Bacterial vaginosis (multiplex PCR)

Vaginal smear

exclusively from Eswab (vaginal swab) (M512)

Up to 30% of all women of childbearing age develop bacterial vaginosis (BV) at least once in their lives.
More than anything, the clinical symptoms of bacterial vaginosis (including an unpleasant fishy smell and greyish-white discharge) have a negative impact on the quality of life of women who experience the condition. What’s more, bacterial vaginosis can also increase the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection and of becoming infertile.

Bacterial vaginosis manifests itself as a disruption to the vaginal flora (dysbiosis), whereby useful bacteria such as Lactobacillus spp. are replaced with an overgrowth of harmful bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis or Atopobium vaginae.

The multiplex PCR test for bacterial vaginosis detects and quantifies microbes associated with healthy vaginal flora as well as those indicating bacterial vaginosis. The data is then fed into an analytical algorithm to calculate the probability that bacterial vaginosis is present.



The following results are possible:

- Physiological vaginal flora, no evidence of bacterial vaginosis.
- Deficiency of Lactobacillus spp. but no indication of bacterial vaginosis. Possible reasons for Lactobacillus spp. deficiency can be: low oestrogen levels (e.g. during menopause or in smokers), use of antibiotics, vaginal douching, genetic predisposition.
- Bacterial vaginosis possible. The diagnosis and treatment decision must be made in conjunction with the clinical symptoms.
- Clear evidence of bacterial vaginosis. Treatment of bacterial vaginosis is recommended in symptomatic patients and during pregnancy (AWMF S2k guideline STI).


In addition, the results for the bacteria analysed by the multiplex PCR are shown graphically at the end of each report (see example graphic below).