Detection of Candida vaginitis by a dipstick method

A media impregnated polystyrene strip was tested for its ability to detect Candida in vaginal secretions. Of 230 patients with vaginitis, 20 were positive for Candida when the gram stain, routine culture, and Microstix-Candida (M-C) were used. Routine culture alone detected 17 cases, while the M-C alone detected 14 cases. Although this test system should not be used as a primary laboratory diagnostic tool, its use as an office or clinic screening test for vaginal candidiasis is recommended.