Vaginitis, Colpitis: Test and Diagnosis

Laboratory parameters of the 1st order – obligatory laboratory tests.

  • Amine test (Whiff test) – by sprinkling the vaginal secretion with a 10% potassium hydroxide solution typical fish odor (= amine colpitis).
  • Measurement of the pH of the vaginal secretion (vaginal secretion) [alkaline?]
  • Phase contrast microscopy of the vaginal secretion – living, unstained cells appear extremely low in contrast in the normal bright field microscope, these are well visualized by the phase contrast method

Laboratory parameters 2nd order – depending on the results of the medical history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification.

  • Bacteriological/mycological/virological culture – cultivation of bacteria/fungi from the vulva (entirety of external primary genital organs) and/or from vaginal secretions (vaginal secretions) in recurrent colpitids (recurrent vaginal infections).
  • Virus detection
    • Molecular genetic diagnostics (DNA or PCR): HIV (AIDS), herpes simplex virus type 1/2 (genital herpes), human papilloma virus (HPV; condylomata acuminata).
    • Other detection: herpes viruses:
      • From vesicle smear applied to a microscope slide. Determination of the virus type by fluorescence test using type-specific immune sera if necessary direct antigen test (fluorescence test).
      • Histologically after biopsy (fine tissue examination after a tissue biopsy).
      • Colposcopic (see below colposcopy): dabbing with 3% acetic acid (affected skin areas turn white).
      • Cytological smear (smear as part of the screening examination for early detection of cervical cancer).
  • Parasite detection (microscopic): crabs (pediculosis pubis), mites, oxyurans (pinworms), scabies (scabies), Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis).
  • Antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis, HSV type 1 u. 2, HIV, Treponema pallidum (TPHA, VDRL etc.) – due toexclusion of sexually transmitted infections.
  • Biopsy for histological examination
  • Cytology