An evaluation of OSOM BV blue test in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is the foremost cause of abnormal vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age. It is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome[1-5], pelvic inflammatory disease[5,6], chorioamnionitis[2,5,7], endometritis[8] and increased susceptibility to Human Immunodeficiency Virus[9]. Routine diagnostic procedures require laboratory expertise. As the prevalence is high [10], patients usually do not have access to hospitals with microscopic facilities for correct diagnosis. Thus, the general approach of clinicians in management of patients with abnormal vaginal discharge is largely empirical and syndromic based upon naked eye examination of discharge which is less accurate. The failure of empirical therapy does not only cause financial and social impact but also lead to poor patient compliance as well as drug resistance. Conventional diagnostic methods such as gram staining based on Nugent scoring system[11] are popular. However, recently, OSOM BV blue test with almost equally efficacious, less time consuming and minimal technical expertise requiring is emerged for rapid diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. OSOM BV blue test is based on the principal of detection of bacterial sialidase activity (an enzyme produced by bacterial pathogens such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteroides spp., Prevotella spp., and Mobiluncus spp.) in vaginal discharge. A prospective study was performed to determine the efficacy of OSOM BV blue test as a diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis and compare it with the conventional methods, Amsel’s criteria and gram staining.