Advances in diagnostic testing for vaginitis and cervicitis

An accurate diagnosis of vaginal and cervical infection is the key to proper treatment. New tests are available to aid in the diagnosis of both vaginitis and cervicitis. The systematic employment of traditional office tests provides an accurate diagnosis of vaginitis. Except for candidiasis, vaginal cultures generally are not helpful in the diagnosis of vaginitis. In contrast, cervical cultures greatly aid the diagnosis of cervicitis. New direct immunofluorescence monoclonal antibody tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays are generally more rapid but less accurate than culture for the identification of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis.