (L. gasseri, L. crispatus, L. jensenii), Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae. This assay does not report results for individual strains, rather it reports a qualitative result for bacterial vaginosis.

Sample Stability: 7 days at 37°C and 50°C, 14 days at room temperature, as well as refrigerated and frozen temperatures.

Turnaround Time: 98% < 72 hours, 50% < 24 hours

Directorship: Cheryl Hanau, MD; Garth Ehrlich, PhD, FAAAS, FAAM; Donald Hall Jr., PhD; Yinghua Qiu, PhD, DABCC

 
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The information on these pages is provided for general information only and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for consultation with a physician or health care professional. If you have specific questions or concerns about your health, you should consult your health care professional.