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Laboratory:

Clinical Microbiology

Test Name:

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS/VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS, MICROSCOPY, GRAM STAIN, VAGINAL SWAB - Vaginal

Test Code: GVAG

Clinical Information:

Test Indications:
Symptomatic vaginal discharge, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or abnormal discharge on pelvic examination. THIS TEST SHOULD NOT BE PERFORMED ON ASYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS.

Recommendations: Testing for bacterial vaginosis should be limited to adult women and post-pubertal girls and should not be performed for women after menopause unless they are receiving hormone-replacement therapy. Testing will not be performed on women over 70 years of age. The performance characteristics of this test are not known for transgendered populations and results may be unreliable. To obtain the specimen, swab the fluid from the posterior fornix or vaginal vault with a sterile swab after removing excess discharge. The collection device for a provider collected specimen is the Copan ESwab Collection, Transport and Preservation System.

Self-collection of vaginal swabs is permissible. The swab and specific specimen collection information must be provided to the patient by the care provider; the care provider must ensure the patient clearly understands self-collection information before proceeding with collection. It is not appropriate for patients to present to a laboratory and request a swab for self-collection; such requests will be refused by the laboratory.

Self-collection applies ONLY to patients being assessed for bacterial vaginosis/yeast (a Copan M40 swab is acceptable for self-collected vaginal swabs for bacterial vaginosis/yeast) and Trichomonas (a second Copan M40 swab). Cervical sample self-collection is not possible; self-collected cervical samples for Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture will be rejected.

Patient Preparation Instructions:
Accurate patient identification must be made prior to sample collection.

Samples and requisitions must be labeled/completed in accordance with the Shared Health Specimen Acceptance Policy.

Collection Devices:

Preferred Device:	1 - Copan ESwab Collection, Transport and Preservation System - Specimens received in other collection devices will not be processed.
Alternate Device:	1 - Copan M40 Swab System Copan M40 Swab System Manufacturer: Sensor Health Products Inc., Cambridge, Ontario, Canada Catalogue #: - Self Collection Only

Specimens received in other collection devices will not be processed

Specimen Required:

Adult: Vaginal swab
Pediatric: Vaginal swab (for post-pubescent girls)
See "Vaginal culture" for pre-pubescent children.

Referral:

This test is performed concurrently with the test for vaginal candidiasis and both results with be reported for the specimen.

Requisition:

_SH Microbiology - Provincial Requisition (R250-10-06)

Reference Values:

A descriptive report will be provided. The report will indicate that the specimen stain is consistent with bacterial vaginosis, consistent with altered vaginal flora not meeting criteria for vaginosis or inconsistent with bacterial vaginosis.

Availability:

Daily