OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to examine the role of microscopy using stained smears for diagnosis of vulvovavaginal infections: DESIGN: Description of different scoring systems. SETTINGS: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, First Medical Faculty, Charles University; General Teaching Hospital, Prague; Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine; Clinical Microbiology and Antibiotic Center, First Medical Faculty, Charles University. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Presentation of our practical skills in microscopic diagnoses of vulvovaginal infections. CONCLUSIONS: Vulvovaginal infections are a common problem which we encounter in daily gynaecological practice. Microscopic examination represents the gold standard in the diagnosis of vulvovaginal infections. However, providing microscopy in an outpatient setting is very time-consuming. The vaginal smear can be sent to a laboratory to stain and to be microscopically examined under oil immersion. For this purpose we recommend taking two smears for Gram and Giemsa stain and combining microscopical examination with cultures for detecting the presence of Candida species and for Trichomonas vaginalis. Where appropriate, it is also necessary to obtain cervical smears for detection of C. trachomatis and N. gonnorhoeae infection.

Gynekologicko porodnická klinika VFN a 1 LF UK Praha