ACCURACY OF CERVICAL VAGINAL CYTOLOGY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS/

Background and Objectives: The cytological pattern of bacterial vagino sis (BV) in the Papanicolaou smear has a controversial history (coccoi d vs. Gardnerella type) that has not allowed an efficient use of cervi cal/vaginal cytology in the diagnosis of this condition. Our study is an attempt to clarify this topic. Goals: To evaluate the accuracy of c ervical/vaginal cytology in the diagnosis of BV. Study Design: 1,896 s eparate examinations were performed on 1,471 women attending our sexua lly transmitted diseases center between 1990 and 1993, Amsel's composi te clinical criteria were used as a gold standard. The Pap smear was p repared on two slides with the addition of a vaginal specimen. Results : In the 166 cases of BV, sensitivity is 88.7%, and specificity is 98. 8%. Positive predictive value is 89.8, and negative predictive value i s 98.7. Kendall's correlation coefficient is 0.88 (p < 0.001). Conclus ions: Our findings support the validity of the vaginal Pap smear in di agnosing BV and suggest the screening of such a disease.