Bacterial Vaginosis and routine Candidiasis are diagnosed clinically:

Management of vaginal discharge | CKS | NICE

Guidelines | BASHH

Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT) is available for Trichomonas Vaginalis, Chlamydia Trachomatis, Neisseria Gonorrhoeae and Herpes Simplex Virus - see Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

HVS specimens are not routinely processed for Candida speciation and susceptibility testing, although this can be performed in the context of recurrent episodes of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) (>/= 4 per year).

Recurrent VVC is usually not due to antifungal resistance. GUM referral is recommend if recurrent VVC is suspected.

Oxford (Churchill Hospital) clinic - Sexual Health Oxfordshire

Samples from the following categories or with the following clinical details will have a bacterial culture:

  • Semen
  • Females under 15 years of age
  • Blood loss / intramenstrual bleeding / spotting / post coital bleeding
  • Abdominal pain
  • Cervicitis
  • Dyspareunia
  • Endometriosis
  • Pregnant
  • Labour
  • Miscarriage / termination of pregnancy
  • Postnatal
  • Postoperative
  • Preoperative
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease
  • Recent IUCD insertion
  • Recurrent infection / treatment failure
  • Recurrent (4 or more episodes per year) Candidiasis
  • Septic abortion / intrauterine death
  • Symptoms not characteristic of Candidiasis or Bacterial Vaginosis

Sample type

For bacterial culture:

  • high or low vaginal swab
  • cervical swab
  • semen sample

Specimen requirements

Swabs should be sent in ∑-TRANSWAB® (MWE) (purple top); if unavailable use Amies medium black top swab

Semen samples should be sent in a sterile universal container

Minimum volume

N/A

Frequency of test

Daily

Turnaround time

5 days

What to request on EPR

Genital swab MCS